18 EQUIPMENT. [CH. I. 



Thus it had been my study, in organizing this party, to 

 combine proved men of both services with some neat-handed 

 mechanics, as engineers, and it now formed a respectable 

 body of men, for the purpose for which it was required. 



Our materiel consisted of eight muskets, six jjistols ; and 

 our small stock of ammunition, including a box containing 

 sky-rockets, was carried on one of the covered carts. 



Of these tilted carts we had two, so constructed that they 

 could be drawn either by one or two horses. They were also 

 so light, that they could be moved across difficult passes 

 by the men alone. Three stronger carts or drays were 

 loaded with our stock of provisions, consisting of flour, pork 

 (which had been boned in order to diminish the bulk as 

 much as possible), tea, tobacco, sugar and soap. We had, 

 besides, a sufficient number of pack saddles for the draught 

 animals, that, in case of necessity, we might be able to carry 

 forward the loads by such means. Several pack-horses were 

 also attached to the party. I had been induced to prefer 

 wheel carriages for an exploratory journey — 1st, From the 

 level nature of the interior country ; 2ndly, From the greater 

 facility and certainty they afforded of starting early, and as 

 the necessity for laying all our stores in separate loads on 

 animals' backs could thus be avoided. The latter method 

 being further exposed to interruptions on the way — by the 

 derangement of loads — or galling the animals' backs — one 

 inexperienced man being thus likely to impede the progress 

 of the whole party. 



For the navigation or passage of rivers, two portable boats 

 of canvass, had been prepared by Mr. Eager, of the King's 

 dockyard at Sydney. We carried the canvass only, with 

 models of the ribs — and tools, having carpenters who could 

 complete them, as occasions required. 



Our hour for encanqjing, when circumstances permitted, 

 was to be two v. m., as alibrding time for the cattle to feed 

 and rest, but this depended on our finding water and grass. 

 Day-break was to be the signal for preparing fcjr the journey, 



