We Found The Descent To The Boat Incomparably Preferable To The Tedious
Climb Of Two Hours Previous, And, Thanks To
The promise of a "nobbler of
rum each," Cato and Ferdinand transported my precious "run" in safety to
the stern-
Sheets; the sun having then sunk in crimson beauty behind the
coast-range, and the breeze having fallen to the faintest whisper, we
shoved off, and pulled leisurely over the calm bay to Cardwell, arriving
about ten o'clock, to hear the welcome news that the 'Daylight' would be
ready for us on the following afternoon.
HOW WE EXPLORED HINCHINBROOK ISLAND.
The sun was just showing above the distant sea-line, and the bay was lying
motionless as a mirror, with a rosy hue thrown across its placid surface,
when I awoke on the following morning, stiff from the clamber of the
preceding day. The short half-hour before the rays of the sun have
attained an unpleasant fierceness is most enjoyable in Australia,
particularly in a wild region such as Cardwell, where birds, beasts, and
fishes pursue their daily avocations, heedless of the presence of man. My
house was situated at the extreme north end of the township, and far apart
from the nearest dwelling - so much so, in fact, that it was only by a
stretch of the imagination that I could say I was included within the
village boundary. On the side farthest from the settlement lay the virgin
bush, whilst outside the garden at the back, all was wild and rude as
Nature had left it, except a small clearing I had made for the growth of
maize, sweet potatoes, etc.
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