Al-PENDIX. ^0. V. 
203 
this level country it is impossible to speak with certainty, 
or to give any decided opinion of the nature of it, beyond 
the flats on which we are travelling. The reeds to the 
north-east and northward extend over a circumference of 
fifty miles; but if Mr. Hume really saw mountains or ris- 
ing ground in the former point, the apparent course of the 
Macquarie is at once accounted for. The country, how- 
ever, seems to dip to the north, though generally 
speaking it is level, and I am inclined to think that 
the state of the atmosphere caused a deception in this 
appearance. 
I regret to add, that the effects of the sun on the plain 
over which we passed on the 23d produced a return of in- 
flammation in the eyes of the men, 1 have named in my jour- 
nals, and caused the same in the eyes of several others of 
my party. I halted, therefore, to expedite their recovery. 
They are doing well now, and we can proceed in the cool of 
the morning without any fear of their receiving injury by 
it. One of the men, who were to return to Wellington 
Valley, was attacked slightly with dysentery, but the medi- 
cines I gave him carried it off in the course of a day or 
two. I have taken every precaution with regard to the 
health of the men, in preparing them for the country into 
which they are going ; and I have to request that you will 
inform the governor that the conduct of the whole party 
merits my approbation, and that I have no fault to find. 
The men from Sydney are not so sharp as those from Wel- 
lington Valley, but are equally well disposed. The animals, 
both horses and bullocks, are in good order, and I find the 
two soldiers of infinite service to me. The boat has receiv- 
ed some damage from exposure to intense heat, but is 
