turned to a place on the river, at which I
had rested during a shower, and slept there. In the morning I again
went to the spot to examine the north-eastern branch, when I was
equally disappointed. I then examined the space between the two creeks,
opposite to the main channel of the river, and where the bank receives
the force of the current. Here I saw water in the reeds, but it was
scarcely ankle deep, and was running off to the north-west quicker than
the waters of the river, which had almost an imperceptible motion, I
was therefore at once convinced that it was not permanent, but had
lodged there in the night, during which much rain had fallen. I next
pushed my way through the reeds into the marsh, and at length clearly
perceived that the waters which were perfectly sweet, after running
several courses, flowed off to the north, towards which point there was
an apparent declination or dip. Finding it impossible to proceed
further, I regained the boat, and thence returned to the camp, under a
conviction that I had reached the very spot, at which Mr. Oxley lost
the channel of the river in 1818.

The next day I moved to the place where Mr. Hume had struck upon the
channel of the river, but was again doubtful in what direction to
proceed.

The marsh, at the commencement of which we now found ourselves, being
the third from Mount Foster, but the second great one, seemed to extend
beyond us to the north for many miles, but varying in breadth. In the
evening I went in the boat up the channel, and found it at first, deep
and sullen, as that of the river above. It soon however, narrowed, and
the weeds formed over its surface, so that I abandoned the boat and
walked along a path up it. I had not gone far when the channel divided;
two smaller channels came, the one from the southern, and the other
from the western parts of the marsh into it. There was an evident
declination where they were, and it was at their junction the river
again rallied and formed. On my return to the camp, Mr. Hume and I went
down the river, but found that about a mile it lost itself, and spread
its waters ever the extensive marsh before it.

In this extremity, I knew not what movement to make, as Mr. Hume had
been checked in his progress north. I therefore determined to ascertain
the nature of the country to the eastward and to the westward, that I
might move accordingly; I proposed to Mr. Hume, to take a week's
provisions, with two attendants, and g