(7)
1796
March           water. There was no time to be lost. We ran her up beyond
Saturday       the reach of the sea by the aƒsistance of the next surf, –
26took out the provisions that would be first spoiled by the water;
and in short, got everything out of the boat, and baled her dry. Af-
-ter viewing each other with some anxiety, we agreed it abso-
-lutely neceƒsary to launch the boat again, immediately if
poƒsible; lest any number of natives should come down upon
us in this unprepared state. There were smokes within three
miles, which rendered this a matter of immediate considera-
-tion; and more especially, as the natives to the southward of
Botany Bay were generally believed to be cannibals. Ha-
ving, therefore, placed the boat stern on for the Water, and
put the most spoilable provisions on board, by watching a
favourable opportunity, we launched her; and the boy and
myself getting upon our oars, were safe without the verge of
the surfs before any of the larger ones came; not having
shipped above eight or ten buckets of water.
      To get those things into the boat which had been left on shore,
became now our employment; in doing which, the musquets were
near being lost from the breaking of the lead line, the end of
which M ^r Baƒs had swam through the surf with to the boat:
but by lashing the heaviest articles to the oars and mast, every
thing else came on board safe; and about half past three, we
got under sail with a moderate breeze at north-north-east, as
before.