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APPENDIX. NO. V. 
eighteen miles from us. Unwilling, however, to give up 
our pursuit, Mr. Hume and I started with two men on 
horseback, to trace the river as far as we could, and to as- 
certain what course it took ; in the hopes also that we 
should fall on some creek, or get a more certain supply of 
drinkable water. We went a distance to which the bullocks 
could not have been brought, and then got on a red sandy 
soil, which at once destroyed our hopes ; and on tasting the 
river water we found it salter than ever, our supply being 
diminished to two pints. Our animals being weak and 
purged, and having proceeded at least forty miles from the 
camp, I thought it best to yield to circumstances, and to 
return, though I trust I shall be believed when I add, it 
was with extreme reluctance I did so ; and had I followed 
the wishes of my party, I should still have continued on- 
wards. Making a part of the river where we had slept, we 
staid to refresh, and in consequence of the heat of the wea- 
ther were obliged to drink the wathr in it, which made us 
sick. While here, a tribe of blacks came to us and be- 
haved remarkably well. At night we slept on a plain with- 
out water, and the next day we regained the camp, which 
had been visited by the natives during our absence. 
We found the river held a south-west course, and ap- 
peared to be making for the central space between a high 
land, which I called Dunlop’s Range, at Mr. Hume’s re- 
quest, and a lofty range to the westward. It still continued 
its important appearance, having gained in breadth and in 
the height of its banks, while there were hundreds of peli- 
cans and M'ild-fowl on it. Flowing through a level country 
with such a channel, it may be presumed that this river ul- 
timately assumes either a greater character, or that it adds 
