172 AUSTRALIA AND THE AUSTRALIANS. 



having been, like myself, hunted up the tree by the 

 water. I realized a kind of " fellow feeling " for them ; 

 however, I shook them out, and falling into the water 

 they went down with the current. Having fixed my 

 watch in their place I began to slip down the tree. 



I did not feel in very good spirits, being cold and 

 hungry and alone, and slipping down a tree with 

 rough bark, without nether garments on, isn't nice ; 

 besides I was afraid the water might be cold and give 

 me the cramp. I had to go, however, and what was 

 my joy when I found the river literally a warm bath 

 and was so comforting and exhilarating that I never 

 felt more able to swim than at that time. 



My clothes had been rolled into a small bundle, with 

 a string attached, which I took in my teeth. It was 

 about waist deep at the foot of the tree, so having got a 

 good start, T made for the shore. After going a good 

 long way a log came past, which I thought a good 

 opportunity of resting on, but it would bear no 

 weight, and in getting over it my bundle got entangled, 

 and I had to swim and get it free, but at last had the 

 satisfaction of gaining the bank safely, and walking 

 up on to dry land. Having wrung out my clothes 

 and dressed, I began to wonder what I would do 

 next. 



Having heard that there was a bridle track near 



