andstone were
strewed over this height, caused it to bear a strong resemblance to old
ruins. The appearance of the country had not as yet improved, though the
sandstone had lost that reddish hue we had noticed in the morning, while
preserving the very marked dip to the south-east.

Continuing we found the change in the direction of the river very slight,
and at the end of sixteen miles it suddenly turned off to the eastward,
which I was sorry to find, as its diverging from its original
south-easterly direction, appeared likely to disappoint our expectation
that the Victoria would prove a highroad to the interior of the
continent. The width had hitherto been almost two miles, but there was
not sufficient depth to give us any hope of bringing the ship up thus
far.

APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY.

The country now began to assume a more cheerful aspect. The hills
exhibited no longer the same rugged outline, and were better clothed with
vegetation. From the top of one of a conical group, forming the north
point of the river where it changes to the eastward, I could trace its
direction but little further.

On the opposite side the hills receded, forming an amphitheatre round a
level plain, through which ran a creek. On its banks, for the first time,
we saw fires of the natives. Here, also for the first time, we noticed
the gouty-stem trees; whilst the slope of the hill we ascended was
covered with a tolerable sprinkling of grass. Kangaroos, likewise, were
observed on every side springing along the turf; and a few great
alligators passed up the stream, after reconnoitering our boat at the
risk of a shot or two.

We were now nearly thirty miles from the ship; and a few stations were
still necessary to be made to complete the survey so far. Our proceeding
farther was therefore useless, especially as an exploring expedition must
pass up the river; and retracing our steps we reached the ship near
midnight on the 20th. The intelligence of the success of our cruise was
received on board with an enthusiasm which explorers only can appreciate.
Mr. Fitzmaurice had not returned, which favoured my surmises that he
would find a river.

October 21.

Mr. Forsyth having collected all the necessary material for the survey
near the ship, we shifted our berth this afternoon into deeper water,
between the south end of Quoin Island and another small islet to the
south-west, which from our operations on its south-eastern corner we
called Obs