28 MOUNT FOSTER AND ITS N ElOHIiOURIIOOD. 
alluvial deposit, is not of the best ; nor vras vegetation either 
fresh or close upon it. As soon as the party stopped, I 
crossed the river, and lost no time in ascending the hill, 
being anxious to ascertain if any fresh object was visible 
from its summit. I thought that from an eminence so 
much above the level of the surrounding objects, I might 
obtain a view of the marshes, or of water; but I was wholly 
disappointed. The view was certainly extensive, but it was 
otherwise unsatisfactory. Again to the N. W. the lowlands 
spread in darkness before me ; there were some considerable 
plains beyond the near wood ; but the country at the foot 
of the hill appeared open and promising. Although the 
river line was lost in the distance, it was as truly pointed 
out by the fires of the natives, which rose in upright co- 
lumns into the sky, as if it had been marked by the trees 
upon its banks. 
To the eastward, Arbuthnot’s range rose high above the 
line of the horizon, bearing nearly due East, distant seventy 
miles. The following sketch of its outlines will convey a 
better idea of its appearance from Mount Foster than any 
written description. 
..(I k... 
I staid on the mount until after sunset, but I could not 
make out any space that at all resembled the formidable 
barrier I knew we were so rapidly approaching. I saw no- 
thing to check our advance, and I therefore returned to the 
camp, to advise with Mr. Hume upon the subject. Not 
