PICTURESQUE SCENERY. 311 



not refrain from leaving, at the place where we 

 landed, the perplexing legacy of a few presents. 

 With what curious anxiety must these people have 

 traced our footmarks, from which alone they could 

 gather evidence that we belonged to a different 

 race ! 



After making two miles in a south and nearly 

 three in a west direction, with but few interruptions 

 from windings, we opened a splendid sheet of water, 

 trending S. W. ^ S. A mile back I had found, in 

 a crooked reach, some native huts, built of sticks 

 and neatly plastered over, with doors so narrow that 

 none of our broad-shouldered fellows could enter. 



At this place we saw the last whistling ducks on 

 our way up ; further on, other species, to be here- 

 after mentioned, were found. A large alligator also 

 afforded us sport, although we did not secure him. 



The country was gradually becoming perceptibly 

 higher, and the scenery extremely picturesque. 

 Tall palm-trees and bamboos were now to be seen 

 among the rich foliage on the lower slope of the 

 banks, that rose here to an elevation of fifty feet, and 

 were much intersected with water-courses. Onwards 

 we hurried ; the influence of the tide being scarcely 

 felt, and the river preserving its S. W. ^ S. direction, 

 with a width of two hundred yards, and a depth of 

 two fathoms and a half. At the end of three miles 

 no change was perceptible, and we began to con- 

 gratulate ourselves on, at last, having found a stream 

 that would carry the boats far towards the point it 



