CHAPTER XI.
March 1788 to May 1788 Three of the transports cleared--Two excursions made into the country, on the fifteenth of April, and on the twenty-second--Huts of the natives--Sculpture, and other particulars.
25 March 1788 On the 25th of March, the Charlotte, Lady Penrhyn, and Scarborough transports, having been cleared of all their stores, were discharged from government service, and left at liberty to proceed for China, whenever their commanders should think proper.

The other ships were of necessity detained till the store-houses could be finished.
15 April 1788 The month of April was not distinguished by any events that deserve to be related, except two expeditions of Governor Phillip for the purpose of exploring the country.

On the first of these excursions he set out on the 15th with provisions for four days; attended by several officers, and a small party of marines.

They landed at the head of a small cove, called Shell Cove, near the entrance of the harbour on the north side.
Proceeding in this direction they arrived at a large lake, which they examined, though not without great labour.

It was surrounded by a considerable extent of bog and marshy ground, in which, in the course of their progress, they were frequently plunged up to the waist.