'791-
June.
and Hinchinbrook. idand, the fpace 'a.s occupied b^ a low unintenuptod barren fand as far as the eye could reach, bein^ ihc continuation of the Ihoal bank that ihf.'v had traced ever iince quitting.', iho i(!ct on the preceding afternoon. This bank feenied to be inipalfable, t)ut as thefc obferva- tions v.Tic made at low water, a few feet only aboe the furface of an extenhve and ne.irly level tratl of fands, Mr, Jolndlone thought it not itnprobal)le that a channel for the boats night be found winding tlirough it into the ocean. He was confirmed in this opinion by the Rudians on his return to the iiland ; where, lindino- ;he other boat in readinefs to depart, they took leave of their Rulhan friends, with many thanl.ful exprellions for the kindnelles they had bellowed. Thefe Mr. Johnllone endeavoured to requite by a few trifling articles of traffic, which he conceived might be acceptable, and which were received with great pleafure by the RuHians.
The wind ftill blew very (Irong from the s.e., attended with thick rainy weather, but the hopes of being yet able to profecute their re- fcarches along the continental (hore to the eaflward, induced them to continue in that purfuit towards the north-eaft point of Hinchinbrook ifland (which obtained the name of Point Bkntinck) as the moft probable means for finding the expefted boat pafTage ; but on their rerclnog that point Mr. Johnftone perceived, as he had done in the morning, the continuation of the fand-bank, connecting the land he was then upon with the continent ; with the only difference of its being partly dry, the tide not being quite fo low as before. To the eaftward the ocean feemed to be very tempefluous, and the fpace between point Bentinck and point Wiifhed was occupied by a tremendous furf that rendered any paffage at that time impraflicable, though in more favorable weather it might probably be effetled.
The party had now bet n abfent ten days from the fhip, which was the period for which they had been fupplied, and as the only means of carrying on the furvey of the exterior coaft was round by cape Hinchinbrook, a navigation far too extenfive for them to attempt with the remaining flock of their provifions, and expofed to the ocean on an intirtly open coaft, they were obliged, though with great reluftance, to abandon
