Prospect from view hill.

At length we reached the summit of View Hill, and no effervescing draught could have proved more really refreshing than the south-east breeze which greeted us there.  It is separated from the ranges to the southward by a deep narrow valley.  We noticed from it that the river evidently increased in size, as traced upwards, and I was very glad to find that the delight I experienced in making this discovery, was shared by my companions.  We traced it east for two long miles—­a deep broad and picturesque stream:  beyond that limit it took a more southerly direction, apparently behind some high tableland (Table Hill) 200 feet high.  Beyond, and on the eastern side of the valley of the river, rose a high peak, crowned by a remarkable block of stone, to which we gave the name of The Tower.  I made a sketch of the scenery, and took a round of angles, and then we returned to the boats.  On our arrival we found the thermometer had been as high as 110 degrees at one P.M.  The afternoon was occupied in selecting a party of five out of the boats’ crews, for a pedestrian excursion; and at night, jaded as we were, it was almost impossible to sleep, owing to the screeching noise of the vampires, and the howling of the native dogs.

Preparations for A pedestrian excursion.

November 7.

Making slings and packing provisions for an early start to-morrow morning occupied the greater part of the day.  Mr. Bynoe, as he had done yesterday, added to his valuable collection a few rare birds, and strange plants; while I took several readings of the barometer, morning and evening, for the elevation of the bed of the river:  the mean gave a resulting height of thirty feet.

Our bivouac at Reach Hopeless, was under the shade of a cluster of drooping gumtrees, which secreted in their thick foliage, numbers of a bird figured by Mr. Gould as Tripidorhynchus argenticeps.  These kept up a constant amusing chatter, in which we could frequently detect an exact imitation of the words Walk Up, when spoken sharply.  A kangaroo Mr. Bynoe had shot, and hung on a tree, drew the attention of birds of prey, consisting of two kinds of hawks, one of a dark brown, almost black, and another a lighter shade of the same colour, resembling copper, with a great deal of white about the head; so that we were surrounded with feathered companions.

The wind as usual was East-North-East in the morning, and North-West in the evening.  The thermometer ranged from 97 to 112 degrees during the day, and fell to 90 degrees at night; during which we noticed several meteors in the north and north-west falling perpendicularly.

November 8.

Our little band left the boats before daylight, the morning being agreeably cool (temperature 85 degrees).  Captain Wickham had intended heading this most interesting expedition himself, but feeling indisposed, the party was eventually placed under my command, and in addition to myself, consisted of Mr. Bynoe, surgeon; Mr. Forsyth, mate; George Knox, Robert Gower, and William Willing, seamen; John Brown, and Richard Martin, marines.  Besides provisions for six days, and arms, we had with us the following instruments:  large sextant, small sextant, artificial horizon, chronometer, two compasses, spyglass, watch, lantern, and measuring tape.