CH. I.] BURNING GRASS. 19 



and no time was allowed for breakfast, until after the party 

 had encamped for the day. 



As we proceeded along the road leading to the pass in the 

 Liverpool range, Mr. White overtook us, having obtained an 

 additional supply of flour, tobacco, tea and sugar, with which 

 Mr. Finch was to follow the party as soon as he could pro- 

 cure the carts and bullocks necessary for the carriage of 

 these stores. 



After travelling six hours, we encamped beside a small 

 water-course near Muscle Brook, the thermometer at four 

 p. M. being as high as 95°. In the evening, the burning 

 grass became rather alarming, especially as we had a small 

 stock of ammunition in one of the carts. I had established 

 our camp to the windward of the burning grass, but I soon 

 discovered that the progress of the fire was against the wind, 

 especially where the grass was highest. This may appear 

 strange, but it is easily accounted for. The extremities of 

 the stalks bending from the wind, are the first to catch the 

 flame, but as they become successively ignited, the fire runs 

 directlv to the windward, which is toward the lower end of 

 the spikes of grass, and catching the extremities of other 

 stalks still further in the direction of the wind, it travels in 

 a similar manner along them. V/e managed to extinguish 

 the burning grass before it reached our encampment, but 

 to prevent the invasion of such a dangerous enemy we took 

 the precaution, on other occasions, of burning a sufficient 

 space around our tentss in situations where we were exposed 

 to like inconvenience and danger. 



Dec. 1, Six A. M. — -The thermometer at 82°. As the party 

 proceeded, the sky became overcast, and the absence of the 

 sun made the day much more agreeable. Towards noon we 

 had rain and thunder, and this weather continued until we 

 reached the banks of the Hunter. We forded the river 

 where the stream was considerable at the time, and then en- 

 camped on the left bank. The draught animals appeared 

 less fatigued by this journey, than they had been by that of 



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