June 14 , 1858 .] 
ADDITIONAL NOTICES. 
379 
the mosquitoes kept themselves too fully occupied to allow of sleep, so we 
started again at daybreak. The river now begins to wear a different aspect, 
banks from 30 to 35 feet high show themselves with a few straggling gum- 
trees, but the mangroves in most places still line the river. We passed the 
30 feet red sandstone cliffs, when another of the men was taken ill. At 
Alligator Point we encamped for a short time for a rest, but at 11T5 a.m. 
started again and pulled on against the tide. Passing up Hope Peach I had 
three men unable to work. The country bears a better appearance ; undu- 
lating plains stretch away on each side of the river covered with gum-trees, 
having a very parched and arid appearance. Along the river sides are grow- 
ing a species of melaleuca and casuarina ; the river banks are much cut up by 
large ravines and gullies; these again are choked with trees and masses of 
earth. Camped at dusk near the tall palm-trees marked on the charts. I 
made a drink here that proved less disagreeable than pure salt-water, of which 
we all began to feel the effects : it was made by boiling flour, sugar, and 
salt-water together ; mixed thin it was drinkable. Two of the men, during 
the heat of the day, had become quite delirious, but in the cool of the even- 
ing they were much better. Wind during the day from the south ; 11-30 p.m. 
started with a fair tide. 
Nov. 15th . — At 2 - 15 a.m. came to the wished-for junction of the river at 
the end of Hope Reach ; one branch trending to the westward, the other 
running to the south. We pulled up the latter some distance, but could not 
find any fresh water, though there was certainly a slight improvement, it 
not being quite so salt. Camped until daylight, when we pulled up the 
river again, till it became choked with snags and fallen trees. A few tall 
palms, some pandanus, a small flagellaria cane, and a drooping melaleuca, 
were growing on the river banks, but even here mangroves are to be seen in 
small patches. Landed on the left bank of the river and came upon the tracks 
of Mr. Gregory’s party. Proceeding up this branch of the river to the south- 
ward, with two men, I followed the tracks of the horses for some distance, 
until they crossed the river ; here a number of trees had been barked ; we 
still followed the river for some distance, until it became very narrow and 
nothing but a dry watercourse. So far there was no fresh water procurable. 
I went to the Plains of Promise, which bear as barren an aspect as any country 
I had seen in North Australia. The soil is a light sandy loam; the grass had 
been burnt off, so that a few crooked gum-trees were the most conspicuous of 
the flora. After taking a good view of the surrounding country, which gave 
no appearance of improvement in any direction, we returned to the boat and 
pulled down to the junction. Before starting, I planted 200 tamarind-seeds 
on the river bank. At the landing-place the depth of this arm of the river 
is from 14 to 15 feet. Fish appeared scarce; vampire-bats very numerous. 
The river banks are much cut in here by small and deep watercourses ; I 
landed on the point, and found the marked tree of Mr. Gregory with directions 
where to find the letters, which I procured. The date of his arrival was on 
the 30th of August. Trees had also been cut here by the crew of the Torch , 
and the name of Lieut. Chimmo was cut in large letters on a gum-tree, dated 
August 3rd. Any letters that had been left by Lieut. Chimmo I concluded 
had been procured by Mr. Gregory. I left marks here by cutting my name 
upon a large gum-tree, with directions where to dig for a letter which I buried 
at the foot of the tree for Mr. Baines, as he had not yet arrived at the river. 
We pulled three miles up the western arm, and found the water very slightly 
brackish, so we camped for two hours and had a good pot of tea with a short 
sleep, which was very much needed. This arm of the river is full of dead 
snags ; it is much larger than the southern branch. There must be a fine 
supply of fresh water from a good source to be running so strong at this (the 
driest) season ; immense large forest trees lined the banks, having been 
