Volume I Part 41 (1/2)

Result of his survey.

Send off a courier to Sydney.

Marks of Mr. Dixon.

Tandogo Creek and magnificent pine forest.

Hervey's range in sight.

Improved appearance of the country.

Meet the natives who first accompanied us.

Arrive at a cattle station.

Learn that Mr. Cunningham had been killed by natives.

Cookopie ponds.

Goobang Creek.

Character of the river Bogan.

Native inhabitants on its banks.

Their mode of fis.h.i.+ng.

Manners and customs.

Prepare to quit the party.

The boats.

Plan of encampment.

Mount Juson.

Leave the party and mark a new line of ascent to Hervey's range.

Get upon a road.

Arrive at Buree.

THE PARTY LEAVES THE DARLING.

August 13.

This morning we finally quitted Fort Bourke and the banks of the Darling to return by our former route along the Bogan. We halted within a mile of our previous encampment, and again drank of the waters of that river, but from a very shallow pond, that which we formerly had recourse to being quite dry.

NATIVES APPROACH THE CAMP DURING THE NIGHT.

August 14.

We continued the journey most prosperously, all things considered, and bivouacked beside a large pond two miles beyond our ground of the 23rd May. We saw natives all about, but they did not venture too near us. I supposed they were of the tribe which formerly behaved so well when we pa.s.sed these ponds. About eight P.M. however we perceived numerous fire-sticks approaching among the bushes; and though I counted nine in motion yet I heard no noise. I directed the men to be silent, curious to know what these people meant to do. At length, when the lights had approached within 150 yards of our camp, everyone suddenly disappeared; the bearers preserving all the while the most perfect silence. I then thought it advisable to scare these natives away, supposing that they were lurking about our camp with the intention to steal.

SCARED BY A ROCKET.

I accordingly placed some men with instructions to rush forward shouting as soon as I should send up a rocket. Its ascent and our sudden accompanying noise had no doubt a tremendous effect on the natives, for even in the morning they remained at a respectful distance.

August 15.