Each time, however, I sternly compelled myself to restrain my feelings.

At length the spirit of unrest grew so strong that I determined to try a short trip inland in a direction I had never hitherto attempted.

I intended to cross the big bay in my dug-out, round Cape Londonderry, and then go south among the beautiful islands down past Admiralty Gulf, which I had previously explored during my residence on the Cape, and where I had found food and water abundant; numerous caves, with mural paintings; quiet seas, and gorgeous vegetation.

Yamba willingly consented to accompany me, and one day I set off on the sea once more, my faithful wife by my side, carrying her net full of odds and ends, and I with my bow and arrows, tomahawk, and stiletto; the two latter carried in my belt.

I hoped to come across a ship down among the islands, for my natives told me that several had passed while I was away.
At length we started off in our dug-out, the sea being perfectly calm--more particularly in the early morning, when the tide was generally with us.