When we had travelled four miles we came to a swamp where a considerable current of water was flowing into it through some ponds; the margin of this running water being broad, flat, and grassy, and having also lofty gumtrees (white bark and eucalypti) growing on it.  Unfortunately it was so soft and rotten, as the men described it, that all the wheels sunk to the axles and, although in such cases it was usual to apply the combined force of several teams to draw each vehicle through in turn, we found that the rising ground opposite was equally soft and yielding, so that the cattle could have no firm footing to enable them to pull.  It was night before we could, with the strength of all the teams united by long chains and yoked to each vehicle successively, bring the whole through, the broad wheels of each cart actually ploughing to the depth of the axle in soft earth; the labour of the cattle may therefore be imagined.  We encamped on a small barren plain much resembling a heath and just beyond the swamp which had proved so formidable an impediment.

August 7.

Our progress this day was still less than that made during the preceding one for it did not much exceed a mile.  To that distance we had proceeded tolerably well, having crossed two small running brooks, and all appeared favourable before us.  But a broad piece of rising ground which, being sandy with banksia and casuarinae trees on it, I had considered firm proved so very soft that even my own horse went down with me and wallowed in the mud.

EXCURSION INTO THE COUNTRY BEFORE US.

There was no way of avoiding this spot, at least without delay, and I ordered the men immediately to encamp, being determined to go forward with a party on horseback and ascertain the position of some point where the ground was more favourable, and then to adopt such a mode of extricating the carts and proceeding thither as circumstances permitted.  I took with me provisions for three days that I might explore the country, if necessary, to the coast.

BEAUTIFUL REGION DISCOVERED.

I had not proceeded above five miles southward when I perceived before me a ridge in bluey distance, rather an unusual object in that close country.  We soon after emerged from the wood and found that we were on a kind of tableland and, approaching a deep ravine coming from our right and terminating on a very fine-looking open country below, watered by a winding river.  We descended by a bold feature to the bottom of the ravine and found there a foaming little river hurrying downwards over rocks.  After fording this stream with ascended a very steep but grassy mountain-side, and on reaching a brow of high land, what a noble prospect appeared! a river winding amongst meadows that were fully a mile broad and green as an emerald.  Above them rose swelling hills of fantastic shapes, but all smooth and thickly covered with rich verdure.  Behind these were higher hills, all having grass on