‘January’ 19.—­Despite the watch kept over the horses, they got away during the night, and a late start was the consequence.  Several hours were also lost at the first mile on the journey, in consequence of some of the horses getting “upside down” in one of the deep narrow creeks, which were constantly recurring, and having to be extricated.  These creeks run N.W., and take their rise from springs.  They are so boggy that in some cases, though perhaps only eighteen inches wide, they had to be headed before the cattle could pass.  The summit of the range was reached in seven miles of similar country to that of yesterday, resembling (identical in fact) in appearance and botanical character, to the worst country of Botany Bay, the Surry Hills, and coast about Sydney.  A thick vine scrub was then passed, when the party emerged on to some open ridges of red sandy soil, timbered with bloodwood, stringy-bark, and nonda.  They were now satisfied that they were on eastern waters, as, whilst out sugar-bag hunting in the evening, the Brothers saw the blue waters of the ocean about twelve or fifteen miles to the eastward, a small arm of which was supposed to be a bay to the northward of Cape Grenville.  Their latitude was 11 degrees 46 minutes 36 seconds.  The camp was pitched at the head of a small creek running eastward.

‘January’ 20.—­After 4 miles of brushwood and scrubby range had been accomplished this morning, further progress was stopped by a dense pine and vine scrub stretching across the course.  The cattle were halted outside, whilst the Brothers made search for an opening for them to get through, in doing which they came on to a narrow track cut by the blacks.  This they followed for more than two miles, but were obliged to return at last, the vine ropes, tangle, and dense scrub, making it hopeless to attempt taking the cattle along it.  A further search proved equally unsuccessful.  The whole party had therefore to turn back along their tracks for a couple of miles, then turning east they travelled on that bearing.  At about half-a-mile they reached the eastern slope, from which the sea was distinctly visible.  A spur of the range was followed for about four miles into rather better country, where the party camped, being well-grassed and slightly timbered, though stoney.  Although about 9 miles were travelled over, the distance in latitude from the last camp could not have been more than one-and-a-half miles.  From a bluff on the range a fine view of the low country and sea was obtained, and a bearing taken to Cape Grenville of 117 deg.  Blacks’ tracks were very numerous to-day, and it was evident by the neat cutting of the marks on the trees that they were provided with good iron tomahawks.  Many turkeys’ nests were found, but the eggs only benefitted the stronger stomachs of the party, having young ones in them in most cases.  In crossing one of the boggy creeks, one of the horses jumped on to a pack-saddle, and a hook entering his skin lacerated it dreadfully.