90 A HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



harbinger of mighty changes there; for our steps would soon be 

 followed by the men and the animals for which it seemed to have 

 been prepared." 



Starting from Pyramid Hill in a south-west direction he recrossed 

 the Loddon, which was in high flood at the time, and so continued 

 on for several days, crossing in turn the Avoca and the Avon 

 Eivers, and passing through a country every acre of which to-day is 

 in profitable occupancy by a well-to-do class of selectors, who are 

 liberally fulfilling Mitchell's prediction that " these fine lands are 

 certain to become at no distant date of vast importance to a new 

 people ". 



On the 13th of July, the grand rugged mass of the Grampians 

 being in full view, the Major resolved to make an ascent of one of 

 the highest peaks, with a view of testing his surveying instruments, 

 and obtaining data for the construction of his map. He left the 

 party encamped in a grassy meadow near the Eichardson Eiver, 

 which he named after the botanist, and taking six men on horseback 

 with him, started for the peak, which he named Mount William, in 

 honour of the King. Then their course took them right across the 

 site of the rich goldfields of which the town of Stawell is the 

 centre, and necessitated their crossing the upper reaches of the 

 Wimmera and its numerous tributary creeks from the west. On 

 the afternoon of the second day they reached the foot of the 

 mountain, and having secured a camp for their horses, started the 

 arduous climb. As they neared the summit, high perpendicular 

 cliffs and huge precipices of sandstone tried their strength and 

 courage, and to add to their difficulties a drizzling sleet made the 

 foothold slippery, and covered the rocks and shrubs with icicles. 

 When at length they gained the summit they found it a huge block 

 of naked sandstone rock, encrusted with icicles and hoary under 

 the beating of innumerable storms. It was within half an hour of 

 sunset, and the view was entirely obscured by driving mists. With 

 scarcely any food, no wraps, and no possibility of shelter, it seemed 

 like madness to think of passing a severe midwinter night on this 

 bleak spot, but the toilsome ascent had been waste of time and 

 energy if they returned, and Mitchell resolved at any cost to await 

 the chance of a morning survey from such a vantage-ground. The 



