1803
January 1st (Saturday).—Started early in the morning to examine another stream seen as above. The brush was so thick that we could not proceed. It goes up between hills, as far as we could discern, three or four miles. There is a little waterfall near the beach. Returned back, and stopped the night.
Sunday 2nd— Set off at eight o'clock up another stream. There is a considerable current for about a mile, when it became dry at bottom, soon afterwards water, at about three miles swampy, about 18 inches deep of water, and very thick of trees; the water began to extend a considerable width, and, being so very thick of brush, left the swamp and went over some dry ground for about a mile and came to a lagoon. Came up with it at the west end. It appeared to turn to the right and left at the east end and three-quarters of a mile long, but could not distinctly see its form. From thence to the sea, about four miles, is a very thick brush, with many fallen trees, which make travelling nearly impossible. The land dry and sandy, and many large gum trees. At five o'clock came to the place we set out from, and stopped the night.
Monday 3rd.—Started at six o'clock, and made straight for headquarters, where we arrived between nine and ten o'clock a.m. Made a signal for the boat to come on shore, which soon arrived. Went on board for some necessaries, and came back to the tent in the afternoon.
Tuesday 4th.—A party of the crews of the Cumberland and George were coming on shore for blubber. The surf being very strong, two of the men belonging to the latter were drowned; six more were in the water, but got safe out. The men who perished were Cato, late gardener to Mr. Palmer, and Emmanuel, late gunner on board the Anne. The day was spent in finding them and sending them to the New Year's Island to be buried.
Wednesday 5th.—Went with the captain and two others to the lagoon seen on the 20th ult.; traced it from end to end. At top there is a small run of water comes into it down a sandy hollow. Went on the top of a hill and ascended a tree; the appearance—dead-topped gum trees, sandy hills, and thick brush. It is with the greatest difficulty that one can pass through it. Returned in the afternoon, and found Mr. Grimes and party returned. From what I was informed they had not been so far as they intended to have gone when they set off.
Thursday 6th.—Made a signal early in the morning for the boat to come on shore, as we wanted some necessaries previous to our setting off into the country. The boat not coming, remained at marquee all the day.
Friday 7th.—Continued the signal in the morning, and, it not coming, the captain went on board in the George's boat in the evening, which came on shore for some men that had come from Elephant Bay. They informed me that the French commodore had sailed about eight days before, and that he had lost two anchors and a launch. Rain and thunder p.m., with high wind most of the night.
