CHAPTER II.

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.

The expedition which traversed the marshes of the Macquarie, left Sydney on the 10th day of Nov. 1828.  That destined to follow the waters of the Morumbidgee, took its departure from the same capital on the 3rd of the same month in the ensuing year.  Rain had fallen in the interval, but not in such quantities as to lead to the apprehension that it had either influenced or swollen the western streams.  It was rather expected that the winter falls would facilitate the progress of the expedition, and it was hoped that, as the field of its operations would in all probability be considerably to the south of the parallel of Port Jackson, the extreme heat to which the party and the animals had been exposed on the former journey, would be less felt on the present occasion.

As there was no Government establishment to the S.W. at which I could effect any repairs, or recruit my supplies, as I had done at Wellington Valley, the expedition, when it left Sydney, was completed in every branch, and was so fully provided with every necessary implement and comfort, as to render any further aid, even had such been attainable, in a great measure unnecessary.  The Governor had watched over my preparations with a degree of anxiety that evidenced the interest he felt in the expedition, and his arrangements to ensure, as far as practicable, our being met on our return, in the event of our being in distress, were equally provident and satisfactory.  It was not, however, to the providing for our wants in the interior alone that His Excellency’s views were directed, but orders were given to hold a vessel in readiness, to be dispatched at a given time to St. Vincent’s Gulf, in case we should ultimately succeed in making the south coast in its neighbourhood.

Leave Sydney.

The morning on which I left Sydney a second time, under such doubtful circumstances, was perfectly serene and clear.  I found myself at 5 a.m. of that delightful morning leading my horses through the gates of those barracks whose precincts I might never again enter, and whose inmates I might never again behold assembled in military array.  Yet, although the chance of misfortune flashed across my mind, I was never lighter at heart, or more joyous in spirit.  It appeared to me that the stillness and harmony of nature influenced my feelings on the occasion, and my mind forgot the storms of life, as nature at that moment seemed to have forgotten the tempests that sometimes agitate her.