No inhabitants were seen, but the fires that were burning in all directions proved that they could not be far off.

May 7.

The next morning we were underweigh and steering along the coast to the westward towards a low but extensive island; and, as we approached, we found that it fronted a very considerable opening in the land, extending into the interior under the eastern base of Mount Hooper.  The channel between the island and the main appearing clear, we did not hesitate to pass through, and within half a mile of the island, where the channel was evidently the deepest, we sounded in eight and nine fathoms.  As soon as we entered the opening it assumed a similar appearance to that of the river we examined yesterday, but it was very much more considerable and excited very sanguine hopes in our minds.  Besides the low island above-mentioned there is another of smaller size between it and the west point of entrance; so that there are three entrances.  The islands were called Barron and Field Islands, after my friend, then presiding as Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

As we proceeded, the depth continued to be so even, and to shoal so gradually, that we ran up it for six miles, when, as it was near noon, we anchored and landed on the eastern bank, to observe the sun’s meridional altitude; but, from the muddy state of the banks, we had great difficulty in reaching the shore.  On returning to the vessel, we sailed further up, and, at high water anchored near the end of the first reach, and made preparations for its further investigation.  The tide then began to ebb at the rate of three miles per hour, and continued with nearly that velocity during the whole tide.  During the evening our preparations were completed.

May 8.

And, at daybreak the next morning, I set off with Mr. Roe and Mr. Cunningham for my companions:  when we left the cutter the flood was just making, so that we had the advantage of the whole of the tide, which lasted until noon, when we landed, and observed the latitude to be 12 degrees 38 minutes 47 seconds.  Our situation was within three miles of a hill bearing South 25 1/2 degrees West, the bearing of which having previously been taken from the cutter’s present anchorage, enabled me to decide with tolerable accuracy upon the station we had reached.

This river, as far as we had examined it, a distance of thirty-six miles, differed from the other only in being of larger size.  At the place where the latitude was observed, it was about one hundred and fifty yards wide.  From the anchorage the channel deepened from five to eight fathoms, and this depth continued tolerably even and regular for nine miles.  It then began to decrease; and, at the furthest part we reached the depth at high water was two and a half fathoms.  The banks, which were in most parts thickly lined with mangroves, and in no part more than three feet above high-water mark, are formed of soft