thoughtlessly by the fore-topmast-stay-sail-haliards, was precipitated from a height of fifty feet, and fell senseless on the deck. This unfortunate event threatened to deprive me of his very valuable assistance for some time, a loss I could but very ill spare, particularly when upon the point of returning to the examination of so intricate a coast as that part where we last left off.
“At 10-30 p.m. during a very heavy squall, the cable parted; but the brig happily drifted with her head to starboard, and passed clear both of the Dick and San Antonio” (two merchant vessels then in company); “the chain-cabled anchor was then dropped, which brought her up in fifteen fathoms, mud, in which berth she appeared to ride much easier than before. I was now very anxious about the lost anchor; and, having expressed a wish to inform Mr. Harrison” (the master of the Dick) “of our situation, and to request him to recover our anchor in the morning if the weather would permit, Mr. Bedwell volunteered to go on board that ship, which, although a service of danger, was, if possible to be cfTected, absolutely necessary. The boat shoved off; but as the crew were unable to pull it a-head, I called her on board again, which was most fortunate, for shortly afterwards the chain-cable parted also, and the brig drove with her head towards the shore. An attempt was made to veer; but, from the weight of the chain at the bow, this manoeuvre could not be effected: fearing, therefore, to drift any more to the westward, in which direction we were making rapid way, I was under the necessity of slipping the chain, by which we lost one hundred fathoms of cable. Being now freed from this impediment, the brig’s head was placed off shore; and after making sail, we fired several muskets and shewed lights, as signals to the Dick, who, it afterwards appeared, kept a light up for our guidance; but the weather was so squally and thick, with almost constant rain, that it was not seen by us. At day-dawn we were joined by our companions; and, as it was not possible, from the state of the weather, to regain the anchors we had lost, made sail towards Turtle Island, on our way to which we passed Escape River. Both of these places reminded us of former perils; but the recollection of our providential preservation on those occasions, as well as on many others during our former voyages, increased the grateful feelings which we now felt for our safety and protection during the last night, the anxieties and circumstances of which can never be obliterated from our minds. At 4 p.m. (July 1st), we passed Booby Island, and steered W.b.S. across the Gulf of Carpentaria.”
On the 7th July 1821, Lieutenant King was advanced to the rank of commander. On the 25th, he again entered Prince Regent’s River, and there completed his fuel and water. On the 7th August, Mr. Montgomery was speared in
