OF THE EXPEDITION. 
137 
might be said to flow through a barren and sandy interior, 
dhe appearance of the country through which we passed 
on the 29th, was far from being such as to encourage us 
with the hopes of any change for the better. The river 
was enclosed, on either side, by the same kind of banks 
that have already been described ; and it almost appeared 
as if the plain had been rent asunder to allow of a passage 
for its waters. The view of the distant interior was un- 
satisfactory. It was, for the most part, covered with 
brush, but, at length, cypresses again made their appear- 
ance, although at a considerable distance from us. 
The river continued to flow to the southward, a circum- 
stance that gave me much satisfaction, for I now began 
to feel some anxiety about the men. They had borne their 
fatigues and trials so cheerfully, and had behaved so well, 
that I could not but regret the scanty provision that re- 
mained for them. The salt meat being spoiled, it had fallen 
to the share of the dogs, so that we had little else than 
flour to eat. Fish no one would touch, and of wild fowl 
there were none to be seen. The men complained of sore 
eyes, from the perspiration constantly running into them, 
and it was obvious to me that they were much reduced. 
It will be borne in mind, that we were now performing the 
earliest part of our task, and were going down with the 
stream. I was sure that on our return, (for I had no hopes 
of meeting any vessel on the coast,) we should have to make 
every day’s journey good against the current; and, if the 
men were now beginning to sink, it might well be doubted 
whether their strength would hold out. Both JVTLcay and 
