AUSTRALIA. 285 



where is a convict depot. From this spot to the Neck (about six 

 miles) the road is carried along the shores of the narrow inlet 

 which so nearly forms an island of the peninsula. It is from two 

 to three miles wide, but in some places less. As I neared the 

 Neck I passed sentry-boxes, placed at intervals, each guarded by 

 fierce and noisy dogs chained to their tubs. Proceeding onwards 

 the passage reminded me of the " Pilgrim's Progress," for every 

 few yards I was saluted with a " bow-wow- wow " and a sulky 

 show of teeth, by dogs which were tied to bushes close to the 

 sides of the road. These precautions are to prevent the escape of 

 convict?, by giving timely warning to the sentinels ; and lest the 

 unfortunate runaway should elude all these Cerberi, a line of 

 dogs, each a few yards apart, is drawn the whole way. across the 

 Neck, a few also being placed on stages erected in the water. A 

 row of safety lamps, for night, also extends across, while close 

 behind these walks the sentry, and thus the runaway is kept 

 from crossing over. Boldly passing the sentry, I inquired for 

 the officers' quarters, and alighting at the cottage of Lieutenant 

 G. of the 99th Regiment, the officer then in command of the 

 party, I presented my letter of introduction — was asked in, 

 and introduced to his wife and family. We had luncheon, and 

 Lieutenant G. then offered me the choice of a walking stick 

 from a huge bundle, which must have contained over a hundred 

 — all different, and of his own making. Many were from 

 Norfolk Island, where he had been stationed, and some were 

 very curious and handsome, but I modestly took only a very 

 plain one, and thus armed, we set off for the shore. 



A walk of an hour brought us to the first curiosity, which 

 was a spring of water that never dried up — a great recom- 

 mendation in Australia. Here Mr. G. had placed a rustic seat, 

 and had cut steps in the rock leading to the spring, the water 

 of which trickled in a feeble thread. He had also " planted " a 

 broken tumbler under a bush, and now requested me " to taste 

 the water and declare it to be excellent," which I did. We 

 then pursued our walk for half-an-hour by a path this " Man of 

 Ross " had cut for more than a mile through a thickly tangled 

 scrub, for the use of travellers visiting Tasman's Arch, the 

 next* lion, which, is a large square chasm in a field, into which 

 the sea rushes under a lofty arch of rock, at the depth of about 

 a hundred feet. It is a fine bold object. 



