She was probably a Government vessel--possibly the _Claud Hamilton_, a South Australian revenue boat stationed at Port Darwin--as she flew the British ensign at the mast-head; whereas a pearler would have flown it at the peak.

The moment we caught sight of that ship I am afraid we lost our heads.

We screamed aloud with excitement, and ran like mad people up and down the beach, waving branches and yelling like maniacs.

I even waved wildly my long, luxuriant hair.

Unfortunately, the wind was against us, blowing from the WSW.