270 Kennedy's expedition. 



When we got back to the boats, we immediately 

 proceeded down the creek, being' anxious to get 

 clear of the intricate navigation before dark. We 

 succeeded in getting' into the open river with diffi- 

 culty, the numerous snags and branches of trees in 

 the creek, together with the strong current, requiring 

 great precaution to prevent our boats being stove. 



A few yards above the place pointed out by 

 Jackey in the morning, where Mr. Kennedy came 

 down to the river for the purpose of crossing, we 

 found the water very shallow, not ankle deep, right 

 across ; had they waited until low water they might 

 have crossed without difficulty ; as we pulled down 

 the river we found numerous shoals, our boat 

 constantly grounding ; in fact Escape Eiver is not 

 a river, but an estuary, terminating in swamps. 



At eleven we arrived at the entrance of the river, 

 where I camped for the night, on a sandy beach 

 not far from Point Shadwell, having determined to 

 examine the native camp at daybreak. Set a watch, 

 but made no fire, as I wanted to take the natives 

 by surprise. 



May 9th. — Blowing very hard all night from 

 S. E. 5 passed a miserable night — the mosquitoes 

 devouring us. At break of day launched our boats 

 and pulled towards the camp where we had seen 

 the natives the day before. Some of the party went 

 along the beach. On arriving at the camp found it 

 had very recently been abandoned ; one of Jackey's 

 companions saw one native, who ran into the bush 

 and was seen no more. 



