23rd August.
Resumed our journey at 7.15 a.m., following the right bank of the river
to the east-north-east; it soon passed between two steep rocky hills and
turned to the north. Continuing our course a short distance, rocky hills
compelled us to turn north-north-east to regain the banks of the river,
following an ana-branch till 11.0 a.m., when it joined the main channel,
which then trended north-east; at 11.30 came to a small grassy flat,
along the banks of the river, and camped. The valley of the river is now
more open, but the country of very barren character, with stunted
eucalypti and triodia on the hills, and melaleuca and flooded-gum trees,
with a little grass, on the bank of the river. The hills have decreased
in height, the upper strata thick-bedded coarse sandstone with sandstone
shale beneath; hard white sandstone exists in some of the lower ridges.
Latitude by Vega 17 degrees 56 minutes 37 seconds; longitude by lunar
distances 138 degrees 22 minutes 7 seconds.
24th August (Sunday).
Although this was not a good spot for a day's halt, yet it was requisite
the horses should have a day's rest, and, as it was Sunday, remained at
the camp. While collecting the horses a native woman and child were seen
at a distance, in the bed of the river; but on being approached hid
themselves in the reeds, and though the grass was set on fire in several
places by the blacks, they were not seen again.
25th August.
Resumed our journey down the river at 8.5 a.m., the general course being
east; at 2.35 p.m. camped at a nymphae pool in one of the side channels
of the river. The country was now more level and open, with grassy flats
along the river, but the back country rose into low rocky sandstone
hills, thinly clothed with white-gum and triodia. At noon we crossed a
sandstone ridge, from which the view was extensive, but, except on a
range of hills fifteen miles north of our position and terminating
abruptly on a north-east bearing, there was nothing visible but low and
flat wooded country. The bed of the river is a quarter of a mile wide,
consisting of broad sandy channels with low sandy ridges between covered
with melaleuca and acacia trees. Some of the party walked down the river
and came to the camp of some blacks; but only one lame old man remained,
who made a great noise to frighten away the invaders of his country.
Latitude by a Aquilae 17 degrees 54 minutes 18 seconds.
26th August.
Followed down the river from 6.45 a.m. till 1.40 p.m., the general course
being east. The country is now more level, and ironstone conglomerate
forms low steep banks to the river, the bed of which is unchanged, being
broad dry sandy channels. The back country shows no improvement, and is
covered with triodia. Some blacks were seen on the left bank of the
river, but though within hearing of our horses' bells, did not appear to
notice us.
Latitude by z and a Aquilae 17 degrees 54 minutes 10 seconds.
27th August.
The course of the river continued nearly east, and we followed its right
bank from 7.30 a.m. till 1.5 p.m., when we camped at a fine pool of water
in one of the side channels, the main channel continuing dry and sandy.
The country on the immediate bank of the river was openly wooded with
box, flooded-gum, leguminous ironbark, and melia, and was scantily
grassed; the soil a brown sandy loam. Beyond the influence of the floods
the ground was quite level; small terminalia, broad-leafed melaleuca, and
silver-leafed ironbark, with dry triodia, formed the entire vegetation of
this worthless plain. Ironstone conglomerate and sandstone boulders are
the only rocks visible.
Latitude by Vega 17 degrees 56 minutes 32 seconds.