HODGSON AND CALEB - MEET FRIENDLY NATIVES - NATIVE TOMB - THE DAWSON - VERVAIN PLAINS - GILBERT'S RANGE - LYND'S RANGE - ROBINSON'S CREEK - MURPHY'S LAKE - MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY - EXPEDITION RANGE - MOUNT NICHOLSON - ALDIS'S PEAK - THE BOYD.

Nov. 3.

- For the past week, the heat was very oppressive during the day, whilst, at night, it was often exceedingly cold; for two or three hours before dawn, and for an hour after sunset, it was generally delightful, particularly within the influence of a cheerful cypress-pine fire, which perfumes the air with the sweet scent of the burning resin.

It had now become painfully evident to me that I had been too sanguine in my calculations, as to our finding a sufficiency of game to furnish my party with animal food, and that the want of it was impairing our strength. We had also been compelled to use our flour to a greater extent than I wished; and I saw clearly that my party, which I had reluctantly increased on my arrival at Moreton Bay, was too large for our provisions. I, therefore, communicated to my companions the absolute necessity of reducing our number: all, however, appeared equally desirous to continue the journey; and it was, therefore, but just that those who had joined last, should leave. Mr. Gilbert, however, who would, under this arrangement, have had to retire, found a substitute in Mr. Hodgson, who had perhaps suffered most by additional fatigues; so that he and Caleb, the American negro, prepared for their return to Moreton Bay.

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