Patience of the men—­re-enter the Murray.  On the other hand, it was sufficiently evident to me, that the men were too much exhausted to perform the task that was before them without assistance, and that it would be necessary both for M’Leay and myself, to take our share of labour at the oars.  The cheerfulness and satisfaction that my young friend evinced at the opportunity that was thus afforded him of making himself useful, and of relieving those under him from some portion of their toil, at the same time that they increased my sincere esteem for him, were nothing more than what I expected from one who had endeavoured by every means in his power to contribute to the success of that enterprise upon which he had embarked.  But although I have said thus much of the exhausted condition of the men,—­and ere these pages are concluded my readers will feel satisfied as to the truth of my statement—­I would by no means be understood to say that they flagged for a moment, or that a single murmur escaped them.  No reluctance was visible, no complaint was heard, but there was that in their aspect and appearance which they could not hide, and which I could not mistake.  My object in dwelling so long upon this subject has been to point out our situation and our feelings when we re-entered the Murray.  The only circumstance that appeared to be in our favour was the prevalence of the south-west wind, by which I hoped we should be assisted in running up the first broad reaches of that river.  I could not but acknowledge the bounty of that Providence, which had favoured us in our passage across the lake, and I was led to hope that its merciful superintendance would protect us from evil, and would silently direct us where human foresight and prudence failed.  We re-entered the river on the 13th under as fair prospects as we would have desired.  The gale which had blown with such violence in the morning gradually abated, and a steady breeze enabled us to pass our first encampment by availing ourselves of it as long as day light continued.  Both the valley and the river showed to advantage as we approached them, and the scenery upon our left (the proper right bank of the Murray) was really beautiful.

CHAPTER VII.

Valley of the Murray—­Its character and capabilities—­Laborious progress up the river—­Accident to the boat—­Perilous collision with the natives —­Turbid current of the Rufus—­Passage of the Rapids—­Assisted by the natives—­Dangerous intercourse with them—­Re-enter the Morumbidgee—­ Verdant condition of its banks—­Nocturnal encounter with the natives—­ Interesting manifestation of feeling in one family—­Reach the spot where the party had embarked on the river—­Men begin to fail entirely—­ Determine to send two men forward for relief—­Their return—­Excursion on horseback—­Reach Pondebadgery Plain, and meet the supplies from the colony—­Cannibalism of the natives—­Return to Sydney—­Concluding remarks.