He had been much surprised when the order had been given for the boat to row down the river, and it was therefore evident that it was not the intention of the first officer to again explore the creek.
Several fish were caught, but as soon as it became dark the lieutenant said, "You can throw them overboard again, Mr.Balderson; we don't want any extra weight in the boat, and these fish must weigh thirty pounds at least.

Now what do you suppose we are going to do ?" "I have no idea, sir.

I thought that we might be going up the creek that Lieutenant Hopkins explored the other day, to have another look at the prahus; but as we came down the river instead of going up, of course it is not that." "No; we are going to explore the creek, but from the other end." "That will be first rate, sir, but I am afraid that we shan't find water enough for the Serpent." "No, I fear that there is little chance of that; still we may obtain information that will be valuable." The night was a dark one, and an hour after sunset the grapnel was got up, and the boat continued its way down the river, the oars being now muffled, and the strictest silence ordered.
"Keep your eyes open, Mr.Balderson," the lieutenant said.

"I think that it must be another three miles to the point where the river forks.

The other branch comes in on the right, so we will keep on the left bank.
I don't think there is much fear of our missing the junction of the stream, but if we do, we will row on to a mile below the point where we think it is, then cross and keep up on the other side.