CH. I.] PROPOSED ROUTE. 27 



of limestone, and fragments of trap-rock. After passing- 

 several extremities of ridges, of a similar description, all being- 

 branches from high ranges on our left, we came upon a por- 

 tion of the plains. This expanse of open level country, ex- 

 tended in a northerly direction, as far as human vision could 

 reach , and being clear of trees, presented a remarkable 

 contrast to the settled districts of the colony. The soil of 

 these plains looked rich, the grass was good, and herds of 

 cattle browsing at a distance, added pastoral beauty, to that 

 which had been recently a desert. 



We now turned from the track, we had thus far followed in 

 a west-south-west direction, and parting from our friends, the 

 natives, who insisted on our keeping the track, we again 

 entered the woods, by turning a little to the north. My 

 object, in proceeding in this direction, was to reach the bank 

 of Peel's river at Wallawoul ; that stream having been laid 

 down as holding a northerly course, and consequently I had 

 reason to believe that it would lead to any greater river flow- 

 ing to the north-west, as reported by the " barber." But in- 

 dependently of ;his consideration, it was expedient to travel 

 along its right bank, which commanded access to the high 

 ranges on the east, and would therefore secure the pai-ty from 

 any danger of obstruction from floods. 1 soon came on an- 

 other path, and a line of marked trees, which a native, whom 

 I met, said was the road from Palmer's to Loder's station. 

 We next arrived at a deep dry bed, which in wet seasons 

 must be filled by a very considerable stream, but in that time 

 of drought, it was not until after riding up and down a consi- 

 derable distance in search of water, that I at length found 

 some ponds. The native name of this channel is " Nuza- 

 bella." We crossed its bed, in order to encamp at a shady 

 spot, where the long grass had been burnt a short while be- 

 fore. In other parts, the grass reached to the heads of the 

 horses, and at this time was so liable to catch fire, and was 

 so frequently set on fii-e by the natives, that with our Stock 

 of ammunition, the situation of the camp required particular 



