The Only One Which I Contemplated In A Serious
Point Of View, Was The Probable Want Of Water Until We Came In Contact
With High Land, And I Hoped This Might Be Partially Provided Against By
Mr. Evans's Expedition.
The horses were all in good condition, and, from
the length of time I expected to be absent, the
Baggage would be reduced
to the smallest possible compass, and the cooper would have time to
diminish the pork casks, which were far too heavy for the horses, being
intended for boats only; for it had not been contemplated that the
nature of the country would so soon deprive us of water carriage.
July 2. - I proceeded down the river, during one of the wettest and most
stormy days we had yet experienced. About twenty miles from where I set
out, there was, properly speaking, no country; the river overflowing its
banks, and dividing into streams which I found had no permanent
separation from the main branch, but united themselves to it on a
multitude of points. We went seven or eight miles farther, when we
stopped for the night upon a space of ground scarcely large enough to
enable us to kindle a fire. The principal stream ran with great
rapidity, and its banks and neighbourhood, as far as we could see, were
covered with wood, encreasing us within a margin or bank. Vast spaces of
country clear of timber were under water, and covered with the common
reed [Note: Arundo phragmites.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 200 of 354
Words from 53697 to 53947
of 95539
