Precipitous pass.

I was thus obliged to continue to travel in a north-east direction for the remainder of the afternoon, when we found, at last, a passage over the marsh, but made vain attempts to cross the sandstone range in no less than four different places; the ponies were so weak and the route so precipitous that each time we were obliged to return.  At length we reached the watershed, from one side of which the streams ran down to Prince Regent’s River, and from the other to the Glenelg; the rocks on the south side were ancient sandstone resting on basalt, and on the opposite the basalt crept out, forming elevated hills.  This position was remarkable both in a geological and geographical point of view; and, the sandstone range over against us looking rather more accessible than it had previously done, I determined to halt here for the night and examine the country; but my resolution was scarcely formed ere such heavy storms of rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, came on as totally to prevent me from seeing to any distance or taking any bearings.

On entering the old red sandstone district again the parakeets became once more common, and the green ants reappeared.  These last seem to be solely confined to the sandstone, for I did not see one without its limits.

Ascent of the sandstone range.

March 23.

This morning we made a more fortunate effort to ascend the sandstone range which had yesterday so baffled our efforts; and having commenced the ascent at 6 A.M. reached the summit at 10, but the poor little ponies were dreadfully exhausted.  Having now established ourselves upon this narrow elevated tableland the next thing was to descend on the other side.  The prospect to the southward and eastward was not very cheering, for before we could make any further progress in either of those directions we had a perfect precipice to get down, at the foot of which lay a beautiful and verdant valley about three miles wide, diversified with wood and water; whilst a large cascade which could be seen falling in a dark forest on the other side added much to the scenery.  Beyond the valley rose again rocky sandstone ranges, but I knew that the width of these was inconsiderable.

Descent on the opposite side.

After a very tedious search we discovered a sort of pass leading diagonally down the face of the precipice; but before attempting to take the ponies over this it was necessary to move many large rocks and stones, to cut down trees, and otherwise make it practicable for them.  All hands however set cheerfully to work, and by 1 P.M. the whole party had safely reached the bottom of the precipice.  The valley that we were in was very fertile but, from the incessant rain which had lately fallen, the centre part of it had become an impassable swamp, and we were thus once more obliged to turn to the northward in order to travel round it:  but as rest and food were necessary both for horses and men we halted at the foot of the sandstone range for breakfast.