Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/119

 cos, rs o. XA. 65 make annual visits to this part of the coast in large s& fleets, to fish for b'�l d ner. MarchS Among the relics were. old broken joints 'of bamboo, which the Ml_a_ys use to carry their wa- ter in, some worn out cord.age and a cocoa-nut, which had perhaps been left behind by accident. The traces appeared to be of so, recent a date, that we conjectured the fleet was but a short distance to the eastward of the islands, and as the easterly monsoon had commenced, we were naturally in daily expectation of being overtaken by them. Our operations, therefore, were hdrried, since we could not tell what might be the result of encountering them, as we were totally incapable of defending ourselves, should they be mischie- vously inclined. A look-out was therefore kept for their approach, and our people were held as much as possible within sight, so that we might be prepared to weigh and leave the place as soon as they should make their appearance. The hole which had been dug for water was half full, but it was so brackish as to be quite unfit for use. Upon further search a small pond was found by Mr Cunningham in a hollow, at the back of the beach; but in the course of the day a run of water was discovered by Boongaree, at the north Vo. I. F

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