ff, startled by our
approach. We pulled on till the shadows which spread over the stream
showed us that night was coming on, and that we must ere long look out
for a place to encamp. As, however, the sun's rays still tinged the
topmost boughs of the more lofty trees, we continued our course, anxious
to get as high as possible before bringing up.

"Avast pulling," cried Mudge; "I think I hear the sound of a waterfall."

We obeyed him. I could distinctly hear the rushing noise of a body of
water coming from the upper part of the river. We again gave way, and
saw before us a mass of foam produced by the water running over a ledge
of rocks some six or eight feet in height, stretching directly across
the river. This would effectually bar our further progress; and not to
lose more time, we pulled in to the right or southern bank, towards a
spot where the tall trees receding afforded an open space on which we
might encamp. In other parts along the bank the vegetation was of an
unusually dense character for Australia: numberless creepers hung from
the branches of the lofty trees, bearing star-like flowers, some white,
others of a yellow hue, shining like gold, contrasted with the dark
green foliage; while the ground below and more open spaces were carpeted
with a rich sward but seldom seen in that country, and produced,
probably, by the spray from the waterfall cast over it when the wind
blew down the river.

Pullingo, by his gestures, leading us to suppose that he considered it a
good place for encamping, we accordingly landed. We found the ground
harder than we had expected, as the soil, which was only a few inches
deep, rested on a bed of rock, which had prevented the trees from taking
root. We quickly set about forming our camp; some of the party
collecting sheets of bark, aided by Pullingo, while others picked up
broken branches for our fire.

While we were thus employed, a flight of the magnificent cockatoos I
have before described settled on some of the branches close to the
river. Pullingo, who had brought his boomerang, at once eyed them
eagerly. Paddy and I, who were near him, ran for our guns; but he made
a sign to us not to shoot, letting us understand that he had a far more
effectual way of procuring our supper. We followed him cautiously, so
as not to frighten the birds as he stole towards them. As they
clustered thickly on the boughs, it was evident they intended to rest
there for the night. They