Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 2.djvu/218

 �coAgt op tJm&. 197 the lee Of the point, Where Dampier fiescribes his having anchored in twenty-nine fathoms cle. F.b: .; sandy ground; but, upon rounding the projection, the wind suddenly fell, 'and, after a light squall. from S.W,, we had.a dead calm; the depth was thirty fathoms coral bottom, and therefore not. safe  anchor .upon; this was unfortunate, for tha sudden defection of the wind prevented our hauling into the bay out of .the tide, which was evidently running with considerable rapidity, and dritting us, without our having the means of preventing it, towards a duster of small rocks and islands, through which we could not .discover any outlet,. and which were so crowded, that in the dangerous predicament in which we found our, selves placed, they bore a truly awful and terrific appearance. At this time I was at my usual post, the mast-head, directing the steerage of the vessel.; but, as the brig was drifting forward by a rapid sluice of .tide towards some low rocks, about a quarter of a mile off, that were not more than two feet above the water's edge, and upon which it appeared almost inevitable that we must strike, I descended to the deck, under the certain conviction that we could not escape �the dangers that were strewed. across our path, unless a breeze should spring .up, of which there .was :not the slightest app .. ran� 9r probability.

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