CH. III.] REMARKABLE TREK. 61 



progress into the regions beyond the great range. On the 

 contrary, a beautiful open country lay at its base, reaching 

 quite round it to the north-east. A fresh cooling breeze 

 from the north-west fanned our faces, as we beheld, for the 

 first time, that fine country. The recollection of the rocks, 

 which we had endeavoured to cross, further east, perhaps 

 heightened its beauty in our eyes, but the great range itself 

 formed a sublime horizon on the east, some of the summits 

 having very remarkably pointed or castellated forms. 



One tree of an uncommon genus grew on the borders of the 

 plain, and about a mile to the west, one solitary hill stood in 

 this plain, like an island in the sea. It was flat topped, with a 

 few trees on the summit. The uncommon tree w^as covered 

 with a yellow blossom, the leaf was dark green and shining, 

 and the wood was white.* The low country, which seemed 

 most to promise water, was still distant, while the course of 

 the Nammoy was receding from our route as I had reason to 

 believe, from the position of the low ridge which 1 had crossed. 

 An opening in the distance westward seemed to mark its 

 course. I was still disposed to pursue a middle direction 

 between the mountains and the river (35° W. of N.) but 

 I bore in mind, the necessity for turning these ranges, so as 

 to pass into that part of the country beyond them, at which 

 we should have arrived if we had crossed them where we first 

 attempted, in order to determine the question as to the exist- 

 ence of the large river there, as stated by the Barber. A rather 

 elevated, but grassy plain, afforded little prospect of water 

 being near, at the time we were about to halt and rest, after 

 a long journey, and I had directed the men to pitch the 

 tents, despairing of reaching water that day, when I suddenly 

 came upon a deep pool. I was truly sensible of the good- 

 ness of Providence, considering that this was to all appear- 

 ance the only water within many miles, and on a plain where 

 I had no reason to expect it. I could not then see how the 

 pond was supplied. Neither was this all our good fortune, for 



♦ See the Journal of my next Journey, Chap. viii. page 313. 



