CHAPTER II. 



Ascend the Canobolas — Choose the direction of my route— Ascend the hill north 

 of Buree — Encampon the Miinrladgery — Cross a granitic range — King's Creek 

 — Cross Harvey's range — First view of the interior — Parched state of the 

 interior country — The dogs kill a kangaroo — Steep descent to the westward — 

 Search for water by moonlight — Encamp without any — Follow a valley down- 

 wards and find water — Lifeless appearance of the vallies — Luxury of possess- 

 ing water after long privation — Ascend Mount Juson with Mr. Cunningham — 

 Enter the valley of the Goobang— Meet the natives — Social encampment — 

 Mount Laidley — Springs on the surface of the plains under Croker's range 

 — Cross Goobang Creek — The dogs kill three large kangaroos — Wild honey 

 brought by the natives — Arrive at " Ttindogo" — Allan's water of Oxley — 

 Advantage of aboriginal names on maps — Excursion with Mr. Cunningham — 

 Effects of a hurricane in tlie forest — Encamp without water — Natives leave 

 the party — Cattle distressed for want of water — Mr. Cunningham missing — 

 Desperate search for water — At length find water on reaching by night 

 the river Bogan — Encamp on this river. 



April 6. — Accompanied by two men carrying barome- 

 ters and my theodolite, I ascended the mountain of the 

 Canobolas, distant from Buree about twelve miles. I was 

 desirous of connecting the map of our intended journey with 

 that summit, because it is a prominent point in my general 

 survey of the colony. It also commands an extensive view 

 towards the country, we were about to explore ; indeed the 

 course of streams, and direction of ranges within thirty-five 

 miles around this mass, seemed only subordinate features. The 

 height of the mountain above the sea is, according to my 

 observations, 4461, G feet, which is much higher than any 

 of the Blue Mountains. I sought in vain, on their azure 

 horizon in the cast, for the numy summits which 1 had as- 

 cended there ; but could distinguish none save Mount 

 Lachlan, tin; position of which, having been well fixed, was, 

 however, sufficient for my jiurpose. Fom this elevated group 

 of the Canobolas, a cliain of heights of ])rini;iry rocks ex- 



