20 
DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVE OE JOURNEY. 
flames, the ti trees amongst the fern appearing like distinct 
columns of fire. 
The ground was still warm when we started on the following 
day, and after a two-mile walk we were again glad of the cool 
forest sha'de, as the sun was very hot. Our route now led us along 
the steep sides of the mountains bordering the Buller, where in 
places we had to climb over granite cliffs, forming perpendicular 
banks, between which the river was confined to a breadth not 
exceeding thirty or forty feet, the water in such places being so 
deep that it looked blue and stagnant. After a march of eight 
miles we reached the junction of the Maruia, which we had to 
ascend. Here we camped. 
Notwithstanding that we were all very tired, three of my party 
went to fish, and returned with one large eel, a valuable addition 
to our stock. The Maruia is a very fine river, with clear water, and, 
for the first day’s journey of six miles, offered few difficulties, 
having on its side good terraces, with a pretty clear forest. The 
totara, which we found very common in the Mataki-taki plains, 
and near the junction of the Buller with the Maruia, now became 
less common, and, at a distance of ten miles up the river, ceased to 
grow. 
following the Maruia, upon its eastern bank, for one and a-half 
miles, upon a mossy terrace, we had to cross the river, and not¬ 
withstanding that at this spot it was very broad, and divided into 
two arms, it was deep and rapid. Ascending the terrace upon the 
western bank, we followed Mr. Mackay’s track, as indicated by 
some blazed trees. After another mile, we had to ascend a steep 
hill, which presented an almost vertical precipice, round which the 
river wound. Mr. Mackay had here descended to the river, and 
we followed his track, but finding that it would be impossible to 
carry the intended road over this ground, we reascended the hill, 
and endeavoured to find a better route further inland, in which we 
For five days we continued our route, trying to find the best 
possible track. ¥e travelled partly on the high terrace where -if 
times we had to climb up and ‘dowi almost perpeuS’aiXes 
at others crossing and recrossing the river, 1 which was very 
treacherous its smooth waters appearing sufficiently shallow to 
permit us to cross it whilst, in attempting doing so, we were 
frequently compelled to return to our former fords in order to 
prevent ourselves from being washed down. All its tributaries of 
any importance flowed from the east, which may be easilv under 
stood, as the Mataki-taki is close to the Maruia^ and for the first 
ln u C ”S ° + r e !? ntcen ,? lles are on] y separated by low hills. We 
ooked to the south, and observed a rocky mountain chain to 
which each day we drew nearer. We had neea^rvnoii + ’ ? 
very steep hills, whilst at times deep gorges mrrowedhhe river\ 
course, and gave to the scenery a J romanti^appearance^It 
( 
