The Burdekin,
Which Has Befriended Us So Much By Its Direct Course And Constant Stream,
Already For More Than Two Degrees Of Latitude And Two Of Longitude, Has
Not Always Furnished Us With The Most Convenient Camps For Procuring
Water.
The banks generally formed steep slopes descending into a line of
hollows parallel to the river, and thickly covered
With a high stiff
grass; and then another steep bank covered with a thicket of drooping
tea-trees, rose at the water's edge; and, if the descent into the bed of
the river was more easy, the stream frequently was at the opposite side,
and we had to walk several hundred yards over a broad sheet of loose
sand, which filled our mocassins, when going to wash. At present, the
river is narrower, and I have chosen my camp twice on its dry sandy bed,
under the shade of Casuarinas and Melaleucas, the stream being there
comparatively easy of access, and not ten yards off. Many unpleasant
remarks had been made by my companions at my choice of camping places;
but, although I suffered as much inconvenience as they did, I bore it
cheerfully, feeling thankful to Providence for the pure stream of water
with which we were supplied every night. I had naturally a great
antipathy against comfort-hunting and gourmandizing, particularly on an
expedition like ours; on which we started with the full expectation of
suffering much privation, but which an Almighty Protector had not only
allowed us to escape hitherto, but had even supplied us frequently with
an abundance - in proof of which we all got stronger and improved in
health, although the continued riding had rather weakened our legs.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 230 of 524
Words from 61801 to 62082
of 141354
