FURTHER ATTEMPT TO EXPLORE THE RIVER. 99 
than usual ; but it soon gave place to the sandy loam of 
the interior; nor did we observe any material alteration, 
either in the country or the river, as we rode along. The 
flooded-gum trees on the banks of the latter, were of 
beautiful growth, but in the brushes dividing the plains, 
box and other eucalypti, with cypresses and many minor 
shrubs, prevailed. We slept on the river side, and cal- 
culated our distance from the camp at about twenty-six 
or twenty-eight miles. 
The horses would not drink the river water, so that we 
were obliged to give them a pint each from our own supply. 
On the following morning we continued our journey. The 
country was generally open to the eastward, and we had 
fine views of D’Urban’s Group, distant from twenty to 
twenty-five miles. About noon, turning towards the river 
to rest, both ourselves and the horses, we passed through 
brush land for about a mile and a half. When we came 
upon its banks, we found them composed of a red loam 
with sandy superficies. We had, in the course of the day, 
crossed several creeks, but in none of them could we find 
water, although their channels were of great depth. 
The day had been extremely warm, and from shaking in 
the barrel our supply of water had diminished to a little more 
than a pint ; it consequently became a matter of serious con- 
sideration, how far it would be prudent to proceed farther ; 
for, however capable we were of bearing additional fatigue, 
it was evident our animals would soon fail, since they 
trembled exceedingly, and had the look of total exhaustion. 
H 2 
