The ripplings and discoloured water are a warning that they should be approached with caution on this side.
(*Footnote.

The seabreeze prevailing from the westward through Clarence Strait, the passage to Port Essington from the westward, during the easterly monsoon, might be more easily made by passing through it, instead of working along the north side of Melville Island.) The mouth of a considerable inlet came in sight at the head of a bay as we advanced towards it, steering South by East.

This opening began to appear of consequence as we drew near, although the singularly gradual decrease in the soundings, on a sandy bottom materially diminished the probability of its being the mouth of a river.

Still, when we anchored as near as we could approach, there remained a hope of its being so.
HOPE INLET.

SHOAL BAY.
September 8.
Early in the morning Mr.Forsyth and myself started to explore the opening.