GRASSY COUNTRY. 
67 
the ledges of rock in the bed of the watercourse. 
So little do we know what is before us, and so 
short a time is necessary to change the aspect of 
affairs, and frequently too, when we least expect it ! 
July 14. — Our hut not having been quite water- 
tight before the rain came, we got very wet during 
the night, and turned out early this morning to go 
and hunt for firewood to warm ourselves. 
As the weather still continued rainy, I determined 
to give our horses a day’s rest, whilst I walked up 
the watercourse to examine it farther. I found the 
hills open a good deal more as I proceeded, with 
nice grassy valleys between ; and the hills them- 
selves, though high and steep, were rounded at the 
summits, and richly clothed with vegetation : among 
them numerous watercourses took their rise in the 
gorges, and generally these were well marked by 
gum-trees. Altogether it was a pretty and fertile 
spot, and though very hilly, would do well for 
stock, if permanent water could be found near. I 
was quite unsuccessful, however, in my search for 
this, and the native boy, whom I sent in the oppo- 
site direction, after my return, was equally unfor- 
tunate. Towards evening, one of the horses having 
broken his hobbles, and got alarmed, galloped off, 
taking the other with him. Tired and wet as I was, 
I was obliged to go after them, and it was some 
miles from the camp, before I could overtake and 
turn them back. Our latitude was 30° 55' S. 
July 15. — This morning was misty and cloudy, 
f 2 
