384 
JOURNEY ACROSS THE 
[1813. 
have head or heart for such an undertaking, yet the 
time may come when such an improvement may be 
made. A cooling wind generally rises a little after 
noon, which is peculiarly acceptable in such scorching 
days. While at dinner a whirlwind had nearly carried 
the tent in which we sat into the air. Our table and 
dishes were covered with sand, so that no one could 
taste a morsel more. At four, P.M. we departed, hav- 
ing been detained by the repairing of our wheel, and 
travelled N.W. till six, P.M. when, on account of the 
roughness of our way, we were obliged to halt for the 
night. 
£8th. Thermometer at sun-rise 46: at noon 66* 
Tlie morning being cool, we departed at seven, and 
continued travelling over stones and red sand until ele- 
ven, A.M. when we again reached the river, which 
makes a circuit round the north point of a range of 
hills, the south end of which we passed, and named 
them Stuart Hills. At three, P.M. we proceeded. As 
the waggons were again obliged to pass round some 
hills before they could rejoin the river, three or four of 
us walked along its banks, but though pleasant it was 
extremely fatiguing; there were many rocks to climb 
over, and thickets of trees and bushes to penetrate 
through ; however, I was repaid by a sight of the hippo- 
potamus, or sea cow, which stood in the river nearly 
covered with water, into which it sunk, and rose at 
intervals to get fresh air. There it remains, and feels 
enjoyment from doing so, the whole day ; and during 
the night it grazes in the vicinity of the river. At seven, 
