212 EXPLORING TRIPS. [1844. 



ness), was brought to a true level. By this method we 

 founded on an almost inaccessible marine position, a dry, 

 comfortable, and efficient observatory. 



Having obtained all the data which we required at this 

 point of the river, we shifted the 'Samarang' about eight 

 miles higher up, until we met a fork of the stream which 

 afforded solid landing, and beyond which the shoal water 

 for the present interrupted the further advance of the 

 ship ; she was therefore secured here, and as no tidings 

 of our envoy, nor any human beings were discerned to 

 be moving in this region, preparations were made 

 for further exploration in the boats. The northern 

 arm was . first explored, but on the report of the 

 Officers, that it did not appear to offer a probable 

 course to the main river, we started on the 26th with 

 the whole boat division, on the western branch. 

 After an unsuccessful trip of two days, we returned, 

 under the impression that no river existed on that line of 

 coast, it being throughout salt, to its creeks ; we however 

 determined to make a second attempt on the east, and pro- 

 visioning for the extended period of fourteen days, again 

 started for a more minute investigation of the rejected line. 

 We soon found that it conducted us into a fine broad, and 

 magnificent river, and the fact of its being barely brackish, 

 was satisfactory evidence of our having gained the main 

 stream. As we advanced beyond the influence of salt 

 water, the scenery became more inviting, presenting clear 

 grassy meadow land, varied with gentle hills and knolls, 

 covered to their summits with the rich foliage peculiar to 

 the inland parts of Borneo. About 9, A.M., on the 30th 

 of December, we noticed what at first sight appeared to 



