Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/346

 24 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL obliged to steer to the north-west along the edge of this ,bank. At about four _miles further on, we were again upon the bank, in four fathoms, and once more fortunately escaped getting on shore; an accident which must have been fatal. To avoid this, we hauled up north-east, and soon got into clear water; but fearing to encounter more of these overfalls, we steered north-east for three miles, five miles N.N.W., and one and a quarter north-west, upon which courses our soundings were between twelve and fifteen fathoms; the bottom being generally hard sand mixed with coral and stones, and oten with rocks. We then steered west for four miles, and supposing we had cleared the shoal, hauled in S.S.W. until dark; by which time we had run seven miles. Although the evening was clear, the horizon over the land was so covered with the smoke of the natives' fires, that it could not be discovered, nor any anchorage found: we therefore hauled off for' the night, and from our vicinity to this dangerous shoal passed it v.ery anxiously, but happily with- out any unpleasant occurrence. I now gave up all idea of examining the open- ing round Point Pearce, which appeared of so interesting a character. The danger of remio- ing under weigh (for our only anchor could ot

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