430 WANT OF WATER. 



of twenty fathoms, will give warning of a ship's 

 proximity to this danger, the limits of which have 

 been given on the occasion of our first visit to Cape 

 Hotham. 



Our stock of water being now much reduced, it 

 was necessary before proceeding further, that we 

 should procure a supply. As it was a matter of no 

 certainty that we should find sufficient on the coast 

 to the westward, it was at first suggested that we 

 should take the ship up the Adelaide and fill the 

 tanks from alongside. This would have been a 

 grand feat, having never before been accomplished 

 in any river in Australia. Indeed it was the only 

 one on the whole continent, which could carry up 

 a vessel of the Beadle's drauo;ht into fresh water. 

 An idea, the realization of which would so com- 

 pletely crown our exploration with success, naturally 

 gave rise to a great degree of enthusiasm and excite- 

 ment. Soon, however, more sober thoughts prevailed, 

 when we reflected on the time this proceeding would 

 consume, on account of the tortuous* course of the 

 river : time which we could, with our scanty stock of 

 provisions, ill spare. At Port Essington it was pos- 

 sible we should be able to get a supply of both, as a 

 ship might have arrived during our absence. More- 



* Nothing shews the flat nature of a country more than the 

 tortuous course of a stream passing through it. It is a want of 

 change in the level, which causes a river to twist and wind about 

 in search, as it were, of the weakest spot for its exit. 



