EXAMINE A NEW RIVEE. 91 



SO had no difficulty in entering* — at a quarter of a 

 mile from the mouth the water was quite fresh. 

 We ascended about two miles and a half^ when it 

 became necessary to return on account of the 

 shoalness of the stream^ the boat* having- g-rounded 

 repeatedly. A party of about twenty natives 

 made their appearance as soon as we entered the 

 river^ and after making* ineifectual and repeated 

 attempts to induce us to land^ tAvo or three of their 

 number followed us along* the bank^ while the others 

 made a straio'ht course so as to cut off the windino-s 

 and meet us at our turning- place. The current 

 here ran one and a half knots^ but the quantity of 

 water was trifling- and the channel throug'hout 

 very narrow^ at times sweeping- under the bank^ so 

 as not to allow room for the oars. At first the 

 river was fring-ed with mang-roves^ afterwards with 

 dense brush. The natives followed us down until 

 we anchored for dinner in one of the reaches^ 

 when they all left on hearing* the report of my 

 g-un while shooting* on shore. They were painted 

 with red and white^ two of them being- smeared all 

 over with the former colour^ mixed up Avith some 

 g-reasy substance. They seemed peaceabl}" disposed^ 

 as we saw no arms among* them^ and they 

 approached close enough to take biscuit from our 

 hands. 



Near the mouth we again landed for half an 



* Our first cutter, verv serviceable on such occasions from her 

 hght draught ; with fourteen men, arms, provisions, and stove for 

 cooking, &c. she drew only a foot of water. 



