In our progress eastward we were still governed by the line of the Crawford; and the tortuous direction of the ravines connected with it required constant attention, while the very variable character of the swamps at the head of them was still more perplexing.  We succeeded in finding a passage between all this day also and, on again crossing a small mountain torrent by filling up the chasm with dead timber, we encamped after another journey of seven miles.  On our left to the northward lay a deep valley in which we found a broad sheet of water covered with ducks, the banks being soft and overgrown with reeds.  A considerable stream flowed westward from this lake through a narrow part of the valley, so that I concluded we were still on the principal branch of the Crawford.  Trees of large dimensions were abundant and the fallen timber impeded our progress even more than any unusual softness of the earth.

August 26.

After proceeding several miles without lett or hindrance, having successfully crossed some swampy rivulets all flowing to the left amidst thick scrubs, we at length arrived at a watercourse in which my horse went down, and which filled a very wide swampy bed enclosed by a thick growth of young mimosa trees, through which it was necessary to cut a passage wide enough for the carts.  The scrub having been thus cleared to the extent of about 100 yards with much labour, I found only then unfortunately that although the roots grew very closely, and that water flowed over the surface, the earth was withal so soft that I could at every point with ease push a stick five feet down without reaching any firm bottom.  The loose cattle were driven in, an experiment which until then we had tried with success in doubtful places, but they with difficulty got across this, for one of them sank and could not be extricated without considerable delay.  While the men were busily employed there I rode to the head of the swamp which extended about a mile to the southward.  On this swampy plain I at length succeeded in finding, with Mr. Stapylton’s assistance, a line of route likely to bear the carts and we passed safely in that direction, not one carriage having gone down.  While on this swampy surface we distinctly heard the breakers of the sea apparently at no great distance to the south-west, and I was convinced that the head of this swamp was about the highest ground immediately adjacent to Discovery Bay.  On travelling a mile and a half further we reached a small rivulet, the first we had crossed flowing to the south.  Beyond it the country appeared open and good, consisting of what is termed forest land with casuarinae and banksia growing upon it.

RECROSS THE RIFLE RANGE.