South Of The Staaten, We
Travelled Over A Forest Country, Similar To That Of Former Stages, And
Which Might Be Aptly Distinguished By The Name Of Grevillea Forest; As
Gr.
Mimosoides (R. Br.) is its characteristic feature; though a rather
stunted stiff-leaved tea-tree was more numerous.
Some slight rises were
covered with thickets of the Acacia of Expedition Range. The last six or
seven miles of our stage were over an immense box-flat. We passed many
spots lately burnt by the natives, and saw the smoke of their fires in
every direction. We encamped on a good sized creek, on which grew the
articulate podded Acacia, the Mangrove Myrtle (Stravadium), and the
drooping tea-tree. As soon as we had pitched our tents, we cut up the
hind quarters of the emu into slices for drying; but we had to guard it
by turns, whip in hand, from a host of square-tailed kites (Milvus
isiurus).
John Murphy and Charley, whilst riding round the camp to ascertain if
natives were in the neighbourhood, came on one of their camps occupied
chiefly by women, and a few old men, who immediately ran off, but set the
grass on fire as they went, to prevent the approach of the horsemen; and
left behind them their waddies, spears, and a good supply of potatoes. At
dusk, when Charley brought in the horses, two of which we tethered near
the camp, the form of a native glided like a ghost into our camp, and
walked directly up to the fire.
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