124 
PASS THREE CREEKS. 
Three creeks fell into the Murray hereabouts. One 
from the north, another from the N.E., and the third from 
the south. The two first were almost choaked up with the 
trunks of trees, but the last had a clear channel. Our tents 
stood on ground high above the reach of flood. The soil 
was excellent, and the brushes behind us abounded with a 
new species of melaleuca. 
The heat of the weather, at this time, was extremely op- 
pressive, and the thermometer was seldom under 100° of 
Fahr. at noon. The wind, too, we observed, seldom re- 
mained stationary for any length of time, but made its 
regular changes every twenty-four hours. In the morning, 
it invariably blew from tbe N.E., at noon it shifted to N.W., 
and as the sun set it flew round to the eastward of south. 
A few dense clouds passed over us occasionally, but no rain 
fell from them. 
Our intercourse with the natives had now been constant. 
We had found the interior more populous than we had any 
reason to expect ; yet as we advanced into it, the population 
appeared to increase. It was impossible for us to judge ot 
the disposition of the natives during the short interviews 
we generally had with them, and our motions were so rapid 
that we did not give them time to form any concerted 
plan of attack, had they been inclined to attack us. They 
did not, however, shew any disposition to hostility, but, 
considering all things, were quiet and orderly, nor did any 
instances of theft occur, or, at least, none fell under my 
notice. The most loathsome of diseases prevailed through- 
