TRAVELLING DOWN THE RIVER. 
37 
than any we had ever had before. There was an evi- 
dent change in the river ; the banks were reedy, the 
channel deep and muddy, and the neighbourhood bore more 
the appearance of being subject to overflow than it had 
done in any one place we had passed over. The hills were 
much lower, and as we gained the southern brow of that 
under which we encamped, we could see a level and wooded 
country to the westward. The line of the horizon was un- 
broken by any hills in the distance, and the nearer ones 
seemed gradually to lose themselves in the darkness of the 
landscape. 
The two natives, whom the stockmen had named Peter 
and Jemmie, were of infinite service to us, from their know- 
ledge of all the passes, and the general features of the 
country. Having, however, seen 11 s thus far on the journey 
from their usual haunts, they became anxious to return, and 
it was with some difficulty we persuaded them to accompany 
us for a few days longer, in hopes of reward. The weather 
had been cool and pleasant ; the thermometer averaging 78 
of Fahrenheit at noon, in consequence of which the animals 
kept in good condition, and the men healthy and zealous 
The sheep Mr. O’Brien had presented to us, gave no ad- 
ditional trouble ; they followed in the rear of the party 
without attempting to wander, and were secured at night in 
a small pen or fold. No waste attended their slaughter, 
nor did they lose in condition, from being driven from ten to 
fifteen miles daily, so much as I had been led to suppose 
they would have done. 
