SURPRISE SOME NATIVES. 
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rich and undulating grounds bordering the river behind us. 
A poor, level, and open country, succeeded them. The 
soil changed to a light red, sandy loam, on which eu- 
calypti, cypresses, and casuarinm, were intermixed with 
minoi shrubs ; of which latter, the cherry tree (exocarpus 
cupressiformis) was the most prevalent. 
At about seven miles from the river we passed some bar- 
ren freestone ridges, near which Mr. Hume killed the first 
kangaroo we had seen. At mid-day we passed a small 
creek, at which the cattle were watered ; and afterwards 
continued our journey through a country similar to that 
ovei which we had already made our way. 
As we neared the stream we noticed the acacia pendula 
for the first time, — an indication of our approach to the 
marshes. The weather still continued extremely hot. Our 
journey this day was unusually long, and our cattle suf- 
fered so much, and moved so slowly, that it was late when 
we struck upon the Macquarie, at a part where its banks 
were so high that we had some difficulty in finding a good 
watering place. 
Being considerably in front of the party, with one of our 
guides, when we neared the river, I came suddenly upon 
a family of natives. They were much terrified, and finding 
that they could not escape, called vehemently to some of 
their companions, who were in the distance. By the time 
Mr. Hume came up, they had in some measure recovered 
their presence of mind, but availed themselves of the first 
favourable moment to leave us. I was particular in not 
