Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/57

28 Oct. 16th.—Recommenced our journey at 7 o’clock, a.m., and in half an hour came to a valley with a broad brook running through it to the W.N.W.; the soil on its banks being very rich and fertile, proceeded about two miles up it, when we crossed it over a fallen tree, and took a S.E. direction over a high hill on account of the banks becoming steep; at a quarter past 9 o’clock met two of the natives, with whom we were on friendly terms, near a small creek, running into the main stream from the W.S.W.; we shortly after crossed the brook, and lost sight of it for about three hours, our general course during that time being E.S.E. The soil for the first eight miles of this journey appeared good, particularly whenever the country opened and showed small valleys. The latter part of it, when we left the brook and proceeded along the summit of the hills, was generally rocky, and the surface covered with load-stones.—Thirteen miles extent of the second day’s journey.

Oct. 17th.—Proceeded at a quarter to 7 o’clock, a.m., and continued following the brook up in an E.S.E. direction, when we left it running S.E. and ascended a high hill, from which we had a view of the country for nine miles up the stream, and could perceive no change in it to induce us to continue our journey. Returned on our way home at half-past 11 o’clock over a hilly country, the surface of which was sandy and very thickly wooded with large trees; bivouaced at a quarter to 4 o’clock in a small valley, with a broad stream running through it to the N.W.; and a good soil on the banks of it.—Seventeen miles extent of the third day’s journey.

Oct. 18th.—Started at 7 o’clock, a.m. steering W.N.W., and in two hours and a half reached the