Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 2.djvu/50

 OAS'rS OF AUrRAL. 33 up for our' guidance; but the weather-was so m. squally 'and thick, with almost constant rain, that it was not seen by us. �It was.'half. past twelve o'.dock when we made sail to the N.E,b.F_,, .deepening from fourteen to sixteen fatlmms, and when.the hillocky summit of Cairn- cross Island bore. S.b.W;, beyond which bearing we did not know how far we could proceed with safety;we tacked,to the S.S,W., and proceeded in. that, direction until the island. bore South, when we.werein.fourteen. fathoms. Having thus ascertained the depth of this space, which was about three miles in extent, it was occupied du'ring the rev, inder of the night; which, being very.dark and squally, was passed by us in.the greatest anxiety. At day-dawn we ,were joined by.our.compenions, and, as it was not.possible from the state of the weather to regain the anchors we had lost, made sail towards Turtle Island, on our way to which we'passed Escape River: both of these places remlrled us of. for- mer perils, ,but the .recollection of our provi- dential preservation on those occasions:  as well as on my others during our former voyages, increased the grateful feelings .which we now fdt'for our safety .and protection during the last night, the.anxieties and circu_m.tances.of.which can never be obliterated from,our.minds. �os. IL D

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