Journals of Australian ExplorationsGregory, Augustus Charles
History
Journals of Australian Explorations
Gregory, Augustus Charles
Australia -- Discovery and exploration
BEAGLE VALLEY.
12th December.
Started at 5.30 a.m., and steered north 245 degrees east for one and a
half hours, when we passed the high bluff of the range and changed the
course north 330 degrees east, keeping three-quarters of a mile east of
the remarkable hill called the Tower, by Captain Stokes, from a
remarkable rock on the summit. The country was very rough and stony,
though the ridge we passed over was not more than 200 or 300 feet above
the river. Continuing a north-north-west course, at 9.45 reached the bank
of the Victoria, which was followed on a course of 200 degrees till
10.10, when a large creek joined the river; this creek drains nearly the
whole of Beagle Valley, and takes its rise in the north-west slope of
Stokes' Range. The course was then westerly till 12.15 p.m., when we
encamped in a grassy flat one-third of a mile from the river. Marked a
large adansonia tree 12 on its south side.
13th December.
Leaving our bivouac at 5.30 a.m., followed the valley of the river,
passing the ridge at back of Steep Head at 10.0., and halted at Timber
Creek at 11.0. The heavy rains which occurred in Beagle Valley do not
appear to have extended to this part of the country, and the grass is
still dry and withered. At 2.30 p.m. resumed our route and reached the
principal camp at 6.30, and found the party all well, except Richards,
who was still suffering severely from the injury to his wrist. Mr. Baines
was absent, having started on Wednesday in search of two horses which had
strayed to the westward.
BAINES' RIVER.
14th December.
Messrs. Baines and Bowman returned with the stray horses, having found
them on the bank of a small river fifteen miles to the west of the camp.
This river, which I named the Baines River, has considerable pools of
fresh water in its bed, which comes from the south-west, and flows into
the large salt-water creek above Curiosity Peak. On one occasion Messrs.
Baines and Bowman had halted to rest during the heat of the day, when
they observed some blacks creeping towards them in the high grass; but,
on finding they were observed, retired and soon returned openly with
augmented numbers and approached with their spears shipped; but Mr.
Baines and his companion having mounted their horses, galloped sharply
towards them, and the blacks retreated with great precipitation. Mr. H.
Gregory brought in the greater part of the horses; but as they had
scattered very much in search of green grass, many of the horses were ten
miles from the camp. Men employed cutting and carrying timber for the
repair of the schooner, which work is progressing satisfactorily;
computing astronomical observations.
15th December.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account