they discovered an opening in the reef, through which the Commander resolved, if possible, to carry the ship; but after reaching it with some difficulty, the ebb tide, rushing out of the opening like a mill stream, carried them out to sea for a quarter of a mile, thus placing them in safety for a time, though in the opposite direction. Being still embayed in the reef, the tide of flood soon returning, drove them again into the bight, and they must have forthwith despaired of relief, had not another opening providentially appeared, on reaching which, they were hurried through by the tide with amazing rapidity, and soon found themselves in safety. Thus they escaped the danger which proved fatal to the Pandora twenty years after; and with becoming gratitude, Lieut. Cook named this opening Providential Channel.
The mind of man, like human life, is subject to strange vicissitudes: all on board thought themselves happy in regaining a situation, which only three days ago they were so glad to quit. There were no new capes or bays to be seen in the main sea; and the enthusiasm attending a first discovery, made them cheerfully brave every danger, rather than leave unexplored the interesting country which they had the honour to discover.
In again prosecuting their voyage to the northward, they proceeded with great caution, as before; carefully marking, as they advanced, the grand features of the coast. At length, to their no small joy, they reached the north point of New Holland, called Carpentaria, on tuesday, August 21st, having thus completed an achievement unparalleled in the annals of navigation. No where was the nautical skill of Capt. Cook displayed to greater
