Projects of this nature, when originating in the minds of young men, are
usually termed romantic; and so far from any good being anticipated, even
prudence and friendship join in discouraging, if not in opposing them.
Thus it was in the present case; so that a little boat of eight feet
long, called _Tom Thumb_, with a crew composed of ourselves and a boy,
was the best equipment to be procured for the first outset. In the month
following the arrival of the ships, we proceeded round in this boat, to
Botany Bay; and ascending George's River, one of two which falls into the
bay, explored its winding course about twenty miles beyond where Governor
Hunter's survey had been carried.

The sketch made of this river and presented to the governor, with the
favourable report of the land on its borders, induced His Excellency to
examine them himself shortly afterward; and was followed by establishing
there a new branch of the colony, under the name of _Bank's Town_.

1796.

A voyage to Norfolk Island interrupted our further proceedings, until
March 1796. Mr Bass and myself then went again in Tom Thumb, to explore a
large river, said to fall into the sea some miles to the south of Botany
Bay, and of which there was no indication in captain Cook's chart.

We sailed out of Port Jackson early in the morning of March 25, and stood
a little off to sea to be ready for the sea breeze. On coming in with the
land in the evening, instead of being near Cape Solander, we found
ourselves under the cliffs near Hat Hill, six or seven leagues to the
southward, whither the boat had been drifted by a strong current. Not
being able to land, and the sea breeze coming in early next morning from
the northward, we steered for two small islets, six or seven miles