Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/425

 Rh nation of this part, we steered near the shore in order to improve it; but the land was much overcast, ant the summits of Bellenden Ker's Range were so enveloped in clouds, that very little improvement was effected.

A breeze, however, in the evening from S.E. dispersed the vapours that had collected during the day on the sea horizon. In passing outside of Fitzroy Island, a sand bank, situated nine miles E.½S. from the island, was noticed, and other banks were reported from the mast head; but on my going up, I saw nothing more than a bright appearance on the horizon, which is, however, an indication of their existence that seldom failed in being correct, whenever an opportunity offered of proving it.

Bearing up between. Cape Grafton and Green Island, we steered N.W.½N., by compass, to make the Low Isles in Trinity Bay. The weather was thick and misty with showers of rain; but as a sight of these islands was of consequence in crossing this bay, we continued to steer for them, and at midnight they were seen. This enabled us to direct the course with more confidence towards Cape Tribulation, over Captain Cook's track.

At daylight we were off the cape, and soon passed to the eastward of the Hope Islands;