DAY 15
The next morning we all felt the effects of being exposed so long to the night air, and the great fatigue we had. After breakfast we walked up to a small rock, and, sitting down, viewed the scene around, and felt thankful that the little property we possessed was safe, for the injury caused by the dray's upsetting was trifling. Here as we sat we observed three persons winding among the trees in the valley on horseback. They proved to be a clergyman from Parramatta, another gentleman, and a servant. They spoke in rapture of the country from which they were returning. I now felt myself so ill from fatigue that I was forced to go into the tent and lie down. I fell asleep, and did not wake until the last dray came rumbling by me. Before commencing the journey again, which we did about one o'clock, I cannot help remarking on the extreme fatigue the men endured the preceding day without any refreshment from breakfast until their supper at eleven o'clock. One man in particular, who was the head driver of our cart, a Folkstone man, a countryman of our own, behaved uncommonly well when the dray overturned. Nothing saved the lives of the horses and our property but the stump of a tree by the roadside. It was suspended over an immense precipice. This man was the first who got on top, and, hanging by the ropes, laboured hard to lighten the dray. He, likewise, was one who went at night to bring down our provisions. Hawkins told him his conduct had been such that he should strongly recommend him to the commanding officer, which he has done, and in all probability he will either be made an overseer of a party, or have a ticket-of-leave given, so that he may work for himself, which is a reward given to them when their behaviour has been very good.
There are but few birds on the mountains, but their plumage is more beautiful than I ever beheld before. They are called "Blue Mountaineers." Then, with a green variety of parrots, which may be heard chattering in the trees, there are also birds called "Laughing Jackasses," which startled us the preceding evening just at sunset. They appeared to be all round us, making their horrid noise. It was the same at sunrise. I should say there never before was such a party of females without any protection for so many hours at the foot of the mountains. Had any snakes attacked us I fear we should have lost our lives, for none of us would have had the courage to kill them.
Our journey for five miles was very good. We now had reached Cox's River, which has a bridge over it, but a very steep bank to descend, and when there has been much rain on the mountains it is rendered impassable from its overflowing the bridge. Fortunately we got safe over. We had now reached the spot we had looked forward to from the time of leaving Emu as a place of rest, as here it is customary for all drivers of cattle and luggage to rest for a day or two, as there is good grass. We were all much fatigued. We pitched our tent in a field in front of the house, which was inhabited by a corporal and his wife. She was both clean and civil. Hearing of our coming, she had procured a bucket of milk, and never was anything more enjoyed.
In the evening, Mr. Lowe, a Chief Magistrate, arrived, a traveller like ourselves. He commenced his journey in the morning, but we remained.
