n
carefully marking the way by barking the trees, or, where there were no
trees, by piling up fragments of rocks.

The eastern was fortunately the worst side of the range. The descent on
the west side down a moderate slope brought them into an undulating
park-like plain, covered with grass sprinkled over with the ever-present
blue and white gum-trees, while just before them appeared an open patch
of green plain, offering a tempting feed to cattle.

Smoke ascending from two or three shepherds' huts in the distance showed
that this part of the country was already occupied. They had,
therefore, to proceed until they could reach an unclaimed district. The
last night the party were together they camped in a wood on the borders
of a river in which, though its course was dry, there were several
water-holes within half a mile of each other.

As they had ridden on all day without water for the horses they halted
early. The captain, however, would not allow a fire to be lighted until
nightfall, lest its smoke might attract the attention of the blacks,
who, although they might not venture to attack them, would watch their
future movements, and perhaps, if unfriendly, cause them some annoyance.

At night there would be less risk of a fire being seen, unless by any
one coming close up to the camp, providing the flames were not allowed
to ascend to any great height. The horses, as usual, were hobbled near,
and they were sure not to stray away from the good grass and water.

As usual, the captain and Paul, who were the best shots of the party,
took their guns to provide supper and breakfast, no difficult task, as
parrots, pigeons, and other birds abounded. They brought back an ample
supply, with the addition of a wallaby and a bandicoot. The larger
portion of the latter animals would serve as a supper for the dogs. The
boys had taken off the edge of their appetites with some cold damper,
which they had brought in their pouches, and some wild fruit they had
met with, but were very glad when the captain allowed them at last to
light the pile of sticks they had collected, to put on the kettle, and
to begin roasting the game. Harry and Reggy undertook to make some
fresh dampers, Paul to attend to the camp oven, while Hector was set to
turn the spits. The rest of the party were clearing the ground round
the fire, bringing water, looking after the horses, and putting up some
slabs of bark to serve as a shelter for the night.