Nor had they the good fortune to
see any quadrupeds worth notice, except a few kangaroos. To their great
surprize, they observed indisputable tracks of the natives having been
lately there, though in their whole route none of them were to be seen;
nor any means to be traced, by which they could procure subsistence so
far from the sea shore.
On the 6th of May the 'Supply' sailed for Lord Howe Island, to take on
board turtle for the settlement; but after waiting there several days
was obliged to return without having seen one, owing we apprehended to
the advanced season of the year. Three of the transports also, which
were engaged by the East India Company to proceed to China, to take on
board a lading of tea, sailed about this time for Canton.
The unsuccessful return of the 'Supply' cast a general damp on our
spirits, for by this time fresh provisions were become scarcer than in
a blockaded town. The little live stock, which with so heavy an expense,
and through so many difficulties, we had brought on shore, prudence
forbade us to use; and fish, which on our arrival, and for a short time
after had been tolerable plenty, were become so scarce, as to be rarely
seen at the tables of the first among us.
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