42 VIEW FROM MOUNT YDIRE — ^TANOULDA. [CH. II. 



at the time, that much might be done to remedy the natural 

 disadvantages, whether of a superfluity of water lodging on 

 the plains in rainy seasons, or of too great a scarcity of 

 moisture in dry weather. Channels might be cut in the 

 lines of natural drainage, which would serve to draw off the 

 water from the plains, and concentrate and preserve a suffi- 

 cient supply for use in times of drought, when it would not 

 be obtained elsewhere. 



We had followed the dry channel for about a mile and a 

 half in search of water, without much prospect of finding 

 any, when we came to a rocky part, which still contained, in 

 several pools, more indeed than sufficient for all our wants, 

 and here we gladly encamped. The range no longer inter- 

 cepted our view to the westward, and I lost no time in 

 ascending one of its pointed summits, named " Ydire," ac- 

 companied by Mr. White, and our guide, "Mr. Brown." From 

 this hill, the \iew extended far and wide over the country to 

 the westward. The most conspicuous feature in that land- 

 scape, was a lofty flat-topped hill in the middle distance, being- 

 somewhat isolated, and on the western border of a plain which 

 extended from our position to its base. The native name of 

 this was " Boonalla." A singular-looking pic, someway 

 northward of Boonalla, next drew my attention. This, ac- 

 coi'ding to my sable authority, was " Tangulda." A mean- 

 dering line of trees bounded an open part of the intervening- 

 plain, and marked the course, as my guide informed me, of 

 the " Nammoy." Now the hills I have just mentioned, and 

 tlie coui'se of this river, had been exactly described by the 

 bushranger, and the scene made me half believe his story. 



I determined to proceed to the pic of Tangulda, tliis being 

 the course also recommended by my guide, as the best for the 

 continued pursuit of the Nannnoy. 



Liverpool plains, which appear to tiie colonists as if 

 boundless to the northward, were now so far behind us, that 

 their most noi'tiiern limits were barely visible to the south- 

 ward, in two fain! yellow j?lieaks. The basin in which these 



