too. I made him promises of nightly grog, and held out the chances of
finding gold. I said nothing about the main range, for I knew it would
frighten him. I would get him as far up our own river as I could, and
trace it if possible to its source. I would then either go on by myself,
if I felt my courage equal to the attempt, or return with Chowbok. So,
as soon as ever shearing was over and the wool sent off, I asked leave of
absence, and obtained it. Also, I bought an old pack-horse and
pack-saddle, so that I might take plenty of provisions, and blankets, and
a small tent. I was to ride and find fords over the river; Chowbok was
to follow and lead the pack-horse, which would also carry him over the
fords. My master let me have tea and sugar, ship's biscuits, tobacco,
and salt mutton, with two or three bottles of good brandy; for, as the
wool was now sent down, abundance of provisions would come up with the
empty drays.

Everything being now ready, all the hands on the station turned out to
see us off, and we started on our journey, not very long after the summer
solstice of 1870.




CHAPTER III: UP THE RIVER


The first day we had an easy time, following up the great flats by the
river side, which had already been twice burned, so that there was no
dense undergrowth to check us, though the ground was often rough, and we
had to go a good deal upon the river-bed. Towards nightfall we had made
a matter of some five-and-twenty miles, and camped at the point where the