A slight break in the weather tempted them forth once more, and, having succeeded in righting the boats, they made for the mouth of the Gascoyne, where they re-filled their water-beakers.
On March 20th they made a desperate effort in the teeth of foul weather to fetch their depot on Bernier Island.

We may picture their dismay when they found that during their absence a hurricane had swept the island, and scattered their cherished stores to the four winds.
Their position was now as desperate as could be imagined: the southerly winds had set in, and they had to coast along a surf-beaten shore against a head wind.

Their food was scanty, and they were weak with the constant toils they had undergone.

There was nothing for it, however, but to put to sea again, and they succeeded in reaching Gantheaume Bay on the 31st of March.

Fate had not yet spent all her wrath on them, and in attempting a landing, Grey's boat was dashed to destruction upon a rock, and the other received such a buffeting as to place it beyond repair.