It was on the 12th of May that they received this check to their as yet uninterrupted progress.
"Observing an eminence about half-a-mile from the south side, we crossed over the horses and baggage at a place where the water was level with the banks, and which, when within its usual channel, did not exceed thirty or forty feet in width.
"We ascended the hill, and had the mortification to perceive that the termination of our research was reached, at least down this branch of the river.

The whole country from the west, north-west, round to the north, was either a complete marsh or lay under water." The country to the south and south-west appearing more elevated.

Oxley determined to return to the place where the branches separated, and to try his fortune on the other one.

This, after a while, proved as unsatisfactory as the one they had abandoned.

Bitterly disappointed, Oxley altered his plans entirely.