Curiosity peak.

The peak on the right bank we named, from the passion it assisted us in gratifying, Curiosity Peak.  Landing at the foot we were not long reaching the summit, although the thermometer was 90 degrees in the shade.  The river formed a remarkable feature in the landscape before us, to the north-east; and behind it rose a high table-range of hills, from five to six hundred feet in elevation.  These were capped with low reddish-coloured cliffs.

Whirlwind plains.

At their feet stretched an extensive and seemingly boundless plain in a north-east direction, whilst on the south-east side, and distant about eighteen miles from where we stood, low ranges of hills were visible.  Here and there over the plains were many small whirlwinds appearing in the distance like streaks of smoke curling upwards through the air.  These, though affording relief to the eye in the wide prospect that opened before us, are fraught with danger when occurring on the river; for on one occasion they nearly upset the gig, and threatened to consign its crew to a watery grave.  In the present instance they gave an impulse to our invention, suggesting the propriety of designating the level tract of country before us, Whirlwind Plains.  The high land rising suddenly out of it, and bounding it very abruptly on the north-west side, we named Sea Range.  We could trace the river passing along at its foot in an East-North-East direction for nine miles, when it appeared to cross the plain; a large island lying midway changed its course for a short distance.

I found a strange kind of fruit growing in a hollow, near the top of Curiosity Peak; the tree was small and leafless, with the fruit hanging in bunches about the size of a damascene plum, of the colour of a peach, and containing a large stone.  I afterwards had a pie made of this fruit, which proved to be by no means bad eating.

Besides the sandstone of which the peak is composed, I found a kind of slate on the north-west side.  Several banks showed themselves, leaving at that time of tide scarcely a boat channel, although the river was a mile wide at high-water.  A great part of the day was occupied in collecting material for the chart of this part, and we passed the night near the foot of Curiosity Peak.  On the grassy flat opposite, I killed five white ibises at a shot.

At sunset, I noticed large flocks of a rather small brown pigeon, constantly flying from Whirlwind Plains to the north-west, and back again in the morning.  The mosquitoes did not give us any peace again this night.

Encounter an alligator.

November 3.