INDICATIONS OF A RIVER. 127 



where now in native negligence " it springs and 

 dies," it may spread the white and glistening gar- 

 ment of cultivation — testify the existence— and pro- 

 mote the comfort of social life. The same seed 

 was found near Hanover Bay, by Lieuts. Grey and 

 Lushington, and throve exceedingly well in the 

 soft and luxurious climate of the ever- verdant 

 Mauritius. Leaving some presents in a conspicuous 

 situation for the present rightful possessors of the 

 island, whose temporary shelter we had obtained, 

 we hastened back to the boats, and stood away to 

 the eastward for the low land seen from the 

 island, and crossed various narrow sandy ridges, 

 nearly dry at low water, and generally trending N. 

 and S., shewing the direction of the stream by which 

 they were formed, and at distances of 5, 7, 9, and 

 12 miles, in an E. by S. direction from Valentine 

 Island ; the soundings between them averaged from 

 7 to 9 fathoms. A favouring breeze from the south 

 helped us half way across to the point, from whence 

 I hoped and believed w^e should hereafter date the 

 first great event of the voyage ; and then dying 

 away, compelled us to take to the oars, with the 

 thermometer at 110° in the shade. As we pro- 

 ceeded, several circumstances concurred to satisfy 

 me that we were at length really approaching the 

 mouth of a considerable river; large trees drifted past 

 us with the ebbing tide, while each cast of the lead 

 proved that we were gradually, though nearing the 

 land, deepening the water. Fortune too seemed 

 now resolved to favour us, the deep channel most 



