DESCEIPTIYE ^ARBATIYE OF JOUENEY. 
59 
under a high overhanging cliff, whilst the surface of the ground, 
consisting of huge angular blocks of sandstone, formed our bed. 
The next morning, although it continued to rain, we resumed 
our journey, climbing several magnificent falls, jumping over huge 
rocks, round, slippery, and covered with moss, and often only 
broad enough for one’s foot, where a false step would have cost 
life or limb. One of my party fell twice, having confided in the 
branches of trees, which sprung from crevices in the almost 
perpendicular walls of the gully, the roots of which however were 
not strong enough to hold him. Having descended the River 
Whare-atea for some distance, we reached the swampy plains, and 
after wading for another mile in the icy water of "the river, we 
managed to ascend its banks to the level of the plains, which, in 
consequence of the heavy and continued rain had become almost 
impracticable, and although by the time we arrived at the edge of 
the forest it was becoming dark, we endeavoured to reach the sea 
shore, where dry firewood could be obtained. Owing to the 
murky state of the weather it soon became too dark to see 
anything before us, and we therefore guided ourselves by the 
sound of the surf, but after a vain attempt to reach the shore, 
getting severe falls over prostrate trees, and cutting our faces and 
hands against stumps and toi-toi grass, we gave up the attempt, 
and camped. By the aid of a small piece of candle we managed 
to pitch the tent and to get into our blankets. It was impossible 
to light a fire, and as we had unfortunately nothing except flour 
with us, we were obliged to go to bed without supper, but owing 
to the great exertions of the day we were soon fast asleep. 
The next day we reached the Buller, and again enjoyed the 
comforts of a roof. Mr. Eochfort, who had arrived the night 
before, came to see us. He had finished his work, and intended 
to start next morning for Nelson, so that we were soon all busy 
writing letters for home. He was good enough to allow one of 
his Maories, who had travelled three times round the coast, to 
remain with me, and I take this opportunity of thanking him for 
that, and for the many other services he rendered to me and my 
party at our several meetings. 
After Mr Rochfort’s departure I explored the level country on 
the southern side of the Buller, and then prepared to return 
to Nelson. As I did not know how long it would take me 
to reach West Wanganui, on account of the great amount of 
geological and topographical work I had to do, I engaged two 
other Maories at the pah to carry provisions as far as the Kara- 
mea, or Mackay, river. Just as we were about to start, heavy rain 
set in, and we had again to practise patience. We thought that 
if the climate here was always as wet during the winter as we had 
found it, it was not likely to rival that of Nelson ; for although 
the natives assured me that they had not for many years expe¬ 
rienced such horrid weather, I doubted their statements, until I 
