THE RlVEll DU MOT. 
25 
the extreme boundary ; and it was in a bight, and on ground 
rather elevated above the plain, that he had fixed his resi- 
dence. He informed me that we should have to cross the 
river, as its banks were too precipitous, and the ranges too 
abrupt, to admit of our keeping the right side ; and recom- 
mended me to examine and fix upon a spot at which to 
cross, before I again moved forward, expressing his readi- 
ness to accompany me as a guide. We accordingly rode 
down the river, to a place at which some stockmen had 
effected a passage, — after a week’s labour in hewing out a 
canoe. I by no means intended that a similar delay should 
occur in our case, but 1 saw no objection to our crossing at 
the same place j since its depth, and consequent tranquil- 
lity, rendered it eligible enough for that purpose. 
The Dumot river, another mountain stream, joins the 
Morumbidgee opposite to Mr. Whaby’s residence. It is 
little inferior to the latter either in size or in the rapidity of 
its current, and, if I may rely on the information I 
received, waters a finer country, the principal rock-forma- 
tion upon it being of limestone and whinstone. It rises 
amidst the snowy ranges to the S. E., and its banks are bet- 
ter peopled than those of the stream into which it discharges 
itself. Of course, such a tributary enlarges the Morum- 
bidgee considerably : indeed, the fact is sufficiently evident 
from the appearance of the latter below the junction. 
During our ride with Whaby down its banks, we saw 
nothing but the richest flats, almost entirely clear of timber 
and containing from 400 to 700 acres, backed by ranges 
that were but partially wooded, and were clothed with ver- 
