30 
ENCAMP AMIDST REEDS. 
and sent Fraser into the reeds towards some dead trees, on 
which a number of spoonbills were sitting. He found that 
there was a small lake in the centre of the reeds, the resort 
of numerous wild fowl ; but although the men were enabled 
to quench their thirst, we found it impossible to water the 
animals. W e were obliged, therefore, to continue our course 
along the edge of the reeds ; which in a short time appeared 
in large masses in front of us, stretching into a vast plain, 
upon our right ; and it became evident that the whole neigh- 
bourhood was subject to extensive inundation. 
I was fearful that tbe reeds would have checked us ; but 
there was a passage between the patches, through which we 
managed to force our way into a deep bight, and fortunately 
gained the river at the bottom of it much sooner than we 
expected. We were obliged to clear away a space for the 
tents ; and thus, although there had been no such appear- 
ance from Mount Foster, we found ourselves in less than 
seven hours after leaving it, encamped pretty fai in that 
marsh for which we had so anxiously looked from its sum- 
mit, and now trusting to circumstances for safety, upon 
ground on which, in any ordinary state of the river, it would 
have been dangerous to have ventured. Indeed, as it was, 
our situation was sufficiently critical, and would not admit 
of hesitation on my part. 
After the cattle had been turned out, Mr. Hume and I 
acrain mounted our horses, and proceeded to the westward, 
with a view to examine the nature of the country before us, 
and to ascertain if it was still practicable to move along the 
