t, where there was a splendid
sheet of water, in the centre of which the branches of a huge tree
appeared reflected, the trunk being completely hid. About a quarter of a
mile above us a tributary joins the main branch from the eastward, that
when flooded must have a fall of three or four feet, and something of the
character of a Canadian rapid.

When I sat down beside the waters of the beautiful channel to which
Providence in its goodness had been pleased to direct my steps, I felt
more than I had ever done in my life, the responsibility of the task I
had undertaken. When I left the Depot I had determined on keeping a
northerly course into the interior, for the reasons I have already
assigned; but knowing the state of the country as I did, and the little
chance there was of finding water on its parched and yawning surface, I
now hesitated whether I should persevere in my first determination, or
proceed in the examination of this new feature, and of the mountain
ranges to the N.E. both of which I had every reason to hope would lead me
out of the present fearful desert into a better country. Any one perhaps
less experienced than myself in the treacherous character of the most
promising river of the Australian Continent, would have acted
differently. It would in all probability have occurred to them to trace
the creek, either upwards or downwards, in the hope of its leading to
something better. It was clear, however, that the first channel I had
crossed, was a branch only of that upon which I was resting, and by which
the plains I had traversed on approaching it were laid under water, and I
felt assured that if my conclusion as to the Stony Desert was correct, I
should derive no advantage in tracing the creek downwards, since I knew
it would either terminate in extensive grassy plains as I had found other
creeks to do, or be lost on the broad surface of the Stony Desert. Taking
every thing into consideration, I had resolved on turning to the
eastward, to examine the upward course of the creek, believing it more
than probable that it would lead me into the hills, but, as I was
weighing these things in my mind, the sky became suddenly overcast and a
thunder-storm passed over us, which for the short half hour it continued
was of unusual violence, filling all the little hollows on the plains,
and chequering them over with sheets of water. The road northwards being
thus thrown open to me, I returned to my original purpose, and d