December 27.

The next morning, the wind being easterly, we left the bay.  On passing Red Point, twenty or thirty natives came to the extreme point of the cliff, shouting and hallooing and making violent gestures; a large group of women and children appeared in the background, timidly concealing themselves behind the trees and bushes; another party was quietly seated round small fires on the rocks near the sea-beach, apparently engaged in cooking their fish; and at a little distance from the last group, two canoes were hauled upon the rocks.

The breeze being fresh from the North-North-East, we made rapid progress; and at three o’clock p.m., rounded Cape Howe, with every prospect of passing through Bass Strait before the wind should again veer to the westward.  In passing Cape Howe, we observed large fires burning on the hills, made by the natives for the double purpose of burning off the dry grass and of hunting the kangaroos, which are thus forced to fly from the woods, and thereby fall an easy prey to their pursuers.

December 28.

The next day at noon, Kent’s Group, in the eastern entrance of Bass Strait, was seen; but, at one o’clock, the wind shifted suddenly and blew a gale from South-West, with heavy rain:  after beating against it until the following day, we bore up and ran under the lee of Great Island, intending to pass round Van Diemen’s Land:  at five o’clock, we passed close to the Babel Islands, on which were heaped incredible numbers of sea-birds of various descriptions, each species huddled together in flocks separate from the other.  On another part of the island many seals were seen, by the growl of which, and the discordant screams of the birds, a strange confused noise was made, not ill adapted to the name the island bears.

December 29.

By the following day, we had made some progress along the eastern side of Van Diemen’s Land, but in the evening, the wind shifted to South-East, and induced us to try the Strait once more.  In passing the low north-easternmost point of the land, called by the French, Cape Naturaliste, we had nearly run ashore from the darkness of the night, and the little elevation of the land.  Our sounding in seven fathoms was the first indication of danger; and, on listening attentively, the noise of the surf upon the beach was distinctly heard.

December 30.

The next morning we passed through Banks Strait, and entered Bass Strait.

1818.  January 2.

But the wind was so light and baffling, that we made no progress until the 2nd of January; when, with a freshening breeze from the eastward, we moved rapidly on our way, and flattered ourselves with the hope of clearing the strait before night.  In this hope we were not deceived; but before it was effected, we had very nearly suffered from the careless look-out of the man at the masthead.  At four o’clock we were near Three Hummock Island, and steered so