Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/68

 narrow part of the river when the water became fresh. After disembarking for the night, we traced the river first N.E. about three hundred yards, then forming a sudden turning to the W.S.W., S., S.E. by S. and E., which it continued about three-eighths of a mile, two creeks leading to swamps are formed by it in the last mile. Its banks, although high, are sandy, often void of wood, nor covered with rich verdure;—some lower levels looked well; and a considerable fertile plain lay beyond our stopping place. The wind blew fresh and squally from the S.W.; we filled our water casks, and on the 19th, at five minutes past 7, commenced descending the river; we passed the upper and lower flats better than yesterday, and had a long and amicable interview with several natives, who waded out on the flats to admire us, the novelty of the boats, and every thing we had. We spent a good part of the day in ineffectually attempting to approach the south side of this large sheet of water; and as the weather appeared to be settling, we bivouaced at the entrance, to be ready to proceed along the coast next morning. Several of the men were affected with pain of the eyes from the reflection along the shallows, and one suffered from diarrhoea. At five minutes past 7, a.m. of the 20th we passed the bar without seeing breakers, where the deepest water was about three feet; the wind was E.S.E. and moderate. After rounding the reef off Two-bare Patches Head, we stood along a sandy and nearly straight coast, S. W, for four miles and a half, and then, still keeping the direction of the beach S.W. by S.½ S., for two miles farther, having seven fathoms water, one-third of a mile from the shore. There was little surf on the beach with the land, but more with the sea breese, that came in at 10,