irm ground opposite by means of blocks and tackle attached
to trees and drawn by five bullocks. On going forward with the carts I
was guided altogether by the course of the ravine or gully, keeping along
the fall of the ground and so avoiding the softer soil above. Thus we
proceeded successfully for, although another ravine came in our way, I
managed to travel round its head near which I found a place where we
crossed the small watercourse it contained by filling up the chasm with
logs. On passing this we entered the stringybark forest which I had
traversed on the day previous; and I at length recognised through the
trees the hill from which I had seen the junction of the streams. A
tremendous hailstorm met us in the face just as we descended to encamp in
the valley near the bank of the river, but this troubled us but little
while we were up to the waist in the thickest crop of grass growing on
the richest black soil I had ever seen. Mr. Stapylton and Burnett came up
in the evening with the intelligence that the whole party had effected a
safe passage across the swampy ground; but that the wheels of the
boat-carriage and some of the carts had sunk deep in the earth where I
had previously crossed on horseback followed by the light carts without
leaving any impression, and that consequently they had made but little
progress beyond the camp.

August 17.

I sent Burnett back with some spare bullocks to assist the people in
bringing on the carts and the boat-carriage, a man having been despatched
from them early to inform me that the carriage had again stuck fast.
Piper drew my attention to the sound of a distant waterfall which he said
he had heard all night and wished now to go down the river to look at. I
directed him to do so and to examine the river also still further if he
could, that he might bring back information as to how the boats might get
down the stream. On his return in the afternoon he stated that the river
was joined just below by several large streams from the left, and by one
still larger from the right which, falling on rocks, made the noise he
had heard during the night; also that on climbing a high tree he had seen
the river very large "like the Murray," adding that it was excellent for
boats. All this news only made me the more impatient to embark in them
while they were still afar on the muddy hills.

THE WHOLE EQUIPMENT REACHES THE RIVER.

The whole day passed without any tidings of their approach