[* It had probably been obtained from the crews of either the Providence or Assistant; which had anchored under Stephens’ Island, nine months before.]

[** Mr. Bampton’s description of this animal is briefly as follows.  Size and shape, of the opossum.  Colour, yellowish white with brown spots.  End of the tail, deep red:  prehensile.  Eyes, reddish brown:  red when irritated.  No visible ears.  Used its paws in feeding:  five nails to each.  Habit, dull and slothful:  not savage.  Food, maize, boiled rice, meat, leaves, or any thing offered.  Odour, very strong at times, and disagreeable.]

July 13.  A boat was sent to Campbell’s Island; but it did not contain either plantations, cocoa-nut trees, or fixed inhabitants.  This, as also Stephens’ and Nepean’s Islands, are mostly low and sandy; and surrounded with extensive reefs, upon which, it was thought, the Indians pass from one island to the other, at low water.

In the afternoon, the ships proceeded to the westward; but meeting with many reefs, they hauled more to the north, and discovered Bristow Island, lying close to the coast of New Guinea.  Their attempts to find a passage here, were fruitless; and after incurring much danger, and the Chesterfield getting aground, they returned to their former anchorage, in the evening of July 21.  The banks, reefs, and lands, seen during these eight days, will be found marked in Plate XIII.

Two canoes immediately came off from Stephens’ Island; and one of the natives remained on board the Hormuzeer till eight o’clock.  He seemed to be without fear; and when inquiry was made after the lost boat and people, he pointed to a whale boat, and made signs that such an one had been at Darnley’s Island; and that six of the people were killed.* Many presents were made to this man; and he was clothed, and sent on shore in one of the boats.

[* Captain Hill and four of the seamen were murdered by the natives.  Messieurs Shaw and Carter were severely wounded; but with Ascott, the remaining seaman, they got into the boat, cut the grapnel rope, and escaped.  They were without provisions or compass; and it being impossible to reach the ships, which lay five leagues to windward, they bore away to the west, through the Strait; in the hope of reaching Timor.  On the tenth day, they made land; which proved to be Timor-laoet.  They there obtained some relief to their great distress; and went on to an island called by the natives, Sarrett; where Mr. Carter died:  Messieurs Shaw and Ascott sailed in a prow, for Banda, in the April following.  See Collins’ Account of the English Colony in New South Wales.  Vol.  I. page 464, 465.]

July 22.  The ships’ crews beginning to feel the want of fresh water, people were sent on shore to dig a well; and the natives, though they still appeared shy and suspicious, gave them some assistance.  On the 24th, the boats had discovered a passage to the south-westward; and as the well produced little water, and no provision could be obtained, it was determined to proceed onward, through the Strait, without further delay.