VOYAGE TO NEW SOUTH WALES. 
mentioned. Here the tide ceafedtoflow; and all further 
progrefs for boats was flopped by a flat fpace of large broad 
flones, over which a frefli water ftream ran. Juft above this 
flat, elofe to the water-fide, we difcovered a quarry of flates;: 
from which we expeded to derive great advantage in refpeA 
to covering our houfes, flores, &c. it being a material 
beyond conception difficult to be procured in this country ; 
but on trial it was found of no ufe, as it proved to be of 
a crumbling and rotten nature. On this frefh water flream, 
as well as on the fait, we faw a great many ducks and teal j 
three of which we fhot in the courfe of the day, befides 
two crows, and fome loraquets. About four in the after- 
noon, being near the head of the flream, and fomewhat 
apprehenfive of rain, we pitched our tents, before the grafs 
became wet, a circumflance which would have proved very 
uncomfortable during the night. Here we had our ducks 
picked, ftuffed with fome flices of fait beef, and roafled; 
and never did a repafl feem more delicious ; the fait beef, 
ferving as a palatable fubftitute for the want of fait, gave 
it an agreeable relifh. The evening cleared up, and the 
night proved dry. During the latter, we heard a noife 
which not a little furprifed us, on account of its refemblance 
3 to 
