did not disappoint me:  it was evidently much higher than usual, running a strong stream; the banks very steep, but not so as to render the water inaccessible:  the land on each side quite flat, and thinly clothed with small trees; the soil a rich light loam:  higher points occasionally projected on the river, and on those the soil was by no means so good.  The largest trees were growing immediately at the water’s edge on both sides, and from their position formed an arch over the river, obscuring it from observation, although it was from thirty to forty yards across.  At four o’clock we arrived at the depot.

We had scarcely alighted from our horses, when natives were seen in considerable numbers on the other side of the river.  I went down opposite to them, and after some little persuasion about twenty of them swam across, having their galengar or stone hatchet in one hand, which on their landing they threw at our feet, to show us that they were as much divested of arms as ourselves.  After staying a short time they were presented with some kangaroo flesh, with which they re-crossed the river, and kindled their fires.  They were very stout and manly, well featured, with long beards:  there were a few cloaks among them made of the opossum skin, and it was evident that some of the party had been at Bathurst, from their making use of several English words, and from their readily comprehending many of our questions.

April 26.—­Fine clear warm weather.  The natives were still on the opposite bank, and five of them came over to us in the course of the morning; but remained a very short time.  During the last night a few fine shrimps were caught; the soldiers stationed at the depot said they had frequently taken them in considerable numbers.  During the day arranged the loads for the boats and horses, that they might be enabled to set off early the next morning.

April 27.—­Loaded the boats with as much of the salt provisions as they could safely carry, and despatched them to wait at the first creek about seven or eight miles down the river until the loaded horses came, and then to assist in taking their loads over the creek; intending myself to follow with the remainder of the baggage early to-morrow morning.

The observations which were made here placed the depot in lat. 33. 40.  S., and in long. 148. 21.  E., the variation of the needle being 7. 47.  E. The barometrical observations, which had been regularly taken from Sydney to this place, did not give us an elevation of more than six hundred feet above the level of the sea; a circumstance which, considering our distance from the west coast, surprised me much.

The few words of which we were enabled to obtain the meaning from the natives who occasionally visited its, being different from those used by the natives on the east coast, it way perhaps be interesting to insert them.

Australian.  English.