DAY 11
The men went in search of the cattle (they were obliged to be turned loose at night to get water and food), could not find them at all. After waiting some time, we thought it better to proceed, excepting one dray, which the overseer was to watch while his men sought the bullocks. As the road this day was something better, we got nine miles to two bark huts, which had been erected by the men employed in mending the roads, but were now empty. We were very glad to take possession of one, and our men of the other, as it rained all day. In England you never saw anything like these huts, and I fear from my description you will not understand them. Some stakes of trees are stuck in the ground, the outside bark from the trees is tied together, and to these with narrow strips of what is called stringy bark; being tough, it answers the purpose of cord, and the roof is done in the same manner. There was a kind of chimney but neither window nor door, but a space left to enter. As many men had been obliged to sleep here, all round were placed small stakes, and across and on the top were laid pieces of bark, so as to form a kind of broad shelf all round. Here we spread our beds. Mother and I soon found it was impossible to get any rest from the bugs and fleas. Helen and Louisa were laid head and foot. Finding them restless, we looked, and found, poor things, that from some of the pieces of bark not being close to the outside, they had tumbled through, and, being suspended by their arms, we had some difficulty to drag them up.
DAY 12
The next morning another overseer came to us from Emu to say the bullocks had again reached home, but would be sent to the dray with two more to assist us. We were obliged to wait that day at the huts for its arrival, and now Mr. Riley, a person who had acted as assistant to the former storekeeper at Bathurst, and who had left Emu with us. . . two young horses belonging to Government, which he was to take to Bathurst, both of which got away from him, and could not be found. He had likewise lost his bridle, but declared he would hasten on and get the commandant to send us some assistance. With a piece of rope round his horse's face, and slips of sheepskin tied to it for a bridle, and a merry heart, he left us. Another night was forced to be passed in the hut without rest.
DAY 13
The next morning was fine, and we again ascended the cart. This day we accomplished nine miles, much in the same way as before.
