Boladeree destroyed a native hut today very wantonly before we could prevent him.  On being asked why he did so, he answered that the inhabitants inland were bad; though no longer since than last night, when Bereewan had departed, they were loud in their praise.  But now they had reverted to their first opinion; so fickle and transient are their motives of love and hatred.

[Their general favourite term of reproach is ‘goninpatta’, which signifies ‘an eater of human excrement’.  Our language would admit a very concise and familiar translation.  They have, besides this, innumerable others which they often salute their enemies with.]

Wednesday, April 13th, 1791.  We did not set out this morning until past seven o’clock, when we continued to trace the creek.  The country which we passed through yesterday was good and desirable to what was now presented to us.  It was in general high and universally rocky.  ’Toiling our uncouth way’, we mounted a hill, and surveyed the contiguous country.  To the northward and eastward, the ground was still higher than that we were upon; but in a south-west direction we saw about four miles.  The view consisted of nothing but trees growing on precipices; not an acre of it could be cultivated.  Saw a tree on fire here, and several other vestiges of the natives.  To comprehend the reasons which induce an Indian to perform many of the offices of life is difficult; to pronounce that which could lead him to wander amidst these dreary wilds baffles penetration.  About two o’clock we reached the head of the creek, passed it and scrambled with infinite toil and difficulty to the top of a neighbouring mountain, whence we saw the adjacent country in almost every direction, for many miles.  I record with regret that this extended view presented not a single gleam of change which could encourage hope or stimulate industry, to attempt its culture.  We had, however, the satisfaction to discover plainly the object of our pursuit, Richmond Hill, distant about eight miles, in a contrary direction from what we had been proceeding upon.  It was readily known to those who had been up the Hawkesbury in the boats, by a remarkable cleft or notch which distinguishes it.  It was now determined that we should go back to the head of the creek and pass the night there; and in the morning cut across the country to that part of the river which we had first hit upon yesterday, and thence to trace upward, or to the left.  But before I descend, I must not forget to relate that to this pile of desolation on which, like the fallen angel on the top of Niphates, we stood contemplating our nether Eden, His Excellency was pleased to give the name of Tench’s Prospect Mount.