146 PHILLIP 1789 When they had reached the shores of Broken Bay, where June. they found the boats waiting for them, they proceeded to explore the various branches of it which had been partially examined on Phillip's previous visit. Two days were de- voted to this work, and on the third, while sailing up the north-west branch, they saw a point of high land which had the appearance of an island.* Being determined to satisfy themselves on that point, they proceeded to examine it, and while doing so they were led into a branch which had not before been discovered. Following that up, they Tiio river fouud a good depth of water and every other indication of the opening of an extensive river. The whole of the day was spent in rowing up the stream, and in the evening they landed on a low marshy point, where they pitched their tents for the night. Their progress next morning was delayed by fogs until ten o'clock, when the sun en- abled them to find their way up the windings of the river. Examining The day was passed in a careful examination of the tides and the country. tt i»i* the general character of the nver and surrounding country; but they could go no further then for want of provisions, and were compelled to return when evening came on. They had gone about twenty miles from the entrance of the south- west branch; but the banks of the river were so very steep where they were that there was not a spot on which we could erect a tent except where it was marshy ground/' The only landing-place they could find was a parcel of Return to rocks, and there they passed the night. The next day they had a fair wind, blowing fresh, and consequently were able to sail down to Pittwater, where they camped, and after- wards remained a few days in order to recruit. essential service in leading them to water. Captain Start came upon the Darling River while following a track made by the natives : — " As the path we had observed was leading northerly, we took up that course, and had not proceeded more than a mile upon it when we suddenly found ounelves on the banks of a noble river." — Two Expeditions, p. 85. Eyre was in- debted to these paths on several occasions for water while making his way amon^ the sand-drifts along the Great Australian Bight to King G«orge'a Sound. ♦ Hunter, p. 143. Digitized by Google
