128 
r.ARGE CREEK. 
off a short branch. It is singular tliat this should, even 
with these rude people, be a token of peace. As soon as 
they saw the branch, the natives laid aside their spears, 
and two of them advanced about twenty paces in front of 
the rest, who sat down. Mr. Hume then went forward and 
sat down, when the two natives again advanced and seated 
themselves close to him. 
Now it is evident that a little insight into the customs of 
every people is necessary to insure a kindly communication ; 
this, joined with patience and kindness, will seldom fail with 
the natives of the interior. It is not to avoid alarming their 
natural timidity that a gradual approach is so necessary. 
They preserve the same ceremony among themselves. 
These men, who were eighteen in number, came with us to 
the tents, and received such presents as we had for them. 
They conducted themselves very quietly, and, after a short 
time, left us with every token of friendship. 
On the 21st we proceeded down the river on aN.N.W. 
course, and at about five miles struck upon a very large 
creek, apparently coming from the E.N.E. 
Although the Castlereagh had increased in size, this 
creek was infinitely larger j it was, however, perfectly dry. 
Lofty flooded-gum trees were upon its banks, and it appeared 
so much superior to the river that I was induced to halt the 
party at the junction, in order to examine it more closely. 
Mr. Hume, therefore, rode with me up the right bank. We 
had not proceeded very far, when some natives called out 
to us from the opposite scrub. Thinking that they belonged 
