We left our position, intending to travel slowly, and to halt early.
The first part of our journey was over rich flats, timbered sufficiently to afford a shade, on which the grass was luxuriant; but we were obliged to seek more open ground, in consequence of the frequent stumbling of the cattle.
We issued, at length, upon a plain, the view across which was as dreary as can be imagined; in many places without a tree, save a few old stumps left by the natives when they fired the timber, some of which were still smoking in different parts of it.

Observing some lofty trees at the extremity of the plain, we moved towards them, under an impression that they indicated the river line.

But on this exposed spot the sun's rays fell with intense power upon us, and the dust was so minute and penetrating, that I soon regretted having left the shady banks of the river.
About 2.p.m.we neared the trees for which we had been making, over ground evidently formed by alluvial deposition, and were astonished to find that reeds alone were growing under the trees as far as the eye could penetrate.

It appeared that we were still some distance from the river, and it was very doubtful how far we might be from water, for which the men were anxiously calling.

I therefore halted, and sent Fraser into the reeds towards some dead trees, on which a number of spoonbills were sitting.