NARRATIVE OF MR. CARRON. 187 



larg'e five-celled capsule^ many seeded cells^ the seeds 

 being* wrapped in a white silky cotton. This tree 

 was deciduous^ the leaves being* palmate^ and grew 

 on stiff soil : its larg'e crimson flowers attracted 

 universal admiration. 



We crossed the river at a spot where its banks 

 Avere not so steep^ and where there was but from 

 one to three feet of water ; in some places the bottom 

 was sandy and in others rocky^ but we could see 

 rock only in the bed of the river. We camped on 

 the side of the river^ on some recently burned g*rass ; 

 five of the party went fishing* a short distance up 

 the river^ and caug-ht a few fish. The country here 

 to the west and the south-west was open undulating- 

 forest land^ which had been burned some short time 

 before^ and the g-rass just g-rowing* ag*ain^ formed 

 beautiful feed for our horses and sheep. 



Towards evening* about six or eight natives made 

 their appearance^ on the same side of the river as 

 our camp ; when about tAvo hundred yards from us 

 they shipped their spears in their throwing*-sticks^ 

 and with other warlike g"estures gradually drew 

 near to us, making* a great noise, doubtless thinking 

 to frighten us. There being a wide deep gully 

 between the natives and our camp, we drew up 

 along the edge of it, with our fire-arms all ready to 

 give them a warm reception should they endeavour 

 to approach to closer hostilities. We endeavoured 

 to make them understand that our intentions were 

 friendly, and that we A\ished them to be peaceable ; 



