ARRIVAL AT, AND PASSAGE OF, THE GOULBURN.

On returning to the party we crossed the channel of the Deegay; but at less than a mile further we were obliged to pass again to the right bank at a point where its course tended northward.  Soon after recrossing it we met with a broad dry channel or lagoon, with lofty gum trees of the yarra species on its borders, a proof that the river was at hand; and on advancing three-quarters of a mile further we made the bank of the Goulburn or Hovell, a fine river somewhat larger than the Murrumbidgee.* Its banks and bed were firm; the breadth 60 yards; the mean depth as ascertained by soundings being somewhat more there than two fathoms.  The velocity was at the rate of 100 yards in three minutes, or one mile and 240 yards per hour; the temperature of the water 54 degrees Fahrenheit.  After having ascertained that this river was nowhere fordable at that time I sought an eligible place for swimming the cattle and horses across and immediately launched the boat.  All the animals reached the opposite bank in safety; and by the evening every part of our equipment except the boat-carriage was also across.

(Footnote.  This river has been unfortunate in obtaining a variety of names and therefore less objection can be made to my preference of the aboriginal which I ascertained through Piper to be Bayunga.  We already have a river Goulburn in New South Wales.)

FISH CAUGHT.

In this river we caught one or two very fine cod-perch, our old friends
Gristes peelii.

CHAPTER 3.13.

Continue through a level forest country. 
Ascend a height near the camp, and obtain a sight of snowy summits to the
eastward. 
Reach a swampy river. 
A man drowned. 
Pass through Futter’s range. 
Impeded by a swamp among reeds. 
Junction of the rivers Ovens and King. 
Ascend granitic ranges. 
Lofty mass named Mount Aberdeen. 
Reach the Murray. 
The river very difficult of access. 
A carriage track discovered. 
Passage of the river. 
Cattle. 
Horses. 
Party returning to meet Mr. Stapylton. 
A creek terminating in a swamp. 
Mount Trafalgar. 
Rugged country still before us. 
Provisions nearly exhausted. 
Cattle tracks found. 
At length reach a valley leading in the desired direction. 
Cattle seen. 
Obliged to kill one of our working bullocks. 
By following the valley downwards, we arrive on the Murrumbidgee. 
Write my despatch. 
Piper meets his friends. 
Native names of rivers.

CONTINUE THROUGH A LEVEL FOREST COUNTRY.

October 9.