I knew however where to find water that day; and we proceeded to the fine pond which I was so fortunate as to discover on the 24th ultimo after our horses had suffered thirst for three days and two nights.  Two young natives who had accompanied us for some days undertook to find water for a couple of journeys beyond this pond.  The men caught in this friendly pool several good cod-perch (Gristes peelii) a fish surpassing, in my opinion, all others in Australia.  As we crossed the plains this day I observed the natives eating a plant which grew in the hollows and we found it, when boiled, a very good vegetable.

BRANCHES OF THE LACHLAN.

May 2.

We pursued a course nearly west for seven miles, having the Lachlan on our left until we were stopped by a watercourse, or branch of the river, which crossed our intended route at rightangles.  Its banks were steep and the passage of our waggons was consequently a work of difficulty, but the best crossing place appeared to be just where it left the main channel.  Here accordingly we cut down the bank on each side with spades and filled up the soft lowest part of the hollow with stumps and branches of trees, and all of which being covered with earth from the sides, the carts were got safely across after about half an hour’s work.  We soon however came to another similar watercourse, but by the advice of the natives we followed it to the northward, and we found that at a short distance it branched into shallow hollows of polygonum which we traversed without delay or difficulty.  Soon after we had resumed our course by crossing these hollows, we came upon the main channel which very much resembled other parts of the Lachlan, only that it was smaller.

A NATIVE CAMP.

Piper’s gin came to tell us that there was water ahead, and that natives were there.  We accordingly approached with caution and having found two ponds of water we encamped beside them, the local name of the situation being Combedyega.

CHILDREN.

A fire was burning near the water and at it sat a black child about seven or eight years old, quite blind.  All the other natives had fled save one poor little girl still younger who, notwithstanding the appearance of such strange beings as we must have seemed to her, and the terror of those who fled, nevertheless lingered about the bushes and at length took her seat beside the blind boy.  A large supply of the balyan root lay near them, and a dog so lean as scarcely to be able to stand, drew his feeble body close up beside the two children as if desirous to defend them.  They formed indeed a miserable group, exhibiting nevertheless instances of affection and fidelity creditable both to the human and canine species.  An old man came up to the fire afterwards with other children.  He told us the name of the waterholes between that place and the Murrumbidgee, but he could not be prevailed on to be our guide.

A WIDOW JOINS THE PARTY AS GUIDE.