CHAPTER 16.

Progress to the Northward along the Coast of New Holland.
Land on different Islands in search of Supplies.

May 1789.

As we advanced within the reefs the coast began to show itself very
distinctly in a variety of high and low land, some parts of which were
covered with wood. In our way towards the shore we fell in with a point
of a reef which is connected with that towards the sea, and here we came
to a grapnel and tried to catch fish but had no success. The island
Direction at this time bore south three or four leagues. Two islands lay
about four miles to the west by north, and appeared eligible for a
resting-place, if for nothing more; but on our approach to the nearest
island it proved to be only a heap of stones, and its size too
inconsiderable to shelter the boat. We therefore proceeded to the next,
which was close to it and towards the main. On the north-west side of
this I found a bay and a fine sandy point to land at. Our distance was
about a quarter of a mile from a projecting part of the main, which bore
from south-west by south to north-north-west three-quarters west. We
landed to examine if there were any signs of the natives being near us:
we saw some old fireplaces but nothing to make me apprehend that this
would be an unsafe situation for the night. Everyone was anxious to find
something to eat, and it was soon discovered that there were oysters on
the rocks for the tide was out; but it was nearly dark and only a few
could be gathered. I determined therefore to wait till the morning, when
I should better know how to proceed, and I directed that one half of our
company should sleep on shore and the other half in the boat. We would
gladly have made a fire but, as we could not accomplish it, we took our
rest for the night, which happily was calm and undisturbed.

Friday 29.

The dawn of day brought greater strength and spirits to us than I
expected for, notwithstanding everyone was very weak, there appeared
strength sufficient remaining to make me conceive the most favourable
hopes of our being able to surmount the difficulties we might yet have to
encounter.

As there were no appearances to make me imagine that any of the natives
were near us I sent out parties in search of supplies, while others of
the people were putting the boat in order that we might be ready to go to
sea, in case any unforeseen cause should make it necessary. One of the
gudgeons of the rudder had come out in t