90 CROSS THE RIVER. fCH. IV. 



distance of half a mile from each bank, was broken and fur- 

 rowed into grassy hollows, resembling old channels ; so that 

 the slightest appearance of such inequality was a sure indica- 

 tion of the river being near, while we travelled parallel to 

 its course. The whole of the country beyond was so level, 

 that the slightest appearance of a hollow was a most welcome 

 sight, as it relieved us from any despair of finding water. 



At four o'clock this day, the thermometer stood at 97°, the 

 clouds were cumulostratus and cirrus, and there was a good 

 breeze from the north-east. 



Jan. 24. — The cattle being much fatigued by incessant 

 travelling during great heat, I left most of them at this 

 camp with Mr. White and half the men of the party, and I 

 crossed the river, with the other portion, and some pack- 

 animals carrying a small supply of provisions, some 

 blankets, &c. The river was accessible to the cattle at only 

 one place, the muddy bank by the water's edge being so soft, 

 that they were everywhere else in danger of sinking ; the 

 men were, therefore, obliged to carry the packages across, 

 and load the animals on the opposite bank. This work was 

 completed by ten a. m., and we proceeded due north, from 

 the depot camp. We soon saw a flock of eight emus. The 

 country consisted of open forest, which, growing gradually 

 thinner, at length left intervals of open plain. The ground 

 seemed to rise for the first mile, and then to slope northward 

 towards a wooded flat, which was likely to contain water, al- 

 though we found none there. Penetrating next through a 

 narrow strip of casuarinoe scrub, we found the remainsof native 

 huts; and beyond this scrub, we crossed a beautiful plain; 

 covered with shining verdure, and ornamented with trees, 

 which, although " dropt in nature's careless haste," gave the 

 country the appearance of an extensive park. We next en- 

 tered a brush of the acacia pendula, which grew higher and 

 more abundant than I had seen it elsewhere. 



After twelve, the day became excessively warm, and al- 

 though no water could be found, wc were compelled to en- 



