Embarkation of the party in the boats, and voyage down the Morumbidgee-- The skiff swamped by striking on a sunken tree--Recovery of boat and its loading--Region of reeds--Dangers of the navigation--Contraction of the channel--Reach the junction of a large river--Intercourse with the natives on its banks--Character of the country below the junction of the rivers-- Descent of a dangerous rapid--Warlike demonstrations of a tribe of natives--Unexpected deliverance from a conflict with them--Junction of another river--Give the name of the "Murray" to the principal stream. CHAPTER V. Character of the country--Damage of provisions--Adroitness of the natives in catching fish--The skiff broken up--Stream from the North-East supposed to be the Darling--Change of country in descending the river--Intercourse with the natives--Prevalence of loathsome diseases among them--Apparent populousness of the country--Junction of several small streams--The Rufus, the Lindesay, &c.--Rainy and tempestuous weather--Curious appearance of the banks--Troublesomeness of the natives--Inhospitable and desolate aspect of the country--Condition of the men--Change in the geological character of the country--The river passes through a valley among hills. CHAPTER VI. Improvement in the aspect of the country--Increase of the river--Strong westerly gales--Chronometer broken--A healthier tribe of natives-- Termination of the Murray in a large lake--Its extent and environs-- Passage across it--Hostile appearance of the natives--Beautiful scenery --Channel from the lake to the sea at Encounter Bay--Reach the beach-- Large flocks of water fowl--Curious refraction--State of provisions-- Embarrassing situation--Inspection of the channel to the ocean--Weak condition of the men--Difficulties of the return. CHAPTER VII. Valley of the Murray--Its character and capabilities--Laborious progress up the river--Accident to the boat--Perilous collision with the natives --Turbid current of the Rufus--Passage of the Rapids--Assisted by the natives--Dangerous intercourse with them--Re-enter the Morumbidgee-- Verdant condition of its banks--Nocturnal encounter with the natives-- Interesting manifestation of feeling in one family--Reach the spot where the party had embarked on the river--Men begin to fail entirely-- Determine to send two men forward for relief--Their return--Excursion on horseback--Reach Pondebadgery Plain, and meet the supplies from the colony--Cannibalism of the natives--Return to Sydney--Concluding remarks. CHAPTER VIII.