68 SURVEY OF THE RIVER AND ENVIRONS. 
was of no consideration, and even if eventually the boat 
should not be wanted, no injury would arise, and it was 
better to take time by the forelock. Having marked a tree 
preparatory to leaving the camp, M'Leay and I started at 
an early hour on an excursion of deeper interest than any 
we had as yet undertaken j to examine the reeds, not only 
for the purpose of ascertaining their extent, if possible, but 
also to guide us in our future measures. We rode for some 
miles along the river side, but observed in it no signs, either 
of increase or of exhaustion. Its waters, though turbid, 
were deep, and its current still rapid. Its banks, too, were 
lofty, and showed no evidence of decreasing in height, so 
as to occasion an overflow of them, as had been the case 
with the Macquarie. We got among vast bodies of reeds, 
but the plains of the interior were visible beyond them. 
We were evidently in a hollow, and the decline of country 
was plainly to the southward of west. Every thing tended 
to strengthen my conviction that we were still far from the 
termination of the river. The character it had borne through- 
out, and its appearance now so far to the westward, gave 
me the most lively hopes that it would make good its way 
through the vast level into which it fell, and that its termi- 
nation would accord with its promise. Besides, I daily an- 
ticipated its junction with some stream of equal, if not of 
greater magnitude from the S.E. I was aware that my re- 
solves must be instant, decisive, and immediately acted upon, 
as on firmness and promptitude at this crisis the success of 
the expedition depended. About noon I checked my horse, 
