October 8.—­We proceeded on our course, passing over for upwards of three miles a good and open country:  the river three or four miles north of us.  We soon afterwards came to a very large fresh water lagoon on our left, several miles in circumference, with smaller branches from the valleys, which emptied itself into the river:  its point of discharge we could not discern.  At five miles we were stopped by a large run of fresh water, which, from its proximity to the sea, we conjectured fell into the lower part of the harbour.  At this place we were obliged to construct a bridge, which we did by two o’clock, sufficiently large and strong to take over the laden horses.  During the time we were thus employed, we heard the natives’ call close to us; and, on being answered, they immediately presented themselves to the number of ten, taking great care to show us, by lifting up their hands and clapping them together, that they were perfectly unarmed.  Seeing them not disposed to approach near us, I went towards them, when they all retired to a greater distance except three or four, among whom I recognised the young man from whom we had borrowed the canoe.  I made them several presents of fish hooks, and kangaroo skins, but could not get them to approach within a hundred yards of us.  After a short interval I left them, and mounting a horse, they on seeing me took to their heels and ran as for their lives.  They were all handsome, well-made men, stout in their persons, and showing evident signs of good living.  Crossing this run, we passed over an excellent and rich country; alternately thick brush and clear forest, with small streams of water for near four miles more, when, to our great joy and satisfaction, we arrived on the sea-shore about half a mile from the entrance of what we saw (with no small pleasure), formed a port to the river which we had been tracing from Sea View Mount.  Thus, after twelve weeks travelling over a country exceeding three hundred and fifty miles, in a direct line from the Macquarie River, without a single serious fatality, we had the gratification to find that neither our time nor our exertions had been uselessly bestowed; and we trusted that the limited examination, which our means would allow us to make of the entrance of this port, would ultimately throw open the whole interior to the Macquarie River, for the benefit of British settlers.  We pitched our tent upon a beautiful point of land, having plenty of good water and grass; and commanding a fine view of the interior of the port and surrounding country.  I purpose to remain here until Monday, by which period I expect to be enabled to complete (as far as possible, without the assistance of boats), the examination of the harbour’s mouth.