BRINE SPRINGS IN THE RIVER. 95 
existing upon the other plains. Both emus and kangaroos 
were seen, though not in any considerable numbers, but 
our dogs were not in a condition to run, and were ail but 
killed by the extreme heat of the weather. We had fallen 
on a small pool of water shortly after we started in the 
morning, but we could do no more than refresh ourselves 
and the animals at it. In the afternoon, we again turned 
towards the river, and found it unaltered. Its water was 
still salt, and from the increased number of wild fowl and 
pelicans upon it, as well as from the general flatness of the 
country, I certainly thought we were rapidly approaching 
some inland sea. It was, however, uncertain how long we 
should be enabled to continue on the river. The animals were 
all of them extremely weak, and every day increased the pro- 
bable difiiculty of our return. There was not the least 
appearance of a break-up of the drought, the heavens 
were without a cloud, and the atmosphere was so clear that 
the outline of the moon could be distinctly seen, although 
she was far in her wane. 
On the 6th, we journeyed again through a barren scrub, 
although on firmer ground, and passed numerous groups of 
huts. At about eight miles from our last encampment, we 
came upon the river, where its banks were of considerable 
height. In riding along them, Mr. Hume thought he ob- 
served a current running, and he called to inform me of the 
circumstance. On a closer examination, we discovered some 
springs in the very bed of the river, from which a consider- 
able stream was gushing, and from the incrustation around 
