EVANS'S FIRST JOURNAL: JOURNEY TO THE BATHURST PLAINS
Wednesday, 15th.
Our Road is very rugged and the hills increase in size, but covered with fine Grass; I was upon a very high one but cannot determine their end; from the S. to W. they are stupenduous, the only open Country to be observed is from N.W. to E. these hills surpass any grazing track on the East side of the Mountains; in the Valleys the Grass is long and thick, which makes it fatiguing to pass over them; I begin to think of returning; the Dogs not being good there is no certainty of obtaining Skins for our feet, the grass has cut our shoes to pieces. Pampoosers ware out in a few hours, particularly when wet with the Morning Dew. No. 8 sample found where we Halt.
distance, 7 Miles.
Thursday, 16th.
I made up my mind to return in the Morning, seeing no hopes of approaching the end of the high Range of Hills; I would most willingly proceed farther, but the Horses backs being so bad; nor can you have an Idea of the situation we are in with respect to our feet; with patching and mending we may manage to reach home.
I am now 98½ measured Miles from the limitation of Mr. Blaxland's excurtion; most part of the distance is through a finer Country than I can describe, not being able for want of Language to dwell on the subject, or explain its real and good appearance with Pen and Ink, but assure you there is no deception in it. I feel satisfied within myself and am happy I can meet your Excellency to say I have done my utmost in endeavouring to accomplish your wish, and that I have succeeded in passing over a Beautiful Country, and make no doubt but that to the Westward of these hills there may be a part equal to it; also beg leave to say I shall be happy and ready to go on at any future time to attempt a Journey to the Western coast, which I think this river leads to; it is a rapid Stream in the Winter Seasons, is of great width there being two Banks.
The Hollow, which I imagine from the hills to be its course, bears North of West. I conceive it strange we have not fell in with the Natives; they are near about us as we find late traces of them; I think they are watching us, but are afraid and keep at some distance. Papers No. 9 & 10.
distance, 6 miles.
Friday, 17th.
One of the Men being sick prevented our returning; therefore went with a party a few Miles farther, and returned in the Evening; the high lands are as before described, the corners are particularly good; what I name corners are spaces of Ground of 3 or 400 Acres with grass growing within them that you can scarce walk through; the ground is strong and good with ponds of water which lead to the River; but when within a ¼ of a Mile or so of it the course becomes a Rocky gully, and so steep between the hills, that no person would suspect such places were up them:—it is one Month this day since we crossed the Nepean; (I found more samples which are dated).
Saturday, 18th.
We departed for our Journey homewards, keeping as far from the River as we conveniently could, and find the feed for Stock exceeding good; the farther back among these hills the better it is; the Valleys are beautiful, as also the intervening ridges that divide them, being thickly covered with herbage; Grazers may keep stock here to great advantage, particularly sheep, as they like dry healthy parts.
Sunday, 19th.
I intended to have gone on today but the Morning turned out wet; indeed it was so most of the Night; we could keep ourselves dry here is the reason for not removing, and which I was glad of as it turned out a shocking stormy afternoon.
Monday, 20th.
I did not depart very early, the weather was much against us but managed to reach the Pine hill by Evening where we halted.
Tuesday, 21st.
Fine weather very warm; halted at the commencement of Bathurst Plains early, as I was desirous to examine this part; I ascended Mount Pleasant, the West end led me on a Ridge of Beautiful hills, along which I travelled about 3 Miles, a small stream of Water forming ponds run at their foot; I was gratified with a pleasing sight of an open Country to the S.W. of them; at the space of 7 or 8 Miles I could discern the Course of a River winding to the West; I saw three or four large Plains; the first of them I was on, the Chain of Ponds before mentioned running through it; I feel much regret I am not able to Travel a week or more in that direction; I imagine the flat open Country extends 30 or 40 Miles; at the termination I can only discern one Mountain Quite Pale with three Peaks; I suspected an open Country lay about the S.W. point, as I passed, the Range of hills then obscured it from me, nor had I time to examine it; I cannot speak too much of the Country, the increase of Stock for some 100 Years cannot overrun it; the Grass is so good and intermixed with variety of herbs. Emu's and Geese are numerous, but cannot get any; we counted 41 Emu's this day; our dogs will not follow them. Returning we saw smoke on the North side of the River, at Sun sett as we were fishing I saw some Natives coming down the Plain; they did not see us untill we surprized them: there was only two Women and four Children, the poor Creatures trembled and fell down with fright; I think they were coming for Water; I gave them what Fish we had, some fish Hooks, Twine and a Tomahawk, they appeared glad to get from us; two Boys ran away; the other small Children cried much at first; a little while after I played with them, they began to be good humoured and laugh, both of the Women were blind of their Right Eye.
