t hand. They even trail them sometimes between their toes, a
fact which travellers should ever bear in mind.)

It is very singular, and not very susceptible of explanation, that
although they climb tall trees by merely resting their toes in a slight
notch cut as they ascend, the natives will hesitate in alarm before
looking over the edge of a precipice or height; it was, therefore, some
time before this party could be induced to look down the well. At length
by stretching their spare bodies and necks to the utmost, they caught
sight of the water in the bottom.

SURPRISE OF NATIVES AT THE WELL.

The effect upon them was magical, and they stood at first as if
electrified. At length their feelings gained vent, and from their lips
proceeded an almost mad shout of delight. Nothing perhaps could have more
decisively shown the superiority of the white men to these savages, than
our being thus able to procure this necessary of life from so great a
depth, there being moreover no outward appearance of any. Perhaps their
delight may be considered a sign how scarce is water in this part of the
country. I should certainly say from the immense quantity each man drank,
which was two quarts, that this was the case. A further corroboration of
the extreme importance of this element to the Western Australian is, that
a native, in describing a fine country, always opens his narrative by
stating the important fact--plenty water.

The deep interest which in the natives always succeeds to the discovery
of this necessary article, must strongly impress the explorer, who will
ever afterwards look upon streams, even in other countries, with far
different feelings from any before experienced. In no land does the
presence of water more rapidly enrich the landscape, changing it from a
thirsty-looking plain to a rich green spot, than in Australia, and it is
in journeying through such a country, when one suddenly meets with a
luxuriant valley, that the eye naturally dwells with delight on the
changing scene, and the impression, not easily forgotten, clings to us
even when far away. When gazing on the superabundant water that flows in
almost every corner of the earth, we cannot but reflect on the scantily
supplied Australian, nor fail to wish him a more plentiful supply.

BLESSING OF WATER.

Naturally we are disposed to reflect but little on the great blessings of
the most ordinary things. In the eyes of the civilized man, fire and
water are matt