NARRATIVE OF MR. CARRON. 187 



large five-celled capsule, many seeded cells, the seeds 

 being wrapped in a white silky cotton. This tree 

 was deciduous, the leaves being- palmate, and grew 

 on stiff soil : its large crimson flowers attracted 

 universal admiration. 



We crossed the river at a spot where its banks 

 were not so steep, and where there was but from 

 one to three feet of water ; in some places the bottom 

 was sandy and in others rocky, but we could see 

 rock only in the bed of the river. We camped on 

 the side of the river, on some recently burned gTass ; 

 five of the party went fishing a short distance up 

 the river, and caught a few fish. The country here 

 to the west and the south-west was open undulating 

 forest land, which had been burned some short time 

 before, and the grass just growing again, formed 

 beautiful feed for our horses and sheep. 



Towards evening about six or eight natives made 

 their appearance, on the same side of the river as 

 our camp 5 when about two hundred yards from us 

 they shipped their spears in their throwing-sticks, 

 and with other warlike gestures gradually drew 

 near to us, making a great noise, doubtless thinking- 

 to frighten us. There being a wide deep gully 

 between the natives and our camp, we drew up 

 along the edge of it, with our fire-arms all ready to 

 give them a warm reception should they endeavour 

 to approach to closer hostilities. We endeavoured 

 to make them understand that our intentions were 

 friendly, and that \\ e wished them to be peaceable ; 



