38 
DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVE OE JOURNEY - , 
thence to Milford Haven, well named the Southern Alps, were 
distinctly visible, and amongst them, its two snow covered peaks 
glittering in the sun, Mount Cook rose majestically. We could 
not sufficiently admire this unique scene, and it was not without 
regret that we commenced our descent from our lotty observatory. 
After a hearty meal of lilipi! our other provisions being 
exhausted, we descended the mountain, crossed the Grey, and 
camped on the other side, near the spot where the proposed line 
of road will enter the forest. Although we started early the next 
morning, we thought it almost impossible to reach our provisions 
at the junction of the Mawhera-iti, it having taken us three days 
to get from thence to our last night’s camping place; but not 
having much to carry, we determined to try our utmost, and here 
we learnt the difference of travelling through untouched forest and 
through a blazed track with occasional cuttings. At eleven o’clock 
O O 
we reached our old camp in the bush, at three we struck the Grey, 
and at dark arrived at the junction, exhausted by hunger, wet, 
and cold, having forded the river, which was now very cold, at 
least ten times, thus accomplishing in one day our three former 
days’ march. In fact it was only by walking as fast as we could 
that we succeeded in keeping up the circulation of the blood. 
This mountain trip thus occupied me a fortnight, whilst in fine 
summer weather it could have been accomplished in from five to 
six days at furthest. 
_ The next day, 22nd April, we prepared to start in a northerly 
direction to examine the rivers Otututu and Mawhera-iti, although 
it began again to rain. For three days and three nights the rain 
continued without ceasing, so that it was impossible to move 
forward. The Grey and the Mawhera-iti rose very high, and it 
was really a beautiful sight to see these two rivers loin, each 
bringing down enormous masses of timber uprooted by the flood. 
Flaving confidence in the large valley, and in the broad bed of the 
river, we thought our camp was quite safe, the banks of the Grey- 
being here from twelve to fourteen feet above the level of the 
stream, but we were greatly deceived. 
At day break on the 24th, on looking out of the tent I observed 
to my astonishment, that the water was already level with the 
river banks, and from the continued rain we had reason to expect 
a further rise. Of course I called out the men, stowed everyth inn 
as quick as possible m the whata, and yet, before we had 'struck 
the tents we were knee deep in water. We searched around us 
for a higher spot, but unfortunately without success, as the place 
upon which we had pitched our tent was nearly surrounded by a 
little rivulet m which the water was much deeper than where 'we 
stood \V e all went to work, however, and erected upon the 
ig est point of our island, between two trees, a stage, over which 
we spread the tent. Here, at least, we were safe, thoimh it is not 
necessary to add that we were rather uncomfortable, having been 
