article so well, and had loaded the drays so compactly
that I had no trouble, and little time was lost in
saddling the pack animals. At a quarter before
7 the party filed through the turnpike-gate, and thus
commenced its journey with the greatest regularity.
I have the scene, even at this distance of time, vividly
impressed upon my mind, and I have no doubt the kind
friend who was near me on the occasion, bears it as
strongly on his recollection. My servant Harris,
who had shared my wanderings and had continued in my
service for eighteen years, led the advance, with his
companion Hopkinson. Nearly abreast of them the
eccentric Fraser stalked along wholly lost in thought.
The two former had laid aside their military habits,
and had substituted the broad brimmed hat and the
bushman’s dress in their place, but it was impossible
to guess how Fraser intended to protect himself from
the heat or the damp, so little were his habiliments
suited for the occasion. He had his gun over
his shoulder, and his double shot belt as full as
it could be of shot, although there was not a chance
of his expending a grain during the day. Some
dogs Mr. Maxwell had kindly sent me followed close
at his heels, as if they knew his interest in them,
and they really seemed as if they were aware that
they were about to exchange their late confinement
for the freedom of the woods. The whole of these
formed a kind of advanced guard. At some distance
in the rear the drays moved slowly along, on one of
which rode the black boy mentioned in my former volume,
and behind them followed the pack animals. Robert
Harris, whom I had appointed to superintend the animals
generally, kept his place near the horses, and the
heavy Clayton, my carpenter, brought up the rear.
I shall not forget the interest Thomson appeared to
take in a scene that must certainly have been new
to him. Our progress was not checked by the occurrence
of a single accident, nor did I think it necessary
to remain with the men after we had gained that turn
which, at about four miles from Sydney, branches off
to the left, and leads direct to Liverpool. From
this Point my companion and I pushed forward, in order
to terminate a fifty miles’ ride a little sooner
than we should have done at the leisurely pace we
had kept during the early part of our journey.
We remained in Liverpool for a short time, to prepare
the commissariat office for the reception, and to
ensure the accommodation, of the party; and reached
Brownlow Hill a little after sunset.
Liverpool-Goulburn plains.
As I have already described the country on this line of road as far us Goulburn Plains, it will not be considered necessary that I should again notice its features with minuteness.
Wallandilly-Tyranna.