I was the more disposed to believe, perhaps, because I hoped such would be the case, that it was caused by heavy rains in the hills to the north-west of Laidley's Ponds, and that it was pouring into the river through that rivulet.
The natives who had accompanied us from the last tribe left at sunset, as is their custom, after having received two blankets and some knives.
Being anxious to get to Laidley's Ponds, I started early, with the intention of making a long journey, but circumstances obliged me to halt at six miles.

We crossed extensive and rich flats the whole of the way, and found as usual an abundance of feed for our cattle.

It would perhaps be hazardous to give an opinion as to the probable availability of the flats of the Darling: those next the stream had numerous herbs, as spinach, indigoferae, clover, etc., all indicative of a better soil; but the out flats were bare of vegetation, although there was no apparent difference in their soil.

One peculiarity is observable in the Darling, that neither are there any reeds growing in its channel or on the flats.
Our journey on the last day of September terminated at noon, as we arrived at a point from which it was evident the river takes a great sweep to the eastward; and Nadbuck informed me that by going direct to the opposite point, where, after coming up again, it turned to the north, we should cut off many miles, but that it would take a whole day to perform the journey.

I determined therefore to follow his advice, and to commence our journey across the bight at an early hour the following morning, the 1st of October.