After going eight miles and a quarter, we suddenly came upon the banks of the river; I call it the river, for it could certainly be no other than the Lachlan, which we had quitted nearly five weeks before.  Our astonishment was extreme, since it was an incident little expected by any one.  It was here extremely diminished in size, but was still nearly equal in magnitude to the south-west branch which we last quitted.  The banks were about twelve or fourteen feet above the water, and it was running with a tolerably brisk stream to the westward.  The banks were so thickly covered with large eucalypti, that we did not perceive it until we were within a very few yards of it; it appeared about thirty feet broad, running over a sandy bottom.  I think it extremely probable that the waters of both the main branches, after losing a very considerable portion over the low grounds in the neighbourhood of Mount Cunningham and Field’s Plains, have again united and formed the present stream.

Our future course did not admit of any hesitation, and it was resolved to go down the stream as long as there was a chance of its becoming more considerable, and until our provisions should be so far expended as barely to enable us to return to Bathurst.

It is a singular phenomenon in the history of this river, that, in a course of upwards of two hundred and fifty miles, in a direct line from where Mr. Evans first discovered it, not the smallest rivulet, or, in fact, water of any description, falls into it from either the north or south; with the exception of the two small occasional streams near the depot, which flow from the north.

The country to the southward, in its soil and productions, explains pretty satisfactorily why no constant running streams can have sources in that direction; and it may be esteemed, as to useful purposes, a desert, uninhabitable country.  A small strip along the sea-coast may possibly be better, and derive water from the low hills which are known to border on it:  south of the parallel of 34.  S. may therefore be considered as falling under the above designation and description of country.

The plains south of the river, and lying from Goulburn’s to Macquarie’s Range, were named Strangford Plains; and a remarkable peak south of Barrow’s Hill, Dryander’s Head.

We resolved to try if our old friends, the fish, still continued in the streams; in the course of a short time five fine ones were caught:  this most seasonable refreshment had an excellent effect in raising our hitherto depressed spirits; and eternal Hope again visited us in the form of extensive lakes and a better country; and even when her companion Fear obtruded herself on our minds, the certainty of plenty of water, and the chance of a fresh meal, dispelled every remaining anxiety.