The bed of the creek was grassy, but broad, level, and gravelly. At
almost every turn to which we came Mr. Poole assured me there had been,
when he passed, a large sheet of water; but not a drop now remained, nor
could we by scratching find the least appearance of moisture. Yet it was
evident that this creek was at times highly flooded, there being a great
accumulation of rubbish at the butts of the trees on the flats over which
its waters must sweep, and the trunks of trees were lodged at a
considerable height in the branches of those growing in its bed.
Following its general course for 14 miles, we were led somewhat to the
eastward of north, towards some hills in that direction, from which the
creek appeared to issue, and then halted for the night, after a vain
search for water. The Red Hill bore S. 47 degrees W., and some hills of
less elevation were seen more to the westward of it, but beyond the last
towards the north there were vast open and stony plains, destitute of
timber and with very little vegetation upon them. On the morning of the
15th, at 5 p.m., we traversed these plains on a north course, and at 11
miles struck the creek of which Mr. Poole had spoken as containing muddy
water, and found it precisely as he described. There were long
water-holes about twenty-five feet broad, and three or four deep; but the
water was exceedingly muddy.
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