Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/249

 to climb another hill, of no ordinary ascent, which made perspiration flow freely; time and patience brought us to the top, and on the other side may be seen mahogany trees of extraordinary dimensions: I measured one which had been burnt down, which was thirty-eight yards, or 114 feet long; another that was standing measured fourteen yards round the base. I stood by another which lay flat on the ground, but could not see over it; this tree would be six feet in diameter, at least: you may think these dimensions almost incredible, but I assure you it is fact. Found a beautiful stream and rested for the night before the fire, the tent being left in the wilderness.

November 7th.—Set off again about 6 o'clock, and after a march of about five hours and a half, through forest, swamp, and stream, we arrived at the last hill, and had a view of the sea, Garden Island, Rotteness, Melville Waters, Mount Eliza, Perth, &c. With considerable difficulty we descended into the plain, and took a little refreshment by a delightful brook. After resting a little, we set off again, having eight or ten miles to walk, and about half past 5 we arrived at Captain Byrne's, and had the satisfaction of again seeing home.

"Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home," after a sixteen days' ramble into the interior of a country where no Europeans had been before us. Had you seen the party arrive you would certainly have either laughed or cried, I don't know which; some were in a pitiable plight, having worn out their shoes,—a good crop of toes to be seen before, and a famous round heel behind; others with their trowsers worn off half-way up the leg, and a knee peeping out; some had not been shaven all the time, others but once; in fact, it was high time all of us made the land of the living again, for all needed some repairs, and our stock of provisions was all but exhausted: it put me in mind of some words in Cowper's "Mutual forbearance,"


 * "worn out graces,
 * Long beards, long notes, and pale faces.
 * Are each an antiquated scene."

Pale faces was not applicable in the present case, for