136 REFLECTIONS ON THE PROGRESS 
terminated our day’s pull it again changed its direction to 
the eastward of south. The right bank became lofty, and 
the left proportionably depressed. 
In consequence of the boisterous weather we had had, 
we were uncertain as to our precise situation, even in point 
of latitude. But I was perfectly aware that we were consi- 
derably to the south of the head of St. Vincent’s Gulf. I 
began, therefore, to contemplate with some confidence a 
speedy termination to our wanderings, or, at least, that we 
should soon reach the extreme point to which we could ad- 
vance. The sun was at this time out of my reach, since the 
sextant would not measure double the altitude. Observa- 
tions of the stars were, in like manner, uncertain, in con- 
sequence of the boisterous weather we had had, and the un- 
avoidable agitation of the quicksilver. My last observation 
of Antares placed us in latitude 34° 4' ; so that we were still 
115 miles from the coast. 
We had now been twenty-two days upon the river, and 
it was uncertain how long we should be in compassing the 
distance we had still to run. Considering all things, we 
had, as yet, been extremely fortunate; and I hoped that 
we should terminate our journey without the occurrence of 
any fatal accident. Had the country corresponded with 
the noble stream that traversed it, we should have been 
proportionably elated, but it was impossible to conceal from 
ourselves its inhospitable and unprofitable character, as 
far as we had, as yet, penetrated. If we except the partial 
and alluvial flats on the immediate borders, and in the 
neighbourhood of its tributaries and creeks, the Murray 
