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. Environs of the lake Alexandrina--Appointment of Capt. Barker to make a further survey of the coast near Encounter Bay--Narrative of his proceedings--Mount Lofty, Mount Barker, and beautiful country adjacent--Australian salmon--Survey of the coast--Outlet of lake to the sea--Circumstances that led to the slaughter of Capt. Barker by the natives--His character--Features of this part of the country and capabilities of its coasts--Its adaptation for colonization--Suggestions for the furtherance of future Expeditions. APPENDIX. No. I. Geological Specimens found to the south-west of Port Jackson No. II. Official Report to the Colonial Government ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE SECOND VOLUME (Not included in this etext)