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

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HAMILTON HUMK. DISCOVERIES. 509 Western Port, After much dela}^ a ptu'ty was formed. Ml", 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 horsea, the governinent 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 Mm-rumbidgee river. After eroBsing the deep gorge through which the MmTumbidgee 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 iieights ; on the right other mountain masses nearly as high ; the backbone of the cordillera being contorted in many w-indings 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 i it was soon found that Hovell could take no observations, his instruments bemg, he said, defective. It was well that Hume was able to guide the party without any observations but those W'hich 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 I^Iountains, and Hume bore westw^ard to his right to skirt the mountain system which he deemed impass- able by his party. Hovell proceeded straightforward, and his men w^ere compelled to accompany him. Fortunately his heart failed him, and one of his men succeeded in dis- covering Hume's track (an easy matter when the native grasses, tall and unhrowsed 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 w^orn out ; how could they return when their only method of crossing these swollen rivers was b}^ its means? Hume persisted, declaring that if the tarpaulm failed he would kill a bullock and make a boat of its hide rather tWit'ai.<^T^^kRN2i.