COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
437 
the tide, we did not stay to examine it; and, 
therefore, deferred our visit until our return. 
Three miles farther up we put ashore to rest, 
and refresh the boat’s crew ; and whilst I was 
occupied at the beach, Mr. Hunter ascended the 
hill to examine the country, but found only a 
continuation of the same rocky hills and steril 
desert. The character of the river had assumed 
nearly the same appearance as Hunter and Roe’s 
Rivers in Prince Frederic’s Harbour, excepting 
that the hills were less precipitous and rather more 
wooded. About two miles beyond our station 
the width began to decrease, and the stream to 
take a more winding course: the banks were 
also lower, and the mangroves appeared to in- 
crease in quantity ; but, unlike the other rivers, 
the bottom was of sand, and there was scarcely 
any mud, excepting on the banks where the 
mangroves grew. Several places were observed 
upon the hills where the trees and grass had 
been burnt by fire, but otherwise there was no 
sign of the banks of the river ever being fre- 
quented by natives. 
By the time we had refreshed ourselves it was 
getting late, and we set out on our return ; the 
tide had now ebbed considerably, and exposed 
several banks which, having been covered, had 
before escaped our observation ; we grounded on 
1820. 
Oct. 
11 — 12 . 
