Page:Papers of William Shakespeare Hall, 1861–1895.pdf/13

 (Camp 11 Lat 21° 33' L 117° by account)

JUNE 5.

10 miles about S. We were compelled to brave the river; as after starting we soon found ourselves locked in, with steep cliffs on one hand; & deep water on the other. We travelled over very rough steep ranges, for 5 miles; & a plain for about 5 more, with some grass, which brought us to the foot of a fine bold range of hills (named the Hamersley) where we camped without water.

The ranges we traversed in the early part of the day, have something of the auriferous character, with however but little quartz, & the trap horizontal.

Light shower or two through night. Camp 12.

JUNE 6.

3 miles N.E. We returned to the river for water, & struck it 7 miles above where we left it.

The plain at the foot of the Hamersley Range is excellent soil, rich deep brown loam, with excellent feed up to our saddle flaps. We passed over much quartz, some covered with a calcareous looking substance. Here the river is a very fine stream, & on its banks we first met with an extraordinary palm tree, with branches 7 feet wide, & 8 feet long. (Syagrus revoluta) 4 ft High. The party caught a bucketful of fish, some 2½ lbs weight, somewhat resembling a cobbler. Fine grass & good soil on river. The plain at the root of Hamersley Range was named the