That
afternoon some noddies came so near the boat that one was caught. These
birds are about the size of a small pigeon; it was divided into eighteen
parts and given by lot. The men were much amused when they saw the beak
and claws fall to the lot of the captain. The bird was eaten, bones and
all, with bread and water, for dinner.

Now they were in calmer seas they were overtaken by a new trouble. The
heat of the sun became so great that many of them were overcome by
faintness, and lay in the bottom of the boat in an apathetic state all
day, only rousing themselves towards evening, when the catching of birds
was attempted.

On the morning of the 28th the sound of breakers could be heard plainly;
they had reached the Great Barrier Beef, which runs up much of the east
coast of Australia.

After some little time a passage nearly a quarter of a mile in width was
discovered through the reef, and they were carried by a strong current
into the peaceful waters which lie within the Barrier.

For a little time they were so overjoyed that their past troubles were
forgotten. The dull blue-grey lines of the mainland, with its white
patches of glaring sandhills, could be seen in the distance, and that
afternoon they landed on an island.

They found the rocks around it were covered with oysters and huge clams,
which could easily be got at low tide. Some of their party sent out to
reconnoitre returned greatly pleased at having found plenty of fresh
water.

A fire was made by help of a small magnifying-glass. Among the things
thrown into the boat from the ship was a small copper pot; and thus with
a mixture of oysters, bread, and pork a stew was made, and everyone had
plenty to eat.

The day after they landed was the 29th of May, the anniversary of the
restoration of King Charles II., and as the captain thought it applied
to their own renewed health and strength, he named it Restoration
Island.

After a few days' rest, which did much to revive the men, and when they
had filled all their vessels with water and had gathered a large supply
of oysters, they were ready to go on again.

As they were about to start everybody was ordered to attend prayers, and
as they were embarking about twenty naked savages came running and
shouting towards them, each carrying a long barbed spear, but the
English made all haste to put to sea.

For several days they sailed over the lake-like stillness of the Barrier
reef-bound waters, and past t