Two Expeditions into the Interior of Southern Australia — Volume 2

From the opening

Commencement of the expedition in November, 1829.--Joined by Mr. George M'Leay--Appearance of the party--Breadalbane Plains--Hospitality of Mr. O'Brien--Yass Plains--Hill of Pouni--Path of a hurricane--Character of the country between Underaliga and the Morumbidgee--Appearance of that river--Junction of the Dumot with it--Crossing and recrossing--Geological character and general aspect of the country--Plain of Pondebadgery--Few natives seen.

Character of the Morumbidgee where it issues from the hilly country--Appearance of approach to swamps--Hamilton Plains--Intercourse with the natives--Their appearance, customs, &c.--Change in the character of the river--Mirage--Dreariness of the country--Ride towards the Lachlan river--Two boats built and launched on the Morumbidgee; and the drays, with part of the men sent back to Goulburn Plains.

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.

Character of the country--Damage of provisions--Adroitness of the natives in catching fish--The skiff broken up--Stream from the North-East supposed to be the Darling--Change of country in descending the river--Intercourse with the natives--Prevalence of loathsome diseases among them--Apparent populousness of the country--Junction of several small streams--The Rufus, the Lindesay, &c.--Rainy and tempestuous weather--Curious appearance of the banks--Troublesomeness of the natives--Inhospitable and desolate aspect of the country--Condition of the men--Change in the geological character of the country--The river passes through a valley among hills.

Improvement in the aspect of the country--Increase of the river--Strong westerly gales--Chronometer broken--A healthier tribe of natives--Termination of the Murray in a large lake--Its extent and environs--Passage across it--Hostile appearance of the natives--Beautiful scenery--Channel from the lake to the sea at Encounter Bay--Reach the beach--Large flocks of water fowl--Curious refraction--State of provisions--Embarrassing situation--Inspection of the channel to the ocean--Weak condition of the men--Difficulties of the return.

A short sample. Read the whole book

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