PROSPECT FROM VIEW HILL. 65 



to keep the 0}3en ground as much as possible. We 

 travelled for a long- mile over a level flat of good 

 soil, though now quite destitute of vegetation, save 

 some beautiful specimens of the truly evergreen 

 gum-tree. At length we reached the summit of 

 View Hill, and no effervescing draught could have 

 proved more really refreshing than the south-east 

 breeze which greeted us there. It is separated from 

 the ranges to the southward by a deep narrow valley. 

 We noticed from it that the river evidently increased 

 in size, as traced upwards, and I was very glad to 

 find that the delight I experienced in making this 

 discovery, was shared by my companions. We 

 traced it east for two long miles — a deep broad and 

 picturesque stream : beyond that limit it took a 

 more southerly direction, apparently behind some 

 high table land (Table Hill) '^00 feet high. Be- 

 yond, and on the eastern side of the valley of the 

 river, rose a high peak, crowned by a remarkable 

 block of stone, to whicli we gave the name of The 

 Tower. I made a sketch of the scenery, and took 

 a round of angles, and then we returned to the boats. 

 On our arrival we found the thermometer had been 

 as high as 110° at one p.m. The afternoon was 

 occupied in selecting a party of five out of the boats* 

 crews, for a pedestrian excursion ; and at night, 

 jaded as we were, it was almost impossible to sleep, 

 owing to the screeching noise of the vampires, and 

 the howling of the native dogs. 



November 7- — Making slings and packing provi- 



VOL. IL F 



