time. On the return of the Reliance to New South Wales, we found there
the supra-cargo of the Sydney Cove, a ship from India commanded by Mr. G.
A. Hamilton, which, having started a butt end, had been run on shore at
Furneaux's Islands and wrecked. Mr. Clarke had left the ship, with the
chief mate and others, in the long boat, designing for Port Jackson, in
order to procure means for transporting the officers and people, and such
part of the cargo as had been saved, to the same place; but being
overtaken by a heavy south-east gale, their boat had been thrown on shore
near Cape Howe, three-hundred miles from the colony, and stove to pieces.

There was no other prospect of safety for Mr. Clarke and his companions,
than to reach Port Jackson on foot; and they commenced their march along
the sea shore, scantily furnished with ammunition, and with less
provisions. Various tribes of natives were passed, some of whom were
friendly; but the hostility of others, and excessive fatigue, daily
lessened the number of these unfortunate people; and when the provisions
and ammunition failed, the diminution became dreadfully rapid. Their last
loss was of the chief mate and carpenter, who were killed by Dilba, and
other savages near Hat Hill;* and Mr. Clarke, with a sailor and one
lascar, alone remained when they reached Watta-Mowlee. They were so
exhausted, as to have scarcely strength enough to make themselves
observed by a boat which was fishing off the cove; but were at length
conveyed into her, and brought to Port Jackson.

[* This Dilba was one of the two Botany-Bay natives, who had been most
strenuous for Tom Thumb to go up into the lagoon, which lies under the
hill.]

Mr. Clarke gave the first information of the coal cliffs, near Hat Hill;
and from him it was ascertained, that, besides the known bays, many small