Ill 
CHAPTER V. 
Character of the country — Damage of provisions — Adroitness of the 
natives in catching fish — The skiff broken up — Stream from the 
North-East supposed to be the Darling — Change of country in 
descending the river — Intercourse with the natives — Prevalence 
of loathsome diseases among them — Apparent populousness of 
the country — Junction of several small streams — the Rufus, 
the Lindesay, &c. — Rainy and tempestuous weather — Curious 
appearance of the banks — Troublesomeness of the natives — In- 
hospitable and desolate aspect of the country — Condition of the 
men — Change in the geological character of the country — The 
river passes through a valley among hills. 
Arrived once more at the junction of the two rivers, and 
unmolested in our occupations, we had leisure to examine it 
more closely. Not having as yet given a name to our first 
discovery, when we re-entered its capacious channel on this 
occasion, I laid it down as the Murray River, in compliment 
to the distinguished officer, Sir George Murray, who then 
presided over the colonial department, not only in com- 
pliance with the known wishes of his Excellency General 
Darling, but also in accordance with my own feelings as a 
soldier. 
