ed upwards was very picturesque and full of variety.
At sunset we encamped about a mile and a half short of our camp of the
18th and just as the trees were groaning under a heavy squall which
obliged us to land on the first spot where sufficient room was left in
the thick woods for our tents. This spot happened to be on a steep bit of
bank; and in the evening I was called in haste to a new danger. The wind
had suddenly changed and blew with great fury filling my tent with sparks
from a large fire which burnt before it. I had placed in it according to
usual custom our stock of ammunition in a keg; and notwithstanding these
precautions its preservation now between the two elements of fire and
water was rather doubtful. We contrived however to avert the danger and
were no more disturbed during the night except by the storm.

RETURN TO THE DEPOT.

August 22.

The squally weather continued until noon when sunbeams again adorned the
river-scenery. We met with no impediment in the current until within
about six miles of the depot camp when dead trees in the channel began
again to appear; but we passed them all without hindrance and reached
Fort O'Hare at two o'clock where we found all well. Mr. Stapylton had set
Vulcan to repair the broken chains etc., a ford had been cleared across
the stream from the north-east which I named the Crawford; and the cattle
being refreshed we were once more in trim to continue the land journey.
The height of the water in the river had undergone no change during our
absence and was probably about its usual level there although I observed
abundant marks of flood in the branches of trees where dry floated matter
remained at the height of fifteen feet above the water as it stood then.
The rock about this position consisted of limestone apparently similar to
that seen on its banks higher up. (See August 15.) It possessed a
stalactitic aspect by the infiltration of calcareous matter and in
crevices below I found a reddish stalagmite containing grains of sand.
Large petrified oyster shells lay loosely about the bank above these
cliffs. No natives had approached the depot during our absence and we had
indeed reason to believe that the adjacent country contained but few
inhabitants.

DIFFERENCE IN LONGITUDE.

During the afternoon I laid down my survey of the estuary of the Glenelg
and completed by 10 P.M., not only my plan of it but that of the river
also. I found a considerable difference between t