CH. IV.] REDUCED STATE OF THE RIVER. 89 



channels we had crossed before we came to the running: 

 stream at our present encampment, could only be accounted 

 for, as separate ducts for the swollen waters of the river, 

 when no longer confined by any immediate high ground 

 to one great channel; and hence the attenuated state, (as we 

 inferred) of the actual bed of the stream. This I resolved to 

 trace through one day's journey, and then to cross, if we 

 found no change, and so proceed northward, 



Jan. 19. — We travelled, as the dense line of river-wood 

 permitted for eleven miles ; the ground outside this belt 

 being in general open and firmer than that nearer the 

 river, which was distinguished by certain inequalities, and 

 was besides rather thickly wooded. We found that on 

 a bearing of 20° south of west, we just cleared the southern 

 bends of the stream. We heard the natives in the woods, 

 during our journey, but none approached the party. In 

 order to encamp, we directed our course northward, and 

 making the river bank, after travelling one mile, we en- 

 camped upon it. I then sent Mr. White due north, in order 

 to ascertain if any other channel existed, but he found, on 

 the contrary, that the ground rose gradually beyond the river, 

 which convinced me that this, in which the water flowed, 

 was the most northerly channel. The latitude was 29° 31' 

 49^' S. 



Jan. 20. — I gave the party a day's repose, that I might 

 put my map together, and duly consider the general course 

 of the waters, as they appeared thereon, and also the actual 

 character of the stream, on which we were encamped. The 

 banks consisted of soft earth, having a uniform slope, and they 

 were marked with various horizontal lines, probably denot- 

 ing the height which the water had attained during different 

 floods. The river had a peculiar uniformity of width, and 

 would, therefore, but for the tortuous course, have resembled 

 a canal. The width was small in proportion to the depth, 

 and both were greatest at the sharp bends of the channel. 

 The water was of a white clay colour. The ground to the 



