he left, showed that we were not
so very near the river, on the right, which I was endeavouring to follow.
We were delayed in several of these hollows by the sinking of the carts
and boat-carriage.

RIFLE RANGE.

We next traversed an extensive moor or heath on which the rising ground
was firm, and a little way beyond it some rising ground bounded our view.
On ascending this highest feature which I named the Rifle range I found
it commanded an extensive view over a low and woody country.

MOUNT GAMBIER FIRST SEEN FROM IT.

One peaked hill alone appeared on the otherwise level horizon and this
bore 68 degrees West of South. I supposed this to be Mount Gambier near
Cape Northumberland which, according to my survey, ought to have appeared
in that direction at a distance of forty-five miles.

STERILE MOORS CROSSED BY THE PARTY.

I expected to find the river on reaching the lower country beyond this
range; but instead of the Glenelg and the rich country on its banks we
entered on extensive moors of the most sterile description. They were
however firm enough for travelling upon, the surface being very level and
the soil a whitish sand. These open wastes were interrupted in some parts
by clumps of stringybark forest which entirely concealed from view the
extent of this kind of country. Swamps full of water and containing reeds
of a dark yellow colour at length became numerous; and although I
succeeded in pursuing a course clear of these obstacles, we were obliged
to encamp at twilight without having any immediate prospect of a better
country before us. There was however abundance of grass in these wet
swamps and our carts passed over one quite covered with water without
sinking. Our camp was marked out on a low hill of white sand on which
grew mahogany and stringybark trees of large dimensions. The ridge from
which we had descended now appeared continuous as far as we could see
eastward.

NATIVES NUMEROUS BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE.

Much smoke arose from this lower country when we entered upon it and
after sunset the incessant calls of a native were heard near our camp as
if he had lost some comrade. I sent up a rocket that he might be
convinced we had not arrived by stealth as the tribes do when they
insidiously make war on each other, but he only reiterated his calls the
more.

August 13.

At daybreak the cries of the native were renewed. I then made Piper cooey
to him whereupon he became silent and I heard him no more,