270 Kennedy's expedition. 



Wlien we got back to the boats, we immediately 

 proceeded down the creek, being* anxious to get 

 clear of the intricate navigation before dark. We 

 succeeded in getting into the open river with diffi- 

 culty^ the numerous snags and branches of trees in 

 the creek^ together with the strong current, requiring- 

 great precaution to prevent our boats being stove. 



A few yards above the place pointed out by 

 Jackey in the morning', where Mr. Kenned}^ came 

 dow^n to the river for the purpose of crossing-, we 

 found the water very shalloAV, not ankle deep^ right 

 across ; had they waited until low water they might 

 have crossed without difficulty ; as we pulled down 

 the river we found numerous shoals^ our boat 

 constantly grounding ; in fact Escape Eiver is not 

 a river, but an estuary, terminating in swamps. 



At eleven we arrived at the entrance of the river, 

 where I camped for the night, on a sandy beach 

 not far from Point Shadwell, havino- determined to 

 examine the native camp at daybreak. Set a watch, 

 but made no fire, as I wanted to take the natives 

 by surprise. 



3£ay dth. — Blowing very hard all night from 

 S. E. 5 passed a miserable night — the mosquitoes 

 devouring- us. At break of day launched our boats 

 and pulled towards the camp where we had seen 

 the natives the day before. Some of the party went 

 along the beach. On arriving* at the camp found it 

 had very recently been abandoned j one of Jackey's 

 companions saw one native, Avho ran into the bush 

 and was seen no more. 



