ered for a distant
smoke to the south-east by east, and had travelled fully seventeen miles
on, or along extensive plains, when we perceived seven natives returning
on a beaten foot-path, from the salt water to the forest. We cooeed--they
ran! But when we had passed, and Charley stopped behind alone, they came
up to him, and, having received some presents, they showed us some
miserable wells between two tea-tree groves; after which they hastened
home. Our cattle were tired and thirsty, but we could give them nothing
to drink, except about six quarts of brackish water; which fell to the
share of our bullock. The feed, however, was rich and young, and during
the night a heavy dew was deposited, Many flocks of geese came flying low
over the plains, which made us hope that water was not very distant.
Whilst we were passing the head of a small Mangrove creek, four native
dogs, started out of a shady hole; but we looked in vain for fresh water.
The plains, which were very level, with a few melon-holes, were scattered
all over with dead Limnaeas, which showed evidently, that fresh, or
slightly brackish water, covered them occasionally, and for some length
of time. Since we first entered upon the large plains of the Alligator
Rivers, we had seen myriads of the small cockatoo (Cocatua sanguinea,
GOULD), which retired towards night, in long flights from the plains, to
the shade of the drooping tea-trees near the shallow pools of water on
which we encamped. We had also observed several retreats of flying-foxes
in the most shady parts of the Pandanus groves, receiving frequently the
first indication of them by the peculiar odour of the animal.

Cumuli formed very early in the morning, and increased during the day,
sending down showers of rain all round the horizon. The sea breeze set in
at 3 o'clock; and the weather cleared up at sunset, and during the first
part of the night; but after 1 o'clock A. M. became cloudy again, with
inclination to rain; heavy dew fell during the clear part of the night.

Dec. 4.--The natives returned very early to our camp. I went up to them
and made them some presents; in return for which they offered me bunches
of goose feathers, and the roasted leg of a goose, which they were
pleased to see me eat with a voracious appetite. I asked for Allamurr,
and they expressed themselves sorry in not having any left, and gave us
to understand that they would supply us, if we would stay a day. Neither
these native