Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 2.djvu/219

 ,b. ;- swept us past the rocks without accident, and,- after carrying us about hu!_r s mile tber, changed its' dametim to south-east, and drifted us toward a narrow strait, separating two rocky islands, i the centre of which was s large. insulated ro' that seemed to divide the stream. 'The boat was now hoisted out and sent a-head w tow, but we Could not .succeed in getting the vessel's head und. -As she approached.the strait, the chan-- iiel became much narrower, and several islands. were passed, at not more than thirty yards om her course. The voices of natives were now heard, aud soon afterwards' .some were seen on either side of the strait, hallooing and raving their arms; we were so near to one party, that they might have thrown their spears On board; they had a dog with them, which Mr. Cunningham "remarked to be black. By fihis time, we were flying past the shore with Such vilociiy, that it made us quite giddy I and Vur situation was too awful to give us time'to observe the motions of the Indians; for we were ntering the narrowest part of the strait, and the iext moment were closi to the rock, which it ap. peared to be almost impossible to avoid; and ft' was. more than :'probable that the stream .it divid! wodld carry us broadside. upon it, wheit

�