We left Moresby Island at six a.m. on the
23rd inst., and beat through Fortescue Straits, between Moresby and
Basilisk Islands. The scenery was grand--everything looked so fresh and
green, very different from the deathlike appearance of Port Moresby and
vicinity. The four teachers were close behind us, in their large whale-
boat, with part of their things. On getting out of the Straits, we saw
East Cape; but, as there was no anchorage there, we made for Killerton
Island, about ten miles from the Cape. The wind being very light, it was
eight p.m. before we anchored: the boat got up an hour after us. There
was apparently great excitement ashore; lights were moving about in all
directions, but none came to us. In the morning, a catamaran with two
boys ventured alongside of us; they got a present, and went away
shouting. Soon we were surrounded with catamarans and canoes, with three
or four natives in each. They had no spears with them, nor did they kill
a dog on our quarter-deck, as they did on that of the _Basilisk_.
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