What is "down the country"

Down \Down\, prep. [From Down, adv.]

1. In a descending direction along; from a higher to a lower place upon or within; at a lower place in or on; as, down a hill; down a well.

2. Hence: Towards the mouth of a river; towards the sea; as, to sail or swim down a stream; to sail down the sound.

   Down the country, toward the sea, or toward the part where rivers discharge their waters into the ocean.

   Down the sound, in the direction of the ebbing tide; toward the sea.