134 ASCENT OF THE FITZ-ROY. 



the night in quiet, I would fain hope, so far as most 

 of us were concerned, not without a thankful re- 

 membrance of Him, whose merciful providence 

 had been so recently manifested in our behalf ! 



February 27. — Leaving Mr. Tarrant in charge 

 of the yawl, I proceeded with Mr. Helpman to 

 trace the river, immediately after daylight. 

 Against the last of the ebb tide, and with the ther- 

 mometer at 80°, we contrived to reach a spot two 

 miles beyond Point Escape before noon. From 

 Point Escape upwards, there appeared to be, at 

 low water, no regular channel ; the bed of the 

 river assumed the aspect of an extensive flat of 

 mud, intersected with small rivulets or streams that 

 served to drain it. No signs of human habitation 

 were seen along its banks, which divided by numer- 

 ous small creeks, and thickly fringed with the un- 

 failing mangrove, stretched away in level and drear 

 monotony, only broken towards the west by land of 

 inconsiderable elevation. The circling flight of the 

 ever wary curlew, and the shrill cry of the plover, 

 now first disturbed in their accustomed territory, 

 alone vouched for the presence of animal life in that 

 vast solitude, the eff"ect of which they heightened, 

 rather than removed ! 



Finding the further ascent almost if not altogether 

 impracticable at the present state of the tide, I 

 ordered the boat back to Point Escape, and landed, 

 accompanied by Mr. Helpman, and a seaman, in- 

 tending to return on foot. 



