oats upon
the reef and left them lying comfortably at anchor: a search for water
was instantly commenced; Mr. Walker's party brought some in and we were
not a little glad to get it, although we heard that it had been collected
by suction from small holes in the rock and then spitting it into the
keg. I laid up in store this precious draught, and those who had been
otherwise employed now accompanied me, in order that each might suck from
the holes in the rock his own supply of water. The point on which we had
landed was a flat piece of land covered with sandy dunes which appeared
to have been recently gained from the sea, and on all the landward sides
of the flat rose steep rocky cliffs, which is the character of the shores
of this island. After climbing these cliffs you arrive at a flat
tableland which forms the general level of the surface. It was evident
that at no very distant time the sea had washed the foot of these cliffs.

DORRE ISLAND. ITS CHARACTER.

This island is exactly of the same nature as Bernier Island, the only
difference being that the land here was rather higher than on the former.
From the top of the cliffs the prospect was not at all inviting; to the
westward lay the level and almost desert land of Dorre Island, which we
were on; we had the same prospect to the southward; to the northward we
looked over a narrow channel which separated us from the barren isle of
Bernier and was blocked up by fearful-looking reefs, on which broke a
nasty surf; to the north-eastward lofty bare sandhills were indistinctly
visible on the main; whilst to the eastward we could see nothing but the
waters of the bay, which were tossed wildly to and fro as if by a coming
storm; yet the wind had fallen perceptibly, and the only alarming sign
was the peculiar look of the sky. After having made these observations,
and sucked up as much bitter dirty water as I could contrive to do, I
returned with the others to the boats.

WANT OF WATER.

The holes we found the water in were so small that we could only dip a
spoon into a few of them; the men however got plenty to drink and then
commenced hunting a small species of kangaroo-rat which is found on these
islands, and searching for turtle's eggs, in both of which pursuits they
were very successful. We then made blazing fires from driftwood which we
found about, and retired early to rest.

A HURRICANE.

About eleven o'clock I heard a cry of one in great distress, "Mr. Grey,
Mr.