58 
SALT-WATER RIVER. 
and that for the future I would follow the same 
system also ; and that each should depend upon his 
own exertions in procuring food ; hinting to him that 
as he was so much more skilful than I was, and as 
we had so very little flour left, I should be obliged 
to reserve this entirely for myself, but that I hoped 
he would have no difficulty in procuring as much 
food as he required. I was then about to open the 
flour-bag and take a little out for my supper, when 
he became alarmed at the idea of getting no more, 
and stopped me, offering the other opossum, and 
volunteering to cook it properly for me. Trifling 
as this little occurrence was, it read me a lesson of 
caution, and taught me what value was to be placed 
upon the assistance or kindness of my companion, 
should circumstances ever place me in a situation to 
be dependent upon him ; I felt a little hurt too, at 
experiencing so little consideration from one whom 
I had treated with the greatest kindness, and who 
had been clothed and fed upon my bounty, for the 
last fifteen months. 
May 30. — In commencing our journey this morn- 
ing, our route took us over undulating hills, devoid of 
timber, but having occasionally small patches of 
very rich land in the valleys and upon some of the 
slopes. This continued to a salt-water river, broad, 
and apparently deep near the sea. As I was doubtful 
whether it would have a bar-mouth to seawards, I 
thought it more prudent to trace it upwards, for the 
purpose of crossing. At no very great distance it 
