40 Voyage of the Notmra. 



collecting as we proceeded, and admiring the beauty of the 

 landscape around. The coach had stuck fast half-way up 

 a steep ridge, while the horses took no heed of the servants' 

 flagellation. The coarse language in which Mr. Croker, the 

 very type in this respect of an English driver, exhorted Billy 

 and Sam (so were our two steeds named), and the frequent song 

 of the whip, availed nothing ; the animals would not budge 

 a step ; so we had to lend our assistance in person, and move 

 the vehicle a few paces further to a less dangerous position. 



Further progress, under the circumstances, was out of the 

 question. It was resolved to send man and horse back to 

 Wulongong to engage additional horses, and continue our 

 walk as far as the huts at Bargo, the next station, 18 miles 

 distant. En route , or at Bargo, it was supposed our coach- 

 man would overtake us with fresh horses. As we were by no 

 means sure of our road, we took the precaution of carrying 

 our most necessary effects, in the event of our having to pass 

 the night in the bush. 



It was 6.30 p. M., and the sun was going down, only the 

 extreme summits of the trees catching and reflecting his 

 golden beams. On we went, our excitement stimulated by 

 the prospect of an adventure. Gradually the darkness of 

 night enveloped the wood. Our path became uncertain. 

 Even the full splendour of the moon, as she rose in the east, 

 and darted her silver rays through the gloom of the 

 Eiicalijptiy casting gigantic shadows on the sandy soil, rather 



