els sunk to
the axles and, although in such cases it was usual to apply the combined
force of several teams to draw each vehicle through in turn, we found
that the rising ground opposite was equally soft and yielding, so that
the cattle could have no firm footing to enable them to pull. It was
night before we could, with the strength of all the teams united by long
chains and yoked to each vehicle successively, bring the whole through,
the broad wheels of each cart actually ploughing to the depth of the axle
in soft earth; the labour of the cattle may therefore be imagined. We
encamped on a small barren plain much resembling a heath and just beyond
the swamp which had proved so formidable an impediment.

August 7.

Our progress this day was still less than that made during the preceding
one for it did not much exceed a mile. To that distance we had proceeded
tolerably well, having crossed two small running brooks, and all appeared
favourable before us. But a broad piece of rising ground which, being
sandy with banksia and casuarinae trees on it, I had considered firm
proved so very soft that even my own horse went down with me and wallowed
in the mud.

EXCURSION INTO THE COUNTRY BEFORE US.

There was no way of avoiding this spot, at least without delay, and I
ordered the men immediately to encamp, being determined to go forward
with a party on horseback and ascertain the position of some point where
the ground was more favourable, and then to adopt such a mode of
extricating the carts and proceeding thither as circumstances permitted.
I took with me provisions for three days that I might explore the
country, if necessary, to the coast.

BEAUTIFUL REGION DISCOVERED.

I had not proceeded above five miles southward when I perceived before me
a ridge in bluey distance, rather an unusual object in that close
country. We soon after emerged from the wood and found that we were on a
kind of tableland and, approaching a deep ravine coming from our right
and terminating on a very fine-looking open country below, watered by a
winding river. We descended by a bold feature to the bottom of the ravine
and found there a foaming little river hurrying downwards over rocks.
After fording this stream with ascended a very steep but grassy
mountain-side, and on reaching a brow of high land, what a noble prospect
appeared! a river winding amongst meadows that were fully a mile broad
and green as an emerald. Above them rose swelling hi