I slept on deck and was called to hear a loud roaring on the shore: this was evidently the noise of a rushing wind, which gradually drew nearer and nearer and at last reached us, accompanied by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain; it did not however last for more than twenty minutes, and we received no damage from it.
December 8.
Whilst the party continued the pathway I landed on the sandy beach and explored the interior of the country for several miles.

We found but very little fresh water and the country was dreadfully burnt up; the heavy rain which had fallen last night however gave signs of the approach of the wet season.

We passed several dry watercourses, in many of which we dug for it, but all that we obtained was brackish.

We had another squall this afternoon, similar to last night's.
LANDING STOCK.

LABOUR IN LANDING STORES.
December 9.
This day we pitched the tents, disembarked the sheep and goats, and some of the stores.