354* GIGANTIC BOULDERS. 



hills extended irregularly nearly round the com- 

 pass, but mostly to the northward and westward, 

 towards which direction the stream ran with im- 

 mense force. There were no rocks visible nearer 

 than Lake Garry ; but gigantic boulders were 

 strewed in every direction, and in two instances 

 were seen on the summits of conical and isolated 

 sand-hills much resembling those previously 

 mentioned. One of these was very conspicuous, 

 as well from its height as from its situation in 

 the centre of the river, thus forming an excellent 

 mark for the rapid from any direction. The ther- 

 mometer had been as high as 102° in the sun, and 

 was 56° in the shade, with a S. E. wind, so as to 

 create considerable refraction during the greater 

 part of the day. The evening, however, was cool ; 

 and at a little past 8 p.m. we encamped. 



The following day we got away at the usual 

 hour, w 7 ith the advantage of a swift current, 

 which now swept to the northward, and in about 

 an hour brought us to a strong rapid, the descent 

 of which looked exceedingly like going down hill. 

 After the usual examination, the steersmen were 

 desirous of lightening the boat before running 

 it, but the water was too shoal for landing, and 

 we were obliged to pole up a small rapid to 

 an island ; whence it was at length decided, as 

 no eligible landing-place could be found above 

 or below it, to risk the descent with the whole 

 cargo. It was a case of necessity ; so off we 



