DUNCAN'S ISLES.
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had been early at work, had prepared for us. This being finished, every utensil capable of containing water was filled therewith; and all being properly arranged in the boats, about six o'clock, A.M., of the 22d of May, we left the island, not without regret, yet pleased, that we should no longer be annoyed with reefs and sand-banks. Not wishing to run the risk of finding a clear passage between any of the islands, we steered to the northward of the group[1], and then directed our course W. by S. across the gulf of Carpentaria.
- ↑ This group consists of fourteen small islands; the largest not being more than three miles in lengthy and about one and a half in breadth. The island at which we stopped was of considerable height. The trees were of stunted growth; the grass was luxuriant, and the water in abundance. On the (granite) pinnacle of the island, we observed an immense collection of stones, resembling a cairn; and as we imagined it served the same purpose, we did not fail to increase the heap by a liberal contribution. High water occurs at about 2h 30' after the Moon's culmination, and the tide rises from eight to ten feet The latitude, as already observed, is 10° 13' 27" south, and the longitude, (by lunar observations, and by chronometer corrected from the Eastern Fields,) is 141° 56' 36", east. Neither Captain Flinders nor Captain King went so far north, and therefore did not notice these islands; which, in compliment to the Honourable Captain Duncan, R.N., we named Duncan's Isles.
