Our proceeding farther was therefore useless, especially as an exploring expedition must pass up the river; and retracing our steps we reached the ship near midnight on the 20th.

The intelligence of the success of our cruise was received on board with an enthusiasm which explorers only can appreciate.
Mr.Fitzmaurice had not returned, which favoured my surmises that he would find a river.
October 21.
Mr.Forsyth having collected all the necessary material for the survey near the ship, we shifted our berth this afternoon into deeper water, between the south end of Quoin Island and another small islet to the south-west, which from our operations on its south-eastern corner we called Observation Island.

The weather was very remarkable in the evening--dark patches of clouds appearing in the western horizon, from which vivid lightnings flashed, and loud peals of thunder roared.

The frightened stream of the sea-birds evinced how seldom nature puts on such an aspect in this place.
CAPTAIN WICKHAM ASCENDS THE VICTORIA.
Before proceeding further with the ship, it was necessary to feel our way with the boats.

Whilst this was going on, Captain Wickham determined on pushing up the river in the gig to ascertain if it was fresh sufficiently near to water the ship from, when she had been taken as far up the Victoria as it was possible.