rnoon, we again turned towards the
river, and found it unaltered. Its water was still salt, and from the
increased number of wild fowl and pelicans upon it, as well as from the
general flatness of the country, I certainly thought we were rapidly
approaching some inland sea. It was, however, uncertain how long we
should be enabled to continue on the river. The animals were all of
them extremely weak, and every day increased the probable difficulty of
our return. There was not the least appearance of a break-up of the
drought, the heavens were without a cloud, and the atmosphere was so
clear that the outline of the moon could be distinctly seen, although
she was far in her wane.

BRINE SPRINGS IN THE RIVER.

On the 6th, we journeyed again through a barren scrub, although on
firmer ground, and passed numerous groups of huts. At about eight miles
from our last encampment, we came upon the river, where its banks were
of considerable height. In riding along them, Mr. Hume thought he
observed a current running, and he called to inform me of the
circumstance. On a closer examination, we discovered some springs in
the very bed of the river, from which a considerable stream was
gushing, and from the incrustation around them, we had no difficulty in
guessing at their nature: in fact, they were brine springs, and I
collected a quantity of salt from the brink of them.

DISTRESS FOR WANT OF FRESH WATER.

After such a discovery, we could not hope to keep our position. No
doubt the current we had observed on first reaching the river, was
caused by springs that had either escaped our notice or were under
water. Here was at length a local cause for its saltness that destroyed
at once the anticipation and hope of our being near its termination,
and, consequently, the ardour with which we should have pressed on to
decide so interesting a point.

Our retreat would have been a measure of absolute necessity ere this,
had we not found occasional supplies of fresh water, the last pond of
which was now about eighteen miles behind us.

OUR COURSE ARRESTED.

Whether we should again find any, was a doubtful question, and I
hesitated to run the risk. The animals were already, from bad food, and
from the effects of the river water, so weak, that they could scarcely
carry their loads, and I was aware, if any of the bullocks once fell,
he would never rise again. Under such circumstances, I thought it
better to halt the party at the edge of the