CHAPTER V.

Native women—­sudden squall—­journey to the eastward—­view from mount
Lyell—­increased temperature—­Mr. Poole’s return—­his report—­leave
Flood’s creek—­entangled in the pine forest—­drive the cattle to
water—­extricate the party—­state of the men—­Mr. Poole and Mr. Browne
leave the camp—­proceed northwards—­Capt.  Sturt leaves for the
north—­rapid disappearance of water—­muddy creek—­geological
formation—­gypsum—­push on to the ranges—­return to the creek—­again
ascend the ranges—­find water beyond them—­proceed to the W.N.W.—­Return
to the ranges—­ants and flies—­turn to the eastward—­no water—­return to
the camp—­Mr. Poole finds water—­Mack’s adventure with the natives—­move
the camp.

I was much surprised that the country was not better inhabited than it appeared to be; for however unfit for civilized man, it seemed a most desirable one for the savage, for there was no want of game of the larger kind, as emus and kangaroos, whilst in every tree and bush there was a nest of some kind or other, and a variety of vegetable productions of which these rude people are fond.  Yet we saw not more than six or seven natives during our stay in the neighbourhood of Flood’s Creek.

One morning some of the men had been to the eastward after the cattle, and on their return informed me that they had seen four natives at a distance.  On hearing this I ordered my horse to be saddled, with the intention of going after them; but just at that moment Tampawang called out that there were three blacks crossing from the flats, to the eastward, I therefore told him to follow me, and started after them on foot.  The ground was very stony, so that the poor creatures, though dreadfully alarmed, could not get over it, and we rapidly gained upon them.  At last, seeing there was no escape, one of them stopped, who proved to be an old woman with two younger companions.  I explained to her when she got calm, for at first she was greatly frightened, that my camp was on the creek, and I wanted the blackfellows to come and see me; and taking Tampawang’s knife, which hung by a string round his neck, I shewed the old lady the use of it, and putting the string over her head,