l through which it
passed; and had an appearance of depth, not at all inviting to drivers
of heavily-laden drays.

However, cross it they were compelled to; for there was no other place
where the river could be passed with any degree of safety, without going
considerably farther; so, after directing John to go over with his
horse, that he might see what he had to encounter, the first
bullock-driver urged his team down the slope and into the water, where
it splashed and floundered on until it succeeded in bringing the dray
about half way across. There the bottom was so soft, and the dray wheels
had become so embedded in the mud, that only with the assistance of the
second team could the passage be effected. The second dray was not even
so fortunate as the first; for all efforts of the double team were
unavailing to pass the rubicon; and it settled in the mud mid-way
between the banks. Adding to this, the fact that the water was already
above the axle, and consequently damaging the loading; and that in all
probability, if not speedily extricated, the dray would become even more
immovable; it was evident, to the men, some strenuous efforts were
required to overcome the difficulty.

The Australian bullock dray with its bovine traction, we may remark, is
without exception the most primitive means of conveyance that can either
be devised or imagined. The ponderous vehicle, in perfect keeping with
the heavy and drowsy quadrupeds who draw it at a snail-like pace, stands
prominently forth as a reproach to the inventive genius of man; and,
excepting perhaps the substitute of iron in coupling and linking the
animals, and in some parts of the vehicular construction, the whole
equipage possesses not the shadow of an improvement on the popular
conveyances of the age of Sesostris. But in this sunny land, settlers
are content with the questionable facilities of transit offered by these
primeval means; while they console themselves with the belief that no
other style of vehicle would stand the wear and tear of being drawn over
logs and stumps of trees, rocks and precipices, and through rivers and
swamps; and that no other animal but the patient bullock, could endure
the fatigue and privation of alternate heat, wet, hunger and thirst, and
a constant taxation of strength and resignation. 'Tis true, at times,
the obstacles to travelling are almost insuperable, and that the roads
have no title to the dignity of such a name; being, in most