ran along the shore until I found a convenient
landing-place about a mile and a half to the south of our old one.

CHANGE IN THE LAND.

It was perfectly sheltered by reefs and an island, but it surprised me
that I had not remarked this cove on my previous visit to the island, and
I was still further astonished to see now three new small rocky islands,
of which I had no recollection whatever. Indeed the men all for a long
time stoutly denied that this was Bernier Island and, had we not now
sighted Kok's Island, I should have doubted my skill in navigation and
made up my mind that I had fallen into some strange error; but as it was
forebodings shot across my wind as to what pranks the hurricane might
have been playing upon the island, which consisted of nothing but loose
sand heaped upon a bed of limestone rock of very unequal elevation.

I ran in my own boat upon a convenient point of the beach and the other
boat followed in safety, for I did not like, in such foul weather, to
leave them at anchor on a lee shore, which had previously proved so
unsafe a position. A most awkward question now presented itself to my
consideration: from the altered appearance of the coast I felt very
considerable doubts as to the state in which the depot might be found;
supposing anything had occurred to it I felt that it would be unadvisable
that such a discovery should be made in the presence of many persons; as
future discipline would in a great measure depend upon the first
impression that was given. Who, then, had I better select for the purpose
of visiting the depot in the first instance? After some deliberation I
made choice of Mr. Smith and Corporal Coles, in the courage,
disinterestedness, and self-possession of both of whom I placed great
confidence. I directed Mr. Walker to see certain little alterations made
in the boats before the men were allowed to straggle; these I knew would
occupy them for some time and leave me therefore during this interval
free to think and act according to circumstances. I now called Mr. Smith
and Corporal Coles to accompany me, and told Coles to bring a spade with
him.

DESTRUCTION OF THE DEPOT OF PROVISIONS. SYMPTOMS OF CALAMITY.

Before we had gone very far alarming symptoms met my eyes in the form of
staves of flour casks scattered about amongst the rocks, and even high up
on the sandhills. Coles however persisted that these wore so far inland
that they could only have come from the flour casks w