EXAMINE THE SOUTHERN BRANCH. 305 



anxiously hoped it would prove to be, divided into two 

 branches, one continuing in a southerly direction, and 

 the other turning short off to the westward. Thouo^h 

 the latter had a greater volume of water passing 

 through it than the other, I still, from the direction 

 and size of the south arm, decided on ascending it 

 first. For some distance the banks had been less 

 fringed with mangroves, leaving clear patches 

 covered with coarse grass. The trees on the 

 side of the first reach in the southerly arm were 

 laden with the snowy plumage of a large flock of 

 cockatoos. After proceeding about five miles fur- 

 ther we rested a few hours, continuing again soon 

 after midnight. As the tides run twelve hours each 

 way, it was necessary that we should take advantage 

 of the favourable stream, whatever might be the 

 hour, though this plan kept the men for a very long 

 time too^ether at the oars. 



The general direction we pursued was still south, 

 for six miles by the windings of the stream, which 

 was so reduced in breadth and volume, as to be 

 scarcely a hundred yards wide, and not a fathom 

 deep. There was now little hope that it would lead 

 into fresh water, although, from the number of trials 

 that were made, I am sure there was salt water 

 enough drank to have physicked a whole village. 



The banks were still of the same monotonous 

 character. In one of the reaches I was fortunate 

 enough to shoot a specimen of the large wary brown- 

 coloured rail I have before mentioned. From 



VOL. II. X 



