CHAPTER VI 

 THE RIVER PORT HUTTON TO SMITHFORD 



ON reaching the quay at Port Hutton, it was found to 

 be low water, and the extensive mud flats of the estuary 

 were exposed to view. The outlook was dreary in the 

 extreme, the air was cold and damp, and the Sun had 

 not yet broken through the mist which had formed during 

 the night. The mud flats, though at first sight by no 

 means inviting, were far from being without interest. 



The source of the mud, and the reason for its deposi- 

 tion in this particular situation, were questions which 

 might well engage our attention. There was a channel 

 running near the centre of the estuary where the water 

 was fairly deep, even in the present state of the tide, and 

 here our steamer lay at anchor. There was a strong 

 current flowing down the channel towards the sea, and 

 this made rowing out from the jetty somewhat arduous. 

 However, having arrived on board, and having stowed 

 away our personal belongings, we spent the time until the 

 turn of the tide in an examination of our surroundings. 



The colour of the water flowing down the channel 

 showed that it contained a large amount of mud in sus- 

 pension, which it was carrying out to sea, and samples of 

 water, collected by means of a bucket thrown over the side, 

 were found to be less salt than the water of the open sea. 



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