In the outer passage the sea is strewed with numerous reefs, many yet unknown,* which render the navigation at night extremely dangerous; and if, on approaching the part where it is intended to enter the reefs, the weather should be thick, and the sun too clouded at noon to procure an observation for the latitude, the navigator is placed in a very anxious and a very unenviable situation; for the currents are so strong that the position of the ship is by no means sufficiently known to risk running to leeward to make the reefs.  The ensuing night must therefore in all probability be passed in the greatest uncertainty and in the vicinity of extensive coral reefs.

(Footnote.  When this sheet was in the press an account was published in one of the daily newspapers (Morning Herald 3rd of March 1825) recording the discovery of some low coral islands and reefs by the ship Avon, September 18, 1823, in latitude 19 degrees 40 minutes South, longitude 158 degrees 6 minutes East.)

CHAPTER 10. 
Cross the Gulf of Carpentaria, and anchor at Goulburn’s South Island. 
Affair with the natives. 
Resume the survey of the coast at Cassini Island. 
Survey of Montagu Sound, York Sound, and Prince Frederic’s Harbour. 
Hunter’s and Roe’s Rivers, Port Nelson, Coronation Islands. 
Transactions at Careening Bay. 
Repair the cutter’s bottom. 
General geognostical and botanical observations. 
Natives’ huts. 
Brunswick Bay. 
Prince Regent’s River. 
Leave the coast in a leaky state. 
Tryal Rocks, Cloates Island. 
Pass round the west and south coasts. 
Bass Strait. 
Escape from shipwreck. 
Botany Bay. 
Arrival at Port Jackson.

1820.  August 17.

We did not leave our anchorage off Booby Island until the next morning, in order that we might obtain sights for the watches, and have the advantage of daylight for passing over the position assigned to a shoal, said to have been seen by the ship Aurora.  After weighing we steered West-South-West for sixty miles without seeing any signs of it; and on this course our soundings very gradually increased to thirty fathoms.

August 18 to 19.

On our passage across the Gulf of Carpentaria we had very fine weather but the horizon was enveloped in haze.  The South-East monsoon was steady but very light; and the wind during the day veered occasionally to North-East, which might here be called a sea-breeze.

August 19.

On the 19th we passed Cape Wessel.  Hence we steered for Goulburn Islands.

August 21.

And on the afternoon of the 21st anchored in South West Bay, off the watering-place, which was running very slowly; a hole was dug to receive the drainings.

August 22.

And the next morning we commenced operations, but, from the small supply of water, our progress was very slow.

The natives had not made their appearance, but knowing whom we had to deal with, every precaution was taken to prevent surprise:  an armed party was stationed to protect the remainder of our people who were cutting down the trees which grew immediately over the watering-place on the brink of the cliff; and the officers and men were severally cautioned against straying away from the shore party without taking the precaution of carrying arms.