The noble steeds that almost took from us the control of their pace, as
we dashed over the bridge and up the hill in North Adelaide - it was a
heart-stirring and inspiriting scene. Carried away by the enthusiasm of
the moment, our thoughts and feelings were wrought to the highest state
of excitement.
The time passed rapidly away, the first few miles were soon travelled
over, - then came the halt, - the parting, - the last friendly cheer; - and
we were alone in the wilderness. Our hearts were too full for
conversation, and we wended on our way slowly and in silence to overtake
the advance party.
Chapter II.
FIRST NIGHT'S ENCAMPMENT WITH PARTY - REFLECTIONS - ARRIVAL AT SHEEP
STATION - RE-ARRANGEMENT OF LOADS - METHOD OF CARRYING FIRE-ARMS - COMPLETE
THE NUMBER OF THE PARTY - THEIR NAMES - MOVE ONWARDS - VALLEY OF THE
LIGHT - EXTENSIVE PLAINS - HEAD OF THE GILBERT - SCARCITY OF
FIREWOOD - GRASSY WELL-WATERED DISTRICTS - THE HILL AND HUTT
RIVERS - INDICATIONS OF CHANGE GOING ON IN APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER OF THE
COUNTRY, TRACEABLE IN THE REMAINS OF TIMBER IN THE PLAINS AND IN THE
OPENINGS AMONG SCRUBS - THE BROUGHTON - REEDY WATERCOURSE - CAMPBELL'S
RANGE - COURSE OF THE BROUGHTON.
June 18. - The party having left Adelaide late in the forenoon, and it
being the first day of working the horses, I did not wish to make a long
stage; having followed the usual road, therefore, as far as the little
Parra, the drays were halted upon that watercourse (after a journey of
about twelve miles), and we then proceeded to bivouac for the first time.
For the first time too since I had engaged to command the expedition, I
had leisure to reflect upon the prospects before me.
During the hurry and bustle of preparation, and in the enthusiasm of
departure, my mind was kept constantly on the stretch, and I had no time
for calm and cool consideration, but now that all was over and the
journey actually commenced, I was again able to collect my thoughts and
to turn my most serious and anxious attention to the duty I had
undertaken. The last few days had been so fraught with interest and
occupation, and the circumstances of our departure this morning, had been
so exciting, that when left to my own reflections, the whole appeared to
me more like a dream than a reality. The change was so great, the
contrast so striking. From the crowded drawing room of civilized life, I
had in a few hours been transferred to the solitude and silence of the
wilds, and from being but an unit in the mass of a large community, I had
suddenly become isolated with regard to the world, which, so far as I was
concerned, consisted now only of the few brave men who accompanied me,
and who were dependant for their very existence upon the energy and
perseverance and prudence with which I might conduct the task assigned to
me.
