CHAPTER VI.

Improvement in the aspect of the country--Increase of the river--Strong westerly gales--Chronometer broken--A healthier tribe of natives--Termination of the Murray in a large lake--Its extent and environs--Passage across it--Hostile appearance of the natives--Beautiful scenery--Channel from the lake to the sea at Encounter Bay--Reach the beach--Large flocks of water fowl--Curious refraction--State of provisions--Embarrassing situation--Inspection of the channel to the ocean--Weak condition of the men--Difficulties of the return.