Completion of arrangements for embarkation.

It was impossible that I could do without Clayton, whose perseverance and industry had mainly contributed to the building of the boats; of the other prisoners, I chose Mulholland and Macnamee; leaving the rest in charge of Robert Harris, whose steady conduct had merited my approbation.  My servant, Harris, Hopkinson, and Fraser, of course, made up the crews.  The boats were loaded in the evening of Jan. 6th, as it had been necessary to give the paint a little time to dry.  On the 4th, I had sent Clayton and Mulholland to the nearest cypress range for a mast and spar, and on the evening of that day some blacks had visited us; but they sat on the bank of the river, preserving a most determined silence; and, at length, left us abruptly, and apparently in great ill humour.  In the disposition of the loads, I placed all the flour, the tea, and tobacco, in the whaleboat.  The meat-casks, still, and carpenters’ tools, were put into the small boat.

As soon as the different arrangements were completed, I collected the men, and told off those who were to accompany me.  I then gave the rest over in charge to Harris, and, in adverting to their regular conduct hitherto, trusted they would be equally careful while under his orders.  I then directed the last remaining sheep to be equally divided among us; and it was determined that, for fear of accidents, Harris should remain stationary for a week, at the expiration of which time, he would be at liberty to proceed to Goulburn Plains, there to receive his instructions from Sydney; while the boats were to proceed at an early hour of the morning down the river,—­whether ever to return again being a point of the greatest uncertainty.

CHAPTER IV.

Embarkation of the party in the boats, and voyage down the Morumbidgee—­ The skiff swamped by striking on a sunken tree—­Recovery of boat and its loading—­Region of reeds—­Dangers of the navigation—­Contraction of the channel—­Reach the junction of a large river—­Intercourse with the natives on its banks—­Character of the country below the junction of the rivers—­ Descent of a dangerous rapid—­Warlike demonstrations of a tribe of natives—­Unexpected deliverance from a conflict with them—­Junction of another river—­Give the name of the “Murray” to the principal stream.

The camp was a scene of bustle and confusion long before day-light.  The men whom I had selected to accompany me were in high spirits, and so eager to commence their labours that they had been unable to sleep, but busied themselves from the earliest dawn in packing up their various articles of clothing, &c.  We were prevented from taking our departure so early as I had intended, by rain that fell about six.  At a little after seven, however, the weather cleared up, the morning mists blew over our heads, and the sun struck upon us with his usual fervour.  As soon as the minor things were stowed away, we bade adieu to Harris and his party; and shortly after, embarked on the bosom of that stream along the banks of which we had journeyed for so many miles