kill, Barrett, as well, on horseback, and we found it was impossible to
get him in--he was so wild: he was therefore shot at the far and south
end of the island, with the intention of bringing as much as possible of
the carcass away. It getting late in the evening, however, none was taken
away, nor is there time now to do so, and to do also an act of duty and
humanity to the yet living human beings.

Sunday, 24th December.

Before ten A.M., a dead calm; at turn of tide or rather before, weighed
anchor, but the tide took us towards Cape York a mile; the tide now
turned, and a gentle breeze took us through the strait. The breeze
continued, and at sundown we anchored five miles south of Point Shadwell,
Mount Adolphus bearing North-North-West, seven leagues; employed during
the day conversing with Jackey, taking down in pencil what he had to say,
changing the subject now and then by speaking of his comrades at Jerry's
Plains. I did so as he told me what kept him awake all last night was
thinking about Mr. Kennedy. Saw three native fires on our voyage here,
one on this south end of Albany Island, one between it and here, and one
on shore abreast of us.

December 25th, Monday.

At daylight in the morning a dead calm, and the hottest day we have had,
the sun was so glaring that the altitude could not be taken. At about a
quarter before ten A.M. a light breeze came on and we left our anchorage,
the breeze increased a little, before eleven; saw what appeared to be an
island at first; on nearing, found it to be a canoe, about fifteen feet
long, with seven or eight natives in it, shearing about, sometimes in one
direction, sometimes in another. After a little we heard them calling
out, "paoud," "whappee," "chauca," some of them standing up. I named to
the Captain that I thought they must be from Cape York, from their words,
and that it would be at least desirable to glean information from them,
if possible, concerning Mr. Kennedy. The Captain said, "We will not call
out paoud," (which means peace) but occasionally the words chauca
(tobacco) biskey (biscuit) were called out from the ship. They from this
drew close to the vessel, very wary, however, in doing so. Jackey was
placed in the fore-top, and word came that Jackey knew all these fellows,
that they were the party who speared Mr. Kennedy. One black was allowed
to come on board, and whilst he was partly in the ship, word came to me
by Parker (a seaman) that Jackey wanted to