June 2.

We proceeded up the river with the boats, re infecta, and reached the depot about two o’clock, where we found all things going on as I had directed.

NATIVES IN CANOES.

As we pulled up the river two natives appeared at a distance in one of the long reaches, fishing in two small canoes.  On observing our boats they dashed the water up, paddling with their spears, and thus scudding with great rapidity to the right bank, where they left their canoes and instantly disappeared.  These vessels were of the simplest construction; so slight indeed that it seemed to us singular how a man could float in one, for it was merely a sheet of bark, with a little clay at each end; yet there was a fire besides in each, the weather being very cold.  A native, when he wishes to proceed, stands erect and propels the canoe with the short spear he uses in fishing; striking the water with each end alternately, on each side of the canoe, and he thus glides very rapidly along.

EXCURSION WITH A PARTY ON HORSEBACK.

June 3.

I set off with four men on horseback to examine the river downwards, proceeding first two miles on a bearing of 151 degrees, and then south-west.  At about 20 miles we made an angle of the river where the left bank was 50 feet high.  None of the usual indications of the neighbourhood of the Darling appeared here.  No flats of Polygonum junceum, nor falls in the ground.  The river was evidently encroaching on this high bank which consisted of red sandy earth to the depth of ten feet.  Below this stratum was clay mixed with calcareous concretions.  The opposite bank was lower and very grassy; and the water in the river was brackish; but a small spring oozing from the rocks above-mentioned, at about two feet above the water of the river, was perfectly sweet.  From this bend the highest point of D’Urban’s group bore 151 degrees (from north).  About one half of the way which we had come today lay across plains, the last portion we crossed containing several hollows, thickly overgrown with the Polygonum junceum.  Between these low parts the ground was rather more elevated than usual, especially where D’Urban’s group bore 163 degrees (from north).  The undulations were probably connected with that range, and their position afforded some clue to the western bends of the river.  We passed in a scrub a young gin and a boy.  They did not begin to run until we stood still and had called to them for some time.  As there was still light to spare I proceeded onward, travelling west-south-west, and with difficulty regained sight of the river at dusk.  Here the water was still more brackish but quite good enough for use; and we passed the night in a hollow by the riverside.

June 4.