Page:Historical records of Port Phillip.djvu/26

 Saturday 8th.—The captain arrived early in the morning, and, it being a showery day, remained at the marquee all day.

Sunday 9th.—At nine o'clock the captain, self, Harry, and a seaman set off with an intention to cross the island. We went along the shore to the stream of water we were at on the 2nd inst. Went to the lagoon we had been at before; we came to it at another place than we had previously been at. It appeared much larger, and fuller of tufty grass, the brush being very thick round it, and the water only knee deep. We ventured through it. It was nearly the same depth all the way over, which we supposed to be about two miles. It is full of tufty grass and bull-rushes, of a circular form. We afterwards kept an easterly course through a level country, sometimes dry, at others swampy. Trees small and very high, except some very large gum trees. It rained most of the day, which made it very disagreeable travelling. Marched till sunset, and it was with difficulty we could make a fire.

Monday 10th.—Started at four o'clock in the morning. Met with some fine land, the soil more strong and of a loamy nature. Went over some miles of it—some of a reddish, other of a grey cast. The trees are very high. I measured a gum tree that appeared lately fallen; 100 yards clear stem, and between five and six feet diameter. As near as I could judge there are about 20 per acre. The others small and straight. The poles are only two or three feet apart, very high and straight, from six to eighteen inches in diameter, of various sorts; high fern and sword-grass; a fine deep black soil. Passed a spot of moory ground, where we saw some badgers and kangaroos.

Tuesday 11th.—Started at six; continued our course. The country nearly as on the preceding day. At about two or three o'clock came to a swamp, with some very high fern trees. A little further came to a small stream of water. Traced it a little way, but finding it did not run directly in our course, the captain left for about a mile, when we fell in with it again. It was considerably larger, and I supposed it to be the head of the Great River, which runs into Elephant Bay. We traced it by crossing several times, there being many trees fallen across it. At about two or three miles from the place we first discovered it the water became salt, where the river is wider and fit for a boat to pass, between which and the beach are several small islands; on each side a tract of clear marsh, one side green, the other dead rushes; the side of the marsh next the sea hilly, the other level forest land. Saw many swans and ducks, and at six o'clock arrived at the mouth of the river in Elephant Bay. I suppose it may be about five miles from the place we first fell in with it to the bay. The same night we went to Cooper's, and stopped the night, being very tired and hungry.

I was informed that the French commodore took on board four of the prisoners which he landed on our arrival and one Lyons, an Irishman.

Wednesday 12th.—Set out at six o'clock, along the shore. Walked till four o'clock, when we shot a kangaroo. Sat down to broil it, but, the brush taking fire around us, was obliged to move a little further, where we made another fire; and it was our intention to have stopped the night, but, the wind being high and the smoke troublesome, about