Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/79

1832.] wives and children, also occupied portions of the time we were delayed here, which without employment, would have been tedious. In pleading with some of these people on the importance of a practical application of the doctrines of the Gospel, by those who profess to be christians, we desired them to judge of the corrupt state of their own hearts, at least, by that token which was obvious to others; viz., the practice of cursing and swearing. They took our counsel in good part; and whether changed from principle or not, became more circumspect.

There was something peculiarly interesting and affecting to my mind, in bringing the sound of the Gospel into this desolate part of the earth: where perhaps, since the days in which the world itself was called into existence, it was never before heard; and in proclaiming it as the message of mercy, to the people we brought with us—the only human beings in the place—whose hearts appeared to be as desolate as the hills by which we were surrounded.

5th mo. 29th. The wind having become more favourable, the sheep were brought on board, and while preparation was making for sailing, G. W. Walker and the carpenter landed me on one of the islets at the mouth of the harbour, to cut Native Parsley and a variety of shrubs for provender. This islet is composed of a substance resembling Asbestos, and is fronted on the inside by vertical veins of quartz. In the middle is a deep cove with a hole through to the outside, the surf beating against which forms a jet of spray within many feet high, resembling the blowing of a whale. We boarded the Tamar on her passage out, and were soon again at sea, where the fair wind failed, and we stood off the land for the night.

On the morning of the 30th, we had a view of Point Hibbs, and of a high, domed rock named the Pyramid. A series of heavy gales in the course of the four succeeding days, drove us far northward of our port. When we were laid to, the wind blew the topsail out of the bolt-rope, and while it was undergoing repair, we beat down the rocky coast with sails only just sufficient to enable us to keep off the shore. Scarcely anything was cooked during this period, and few