Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/110

74 in blue festoons, among the bushes, in all parts of V. D. Land.

2nd. The wind continuing adverse, the cutter remained at anchor. Some of the men procured another Black Swan and some eggs. I took a solitary walk among the hills, in the course of which I was brought into close self-examination, and given to feel afresh the importance of watchfulness and prayer, and of the continued exercise of faith in Christ; thus the traversing of the uninhabited wilds, to observe the works of Him, whose all-seeing eye beholds us in the deepest solitudes, as well as in the most crowded haunts of men, was made conducive to my spiritual advantage.

3rd. This morning I took three fine Flat-heads, which, with a Swan's egg, contributed toward an abundant breakfast: the latter is rather inferior to the egg of a common fowl. In the forenoon the anchor was weighed, and sail made; but just when we got near the outside of the passage, the wind failed, and left us drifting from side to side for several hours, so that it was necessary from time to time, to tow the head of the vessel round by means of a boat, to keep her from drifting against the terrific, granite rocks, which are too perpendicular to allow of anchorage near them. The dangers of a calm do not appear to be much less in such a situation, than those of a storm. Though no one expressed fear, anxiety was marked on many countenances, during this time of suspense, from which we were at length favoured to be relieved by the turn of the tide, which carried us out to sea.

7th. During the last three days, we have been beating up the coast against a contrary wind. Yesterday the brig Helen, from the Isle of France to Sydney, with sugar, sent a boat to the Charlotte, and obtained a bag of biscuit, having run short of this necessary article. A Right Whale, a shark, and numerous flocks of birds, were seen. The flocks of Mutton-birds sometimes formed dense lines near the horizon, that might have been mistaken for rocks or land. Their flight is usually low; they move their wings smartly a few times, and then soar with them motionless for a