The torrents of rain lasted two hours, and cooled the air so rapidly, as in that time to reduce the thermometer from 92 to 82 degrees.
This change was so sudden, that it made those who felt it shiver as if it were the depth of winter, and RUSH INTO THE RIVER WATER TO KEEP THEMSELVES WARM.
November 4.
Both boats proceeded up the river at daylight.

We started from the end of Short Reach, trending East-North-East, and about four miles within the range of hills, on the South-East side of the Plains.

The first reach led us a mile and a half in a South-East direction, and at the end of it a flat of large boulders extended; across this we dragged the boats easily.
The river now took a turn from East-North-East to North, and at the end of a mile we came to another extensive flat, quite dry.

There was a deep pool below it, with a precipitous hill, 350 feet high, on the eastern side.

This we called Steep Head, and its singular dark cliffy face, frowning over the placid waters, gave an air of grandeur to the scenery.
Stretched out on the face of these cliffs, we left the skin of our friend the alligator, to be taken to the ship by the watering boats when they returned.
SHOALS IN THE RIVER.
There was now heavy work before us, with the thermometer at 93 degrees in the shade: we had to drag the boats over the large flat that impeded our progress.