LEAVE-TAKING. 
177 
This is, indeed, the only bewildering part of the river ; 
as, when once entered, there is no difficulty in following 
the right channel. The stream will always shew the 
course ; since by keeping the vessel’s head to the current, 
or to the ebb in a tide-way, it must lead to the main 
trunk of the river ; so that no channel pursued upwards, 
can lead in a wrong direction, and though perhaps it 
may not have the deepest water, it will generally be 
found to bisect the Delta. 
The main branch of the river, which we caU the Nun, 
lies directly opposite to Louis Creek, and is the one 
declared to be the best by that poor fellow. There is a 
long shoal stretching nearly across, from the point on 
the left bank, making it necessary at first to keep the 
opposite shore close on-board. 
Having passed this, we arrived at where the ‘Albert’ 
had anchored last night ; and after proceeding a little 
farther. Lieutenant Levinge, Commander of H.M.S. 
‘ Buzzard ’ — who piloted the ‘ Albert’ over the bar, and 
had accompanied the vessels thus far up the river — now 
took his departure ; his boat’s crew saluting each of the 
vessels as they passed upwards with three hearty cheers, 
which were responded to with that buoyancy of hopeful 
feeling we all entertained. 
Lieutenant Levinge had in his charge the letters for 
England, all doubtless full of bright prospects never to 
be realized ; and, alas ! in too many cases, the last out- 
pourings of affection kind friends were ever to receive. 
The Nun branch, soon after leaving Louis Creek, was 
VOL. ]. 
N 
