Page:Australia, from Port Macquarie to Moreton Bay.djvu/73

 on taking with me some Yarra-Hapinni blacks, with whom I had become acquainted during my surveys, as I knew they would prove of great service in explaining to the Bellengen blacks the object of my intrusion into their country. They would also assist my men in carrying their knapsacks, as I intended travelling on foot this time. Accordingly, I supplied two of my men with the requisite provisions, and armed them with carbines and pistols. I then put on the bush dress I usually wore in such excursions, which consisted of a scarlet woollen shirt, and light kerseymere trowsers, doubled in kangaroo leather down the legs, secured by a leather belt round my waist, supporting my cartouche box and pistols. In small excursions of a week or a fortnight's duration, in a brushy country, difficult to traverse, and in which it is absolutely necessary to carry as few things as possible, and bivouac at night on the bare ground, I found a simple dress, such as I have described, more convenient than any other; for, being entirely of woollen materials, it encouraged insensible perspiration, and was consequently not too warm during the heat of the day, whilst at night, when one has to sleep without any covering, it is more comfortable than common clothing. Besides, as it is frequently necessary to wade through rivers and swamps, and be exposed to rain, a thorough soaking in these woollen garments does not occasion that uncomfortable feeling of dullness, which it would do in the usual dress.