Current of the Murray.

The current in the Murray from the lake, to within a short distance of this singular turn in it, is weak, since its bed is almost on a level with the lake.  The channel, which, at the termination, is somewhat more than the third of a mile across, gradually diminishes in breadth, as the interior is gained, but is nowhere under 300 yards; while its depth averages from eighteen to thirty feet, within a foot of the very bank.  The river might, therefore, be navigated by boats of considerable burden, if the lake admitted of the same facility; but I am decidedly of opinion, that the latter is generally shallow, and that it will, in the course of years, be filled up by depositions.  It is not, however, an estuary in any sense of the word, since no part of it is exposed at low water, excepting the flats in the channel, and the flat between the lake and the sea.

Accident to the boat.

On the 23rd, we stove the boat in for the first time.  I had all along anticipated such an accident, from the difficulty of avoiding obstacles, in consequence of the turbid state of the river.  Fortunately the boat struck a rotten log.  The piece remained in her side, and prevented her filling, which she must, otherwise, inevitably have done, ere we could have reached the shore.  As it was, however, we escaped with a little damage to the lower bags of flour only.  She was hauled up on a sand bank, and Clayton repaired her in less than two hours, when we reloaded her and pursued our journey.  It was impossible to have been more cautious than we were, for I was satisfied as to the fate that would have overtaken the whole of us in the event of our losing the boat, and was proportionably vigilant.

Molested by the natives.

At half-past five we came to an island, which looked so inviting, and so quiet, that I determined to land and sleep upon it.  We consequently, ran the boat into a little recess, or bay, and pitched the tents; and I anticipated a respite from the presence of any natives, as did the men, who were rejoiced at my having taken up so snug a berth.  It happened, however, that a little after sunset, a flight of the new paroquets perched in the lofty trees that grew on the island, to roost; when we immediately commenced the work of death, and succeeded in killing eight or ten.  The reports of our guns were heard by some natives up the river, and several came over to us.  Although I was annoyed at their having discovered our retreat, they were too few to be troublesome.  During the night, however, they were joined by fresh numbers, amounting in all to about eighty, and they were so clamorous, that it was impossible to sleep.

Natives become troublesome.