264 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



lent, and many of them were of great size, growing close together 

 without any underwood. 



The gum tree, of which there are many kinds, is peculiar to New 

 Holland. It has an inner bark of about an inch thick, enclosed by 

 an outer one which is quite thin. The latter is shed every year, 

 which gives their trunks and branches a peculiar appearance of many 

 colours, from pure white, through all the shades of yellow, olive, and 

 red, to a deep brown. These colours showing through the green 

 foliage, produce a very striking effect on a stranger, and the contrast 

 is heightened by an occasional sight of a black and withered trunk, 

 from which the bark had been stripped by the natives to make canoes, 

 or by settlers to roof their houses. 



Ten miles brought them to Lake Macquarie, but on the opposite 

 side to Mr. Threlkeld's house, and they found themselves disap- 

 pointed in finding a canoe, which they were assured would be met 

 with at a settler's on the banks of the lake. They were thus obliged 

 to walk ten miles further. The guides were here again taken with 

 sullenness, and refused to proceed. They were proof against all 

 promises and abuse, and kept replying, " Me marry (very) tired, bel 

 (not) me want to go." Through the kindness of Mr. Warren, the 

 settler referred to, this obstacle was overcome, by his offering to send 

 his son as guide, with a horse to carry the portmanteau. . This offer 

 was thankfully accepted. 



After proceeding a few miles they came upon a little encampment 

 of natives, crouching around fires in front of their huts, which were 

 as rude as possible, made of a few pieces of bark laid against a stump 

 and covered with bushes ; they barely sufficed as a screen to keep off 

 the wind. One of the women was quite good-looking, with large 

 black eyes, white teeth, and small features. She was better dressed, 

 too, than any of the others, and the pretty half-caste child that was 

 clinging to her skirts, made it sufficiently evident in what manner 

 her finery had been obtained. As a part of the lake was said to be 

 fordable, it was determined to take advantage of it in order to shorten 

 the route. One mounted the horse to pass over. Whilst they were 

 proceeding quietly along, the horse suddenly reared and plunged, 

 relieving himself of his rider and load, which were thrown into water 

 two feet deep, without any further injury than a good ducking, and 

 the disparagement of the wardrobe. It was found that the horse 

 had trodden upon a stingray, which fully accounted for his sudden 

 gambols. It was sunset when they arrived at Mr. Threlkeld's 



