COASTS OP AUSTRAIJA. 
49 
the rapid, pulled up the river against the tide 
for a mile farther, where it was suddenly ter- July 28 . 
minated by a beautiful fresh-water rivulet, whose 
clear, transparent stream was so great a con- 
trast to the thick, muddied water we had so long 
been pulling through, that it was a most grati- 
fying sight, and amply repaid us for all our 
fatigue and exertions. The fresh water was 
separated from the salt tide by a gentle fall over 
rounded stones ; but as the boat was unable to 
pass over them, we had only time to fill our water- 
vessels, in order to be certain of returning over 
the first rapid, before the strength of the stream 
rendered it dangerous to pass. The bed of the 
river, at this second fall, appeared to be about 
two hundred and fifty yards in breadth : its far- 
ther course was lost sight of by a sharp turn, 
first to the N.E., and then to the S.E., between 
high and rocky hills. 
Large groves of pandams and hibiscus, and a 
variety of other plants, were growing in great 
luxuriance upon the banks, but unhappily the 
sterile and rocky appearance of the country 
was some alloy to the satisfaction we felt at 
the first sight of the fresh water ; as we did not, 
however, expect to find a good country, the plea- 
sure was not much diminished, and we set off on 
VoL. II. E 
