that of its liability to flood would, most probably, be nearest to truth.  It is, however, certain that any part of the valley would require much labour before it could be brought under cultivation, and that even its most available spots would require almost as much trouble to clear them as the forest tract, for nothing is more difficult to destroy than reeds.  Breaking the sod would, naturally, raise the level of the ground, and lateral drains would, most probably, carry off all floods, but then the latter, at least, is the operation of an advanced stage of husbandry only.  I would, however, observe that there are many parts of the valley decidedly above the reach of flood.  I have, in the above observations, been particularly alluding to the lowest and broadest portions of it.  I trust I shall be understood as not wishing to over-rate this discovery on the one hand, or on the other, to include its whole extent in one sweeping clause of condemnation.

On the 14th, the wind still continued to blow fresh from the N.W.  It moderated at noon, and assisted us beyond measure.  We passed our first encampment, but did not see any natives.

Cordiality of the natives.

On the 15th, the wind was variable at daylight, and a dense fog was on the river.  As the sun rose, it was dissipated and a light breeze sprung up from W.S.W.  We ran up the stream with a free sheet for six hours, when we stopped for a short time to get the kettle boiled.  Four natives joined us, but with the exception of the lowest tribe upon the right bank, we had not seen any number.  We were extremely liberal to this tribe, in consequence of the satisfaction they evinced at our return.  We had alarmed them much on our passage down the river by firing at a snake that was swimming across it.  We, at first, attempted to kill it with the boat-hook, but the animal dived at our approach, and appeared again at a considerable distance.  Another such dive would have ensured his escape, but a shot effectually checked him, and as the natives evinced considerable alarm, we held him up, to show them the object of our proceedings.  On our return, they seemed to have forgotten their fright, and received us with every demonstration of joy.  The different receptions we met with from different tribes are difficult to be accounted for.

The country appeared to rise before us, and looked more hilly to the N.W. than I had supposed it to be.  Several fine valleys branched off from the main one to the westward, and, however barren the heights that confined them were, I am inclined to think, that the distant interior is fertile.  The marks of kangaroos were numerous, and the absence of the natives would indicate that they have other and better means of subsisting in the back country than what the river affords.

In the evening, we again ran on for two hours and a half, and reached the first of the cliffs.

On the 16th, we were again fortunate in the wind, and pressed up the river as long as day-light continued.  At the termination of our journey, we found ourselves a day’s journey in advance.  This inspirited the men, and they began to forget the labours they had gone through, as well as those that were before them.