he
same state as the first, and we noticed that in several places the
timbers were burnt, most probably by the natives, or the crew
themselves, for the sake of the copper bolts.

What a number of melancholy recollections are awakened by the discovery
of a forgotten memorial of the past, such as this nameless wreck; and
if those old timbers could have spoken, what a strange record of hopes
unfulfilled, and high adventure unachieved, would have been disinterred
from the dark storehouse of the past! That the vessel came in her
present position by accident, could hardly be supposed. More probably,
having struck on the Barrier Reef, or on some of the hidden coral
shelves with which this sea abounds, she had been taken into this
secluded creek for repairs. Cook, the great circumnavigator, careened
his ship at a spot not far distant from this; but we were unanimously
of opinion that this vessel must have become embedded long prior to his
time. Not only was the framework some distance from the present bed of
the creek, but it was raised considerably above the water level. That
the eastern coast of Australia is slowly rising from the waves is well
known, for in the neighbourhood of Brisbane valuable reclamations have
been made within the memory of living men; but at least two centuries
must have elapsed to account for the altitude attained by this old
craft. Our regret was great at getting no more certain information,
but although we persevered in digging until sundown, no casket of
jewels, no bags of specie, and no mysterious parchments rewarded us;
and with the darkness we were compelled to abandon our search, rather
angry at having wasted several valuable hours to such little purpose.

As it would have been madness attempting to cross the bar before
daylight, we hauled the boat up on the beach, and made ourselves
comfortable for the night. About one o'clock, the trooper who was on
watch, awakened us with the news that there was a light out at sea. We
thought at first it could only be some blacks in their canoes, spearing
fish by torchlight, but it gradually drew nearer and nearer, until at
last we could distinguish the distant sound of voices, and the faint
rattle of the iron cable as it flew out through the hawse-hole.

"Some coasting craft, I suppose," said Dunmore.

"Most probably, but we shall find out in the morning;" and we were soon
again in the land of dreams.

Before daylight we had finished breakfast, a