ly
reduced to 2 ounces, to half an ounce of portable soup, to half an ounce
of essence of malt, (but these two articles were not served until after
we left the key, and they were at other times withheld), to two small
glasses of water and one of wine.

On the afternoon of the 30th sent a boat to the wreck to see if anything
could be procured. She returned with the head of the T.G. mast, a little
of the T.G. rigging, and part of the chain of the lightning conductor,
but without a single article of provision. The boat was also sent to
examine the channel through the reef &c. and was afterwards sent
a-fishing. She lost her grapnel, but no fish were caught.

On the 31st the boats were completed and were launched, and we put
everything we had saved on board of them and at half past ten in the
forenoon we embarked, 30 on board the launch, 25 in the pinnace, 23 in
one yawl and 21 in the other yawl.[75-1] We steered N.W. by W. and W.N.W.
within the reef. This channel through the reef is better than any
hitherto known, besides the advantage it has of being situated further
to the North, by which many difficulties would be avoided when within the
reef. In the run from thence to the entrance of Endeavour Straits there
is a small white island or key on the larboard end of the channel, which
lies in Latitude 11 deg. 23' S., the sides are strong and irregular.

On the 1st September in the morning saw land, which probably was the
continent of New South Wales. The yawls were sent on shore to ground and
look out. They saw a run of water, landed and filled their two barricois,
which were the only vessels of consequence they had with them, and I
steered for an island called by Lt. Bligh Mountainous Island, and when
joined by the boats ran into a bay of that island where we saw Indians on
the beach. The water was shoal and the Indians waded off to the boats. I
gave them some presents and made them sensible that we were in want of
water. They brought us a vessel filled with water which we had given them
for the purpose, and they returned to fill it again. They used many signs
to signify that they wished us to land, but we declined their invitation
from motives of prudence.

Just as a person was entering the water with the second vessel of fresh
water, an arrow was discharged at us by another person, which struck my
boat on the quarter, and perceiving that they were collecting bows and
arrows a volley of small arms was fired at them which