Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 2.djvu/68

 OA9T9 o Aug'rRALIA. 4 the rapid, pulled up the river against the. fide for a mile farther, where it was suddenly ter- m/hated by a beautiful fresh. water rivulet, whose clear, transparent stream was so great a con- mint to the thick, muddied water we had so 1oog been pulling through, that it was a most grati- fying sight, and amply repaid us for all our fatigue and exertions. The fresh water was pamted from the salt tide by a gentle fall over rounded.stones; but as the boat was unable to pass over them, we had only time to fill our water- vessels, in order to be certain of returning over he first rapid, before the strength of the stream rendered it dangerous to pass. The bed of the river, at thi second fall, appeared to be about two hundred and fifty yards in breadth: its far- ther course was lost sight of by a sharp turn, first to the N.E.; and then to the S.E., between high and rocky hills. Large groves of pandanus and h//,/scus, ahd a variety of other plants, were growing in great luxuriance upon the banks, but unhappfiy the sterile and rocky appearance of the country was some alloy to the stisfaction we felt at the first sight of the fresh water; as we did not, however, expect to find a good country, the plea- sure was not much diminished, and we set off on �0% II. E '

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