CH. III.] MEET WITH NATIVES. 71 



previously encamped, 36° N. of W. A yellow, highly cal- 

 careous sandstone occurred in the bed and banks of this 

 stream, forming a stratum from two to three feet in thickness, 

 and in parts of the upper surface nodules of iron-stone were 

 imbedded. 



On examining our wheels, we found that the heat had da- 

 maged them very much, some of the spokes having shrunk 

 more than an inch. The carpenter managed, however, to 

 repair them this day. 



Jan. 8. — The morning was cool and pleasant, withabrerze 

 from the west. We left the ponds (named Wheel Ponds), 

 exactly at six a.m., and, after travelling a mile, entered a 

 scrub, through which we were compelled to cut a lane with 

 axes, for three miles; when at length the wood opened, and 

 some trees of that species of eucalyptus called "box," grew 

 on the flats. At five miles from our camp I shot a kangaroo. 

 At seven miles, as we entered a forest,* we heard the sound 

 of the natives' hatchets, and we saw soon after, their fires 

 at a distance. We at length came unawares upon a native in 

 a tree, for he was so busy at work cutting out an opossum, 

 that he did not see us, until we were very near him. A gin 

 and child gave the alarm, upon which he stared at the strange 

 assemblage with a look of horror, and immediately calling 

 to the female in an authoritative tone, she disappeared in the 

 woods. He then threw a club, or nnlla-nulla to the foot of 

 the tree, and ascended to the highest branch. I called to 

 him, and made such signs as I thought most likely to give 

 him confidence, and remove his apprehensions of harm ; but 

 apparently to no purpose, for his reply was " OgaiV pro- 

 nounced in a loud imperative tone. 1 thought it best to pro- 

 ceed quietly on our way ; whereupon he descended and ran 

 off, having picked up two spears, which lay near the tree. 

 We heard calls in various directions, and *' witefeilow" pro- 



* " A forest" means in New South Wales, an open wood, with gi-ass. The 

 common " bush'' or " scrub" consists of trees and saplings, where little grass 

 is to be found. 



