Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/537

to Western Port. After much delay a party was formed. Mr. Hovell who, as a sailor, was thought useful in taking observations, obtained leave to accompany Hume; and both of them had to find their own servants and horses, the government providing a tent, two tarpaulins, six pack-saddles, some clothing and ammunition. A glance at the map will show the nature of the country which lay before them, if they should attempt to steer straight to Western Port. On the 19th Oct. 1824 they arrived at the Murrumbidgee river. After crossing the deep gorge through which the Murrumbidgee runs near Yass, other rivers similarly winding under the base of steep mountains would have to be encountered; on the left Mount Kosciusko and kindred heights; on the right other mountain masses nearly as high; the backbone of the cordillera being contorted in many windings and twistings, and no straight course being practicable for man or beast. In such a country, observations, however correctly taken, could not have enabled the travellers to adhere to a given course; but it was soon found that Hovell could take no observations, his instruments being, he said, defective. It was well that Hume was able to guide the party without any observations but those which his eyes could make. Hovell endeavoured to induce the men to turn back; and as Hume had three men, and Hovell three, Hume could exercise no control over half of the party. As they journeyed they came in sight of the Snowy Mountains, and Hume bore westward to his right to skirt the mountain system which he deemed impassable by his party. Hovell proceeded straightforward, and his men were compelled to accompany him. Fortunately his heart failed him, and one of his men succeeded in discovering Hume's track (an easy matter when the native grasses, tall and unbrowsed upon, showed at a glance that travellers had bent them down in passing) and followed it to Hume's camp. The Hume or Murray river was named and crossed; the Mitta Mitta was reached. Hovell advised the men to go no further. The tarpaulin was all but worn out; how could they return when their only method of crossing these swollen rivers was by its means? Hume persisted, declaring that if the tarpaulin failed he would kill a bullock and make a boat of its hide rather than fail to reach