they did not like the Botany Bay skippers.”  Through their “dislike,” the passengers and seamen of the brig might have gone unprovided to sea, had not a “worldly-minded” whaler (fortunately for us) at that critical moment come into port, who, the instant he heard of the ill-success of our entreaty, vented his indignation in pretty coarse language, and said, “if it detained his vessel a week, he would supply us;” and he kept his word; he gave us a bountiful supply, which rendered us comfortable during the whole way home.

It was most interesting to observe our savages when we got well out to sea.  They soon appeared to become accustomed to their novel situation, and seemed to feel quite at home and at their ease “on board ship.”  Their exertions at the pumps were indefatigable.  I felt convinced they thought that during all voyages the same labour was gone through to keep the vessel afloat; and as it only required strength and exertion, they cheerfully took that department entirely to themselves, especially as they soon perceived how useless they were when they attempted to perform any other duty on board of the brig, as their knowledge of voyaging extended no further than the distance they go in their own canoes, which, though very beautiful, are sad leaky things at sea; and as, during the time they are out, the greater part of the crew are baling the water out of them, they thought the leaky state of our vessel was no uncommon occurrence.  But however cheerfully they worked during the day, nothing could induce them to “turn out” at night; they always stowed themselves away, but in what part of the vessel I never could conjecture.  They have a dread of some unknown evil spirit, which they imagine has power over them at night; and this supposition makes them terrible cowards in the dark.

The second day after we were at sea, I saw a group of savages lying round the binnacle, all intently occupied in observing the phenomenon of the magnetic attraction; they seemed at once to comprehend the purpose to which it was applied, and I listened with eager curiosity to their remarks upon it.

“This,” said they, “is the white man’s God, who directs them safely to different countries, and then can guide them home again.”  Out of compliment to us, and respect for its wonderful powers, they seemed much inclined to worship this silent little monitor.

During our voyage to Port Jackson we experienced a succession of southerly gales, which Captain Kent informed me were very prevalent at this season of the year.  Notwithstanding all our exertions to prevent it, we were carried considerably to leeward of the port.  We made Lord Howe’s Islands, whose high and bold features rise, as it were, out of the ocean; as we passed close to them, we perceived they were well wooded and watered; and one of the men, who had been on shore there, informed me that there was a tolerably good harbour for small craft.  A few miles to the southward of these islands is Ball’s Pyramid, a most singular and sublime-looking rock, rising perpendicularly out of the sea to a height of a thousand feet; the base of it is enveloped in perpetual surf, dashing and climbing up its craggy sides.  Its appearance, as we saw it, relieved by the setting sun, and the coming on of a stormy night, was awful in the extreme!