176 ROCKS OF BENY. [CH. II. 



At 7| miles, we crossed a chain of small ponds falling to 

 the north (probably Coysgaime's ponds of Oxiey) and about 

 one mile further, we ascended the northern shoulder of the 

 hill, I was in search of. Fiom the summit, 1 obtained 

 angles on one or two hills to the south, which lay a few 

 miles off, but I could not recognize them, as having been 

 previously intersected. 



We descended and proceeded northward through the 

 dense woods, in the midst of which, after estimating dis- 

 tances and time, I at length pulled my rein, and observed to 

 Mr. Cunningham, that I hoped to fall in with Mr. Larmer, 

 or the track of the carts thereabouts. Just then I heard 

 the crack of a whip, and we soon met Mr. Larmer at the 

 head of the party. I continued the route in the same direction 

 until after sunset, when we were obliged to encamp without 

 reaching water. Bulger however, with the assistance of the 

 natives, found some, after the rising of the moon, but not 

 until he had been nearly three miles to the northward in 

 search of it. The cattle could not be watered there that 

 night, as they had already travelled upwards of 15 miles. 



I was aware, that I might have made the Bogan by pro- 

 ceeding more towards the north ; but I preferred the direct 

 line of route, even at the risk of encountering a scarcity of 

 water. In the more northerly course, we should have en- 

 tered a great bight of that river, whereas I was making for 

 its most southern bend, which was not only in the most direct 

 line towards Oxley's Table-land, but was also nearer the 

 hills, along which I was desii'ous of working my survey. 



April 17. — We moved off at 8 o'clock, and at the distance 

 of 3j miles we came upon some curious rocks of red sand- 

 stone, forming the tops of a ridge which extended N. N. E. 



It is called Bcny by the natives, and in a deep crevice, 

 there is a well, the water of which, although at times appa- 

 rently deep, had the previous night, been drained nearly to 

 the bottom by a party of some tribe, whose fires still were 

 burning. 



