DISCOVERY OF THE RIVER.

The ground traversed by the party was firm and, when I overtook it within a mile and a half of the line of trees, we came suddenly on a river full to the very margin, and flowing slowly to the westward, its width being about 50 yards.  Not a tree grew near it, nor did I see any indication of a river until I reached the bank.

The ground presented an unbroken level, or declined slightly towards the line of trees which still marked, as I supposed, the course of the Murray.  We had no means of reaching it however, nor any alternative left but to change our route towards the east-south-east and travel along the bank of this river, in hopes it might at last approach the trees.  We found on the contrary that it receded from them towards a country without a single bush; and thus while the sun was setting on a raw frosty evening we could not encamp for want of fuel, although water and grass were abundant.  One solitary group of trees seeming to be on our side of the stream, though distant about two miles, Mr. Stapylton and myself galloped towards them, the party following.  There too we found the river, separating us even from these trees, three very small ones only being on our side, and likely to fall when cut into the stream.  It had become quite dark before we got to them but, by lighting some reeds, the rest of the party found its way to us; and there we encamped, although the green wood could not be made to burn, while the thermometer stood so low as 29 degrees.  We were perhaps more sensible of the want of fuel from the abundance so apparent on the banks of what seemed another river at so small a distance across the open plain.

DIFFERENT CHARACTER OF TWO RIVERS.

These streams flowing so near each other seemed in this respect distinctly different:  the one being edged with only reeds, the other with lofty trees like almost every interior river of New South Wales.

UNFORTUNATE RESULT OF PIPER’S INTERVIEW WITH THE NATIVES OF THE LAKE.

Piper came in soon after the carts arrived, bringing a sad account of his interview with the natives.  It appeared that, as soon as our party had proceeded to some distance from the lake, twelve men sprang from among the reeds armed with spears, boomerangs, etc., and when Piper accosted one of them, inquiring the name of the lake “I wont tell you,” was the answer (murry coolah, i.e. very angrily).  They then told him there was “too much ask” about him, and they blamed him for bringing the whitefellows there; adding that they did not like him; and an old man calling to the rest to kill him, for that he was no good, two spears were immediately thrown.  These Piper parried with his carabine, and then instantly discharged it at the foremost, wounding him in the right jaw.  The rest immediately disappeared among the reeds.  The wounded savage fell, but Piper loaded again and killed him by another shot through the body.  Such was Piper’s story.  I blamed him very much for firing at the wounded man, and I regretted exceedingly the result of his interview.  I was besides most anxious to maintain a good understanding with these people.