30

Saturday 1st July [underlined]
a fine spectacle last night was still burning, & had spread
half way down the Hill on all sides, forming a
circle of fire which gradually crept to the bottom.
Had not proceeded more than 5 miles when we stuck on
a sand bank & there we remained for the day. After the
tide had left us high & dry (which it did very quickly)
we walked out of the ark & had a look around. There
were myriads of small spider crabs, walking about in
companies & regiments just like armies. Caught a few
other kinds (3) & then took the gun out. Had a shot at
a stork, but only knocked a few feathers out. Stalked
some snipe, but couldn't get any. Sat down in the mud
once, which was up to the calves of my legs. Four
goodsized catfish were caught in a creek close by &
we had fish for tea once again. Very close evening.
Could still see the circle of fire around base of Indian Hill.
Sunday 2nd [underlined] Got away after breakfast, but the
wind if any was very light; the tide however brought
us down to Quoin Island. While sitting around the
hatchway at dinner, Mr Basedow sighted a steamer
a long way off, & in half an hour's time she had come
up & proved to be the "Wai hoi" with ketch "Florence"
in tow - bound up the River. When she came abreast