BLESSING OF WATER. 21 



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 im- 

 pression, not easily forgotten, clings to us even 

 when far away. When gazing on the superabun- 

 dant water that flows in almost every corner of the 

 earth, we cannot hut reflect on the scantily supplied 

 Australian, nor fail to wish him a more plentiful 

 supply. 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 matters scarcely worthy of thought ; but 

 it is the traveller who learns to appreciate how great 

 blessings they are in reality. 



An influenza appeared to be raging among the 

 natives, all having the remnants of colds, coughing 

 severely when we met them. Several attempts 

 were made to induce them to come on board, 

 but they proved vain. Sometimes, just as the 

 boat was leaving the shore, they would enter 

 the bow of it, as if about to accompany us ; no 

 sooner, however, was the boat in motion, than out 

 they jumped, laughing and apparently delighted to 

 deceive us, acting, in fact, exactly the part of noisy 

 children. 



Our friendly intercourse with these natives sus- 



