They found, upon coming ashore, that they had landed amidst dense mangrove-swamps, and for many hours had to cut their way through these scrubs, until they at last emerged into higher ground, which consisted of palm-tree scrubs, with a thick undergrowth of vines and rattan-cane.
The difficulty of getting their horses through this wilderness of trees was enormous, and when at length a suitable spot was found, they determined to rest a whole day to recruit themselves and their tired animals, and to repair the packs which carried their goods.
They, however, found time for hunting and fishing as well, and Tom said that it was the most sporting district that he had ever been into.
They caught numbers of fish—eels, bream, and a species of perch which ran up to twenty pounds’ weight and more, as far as they could guess.
In the palm-scrubs were quantities of scrub-turkeys, and another smaller species of bird somewhat resembling the domestic fowl, and, as they had no lack of powder, the camp was well supplied.
This river reminded Mat and the chief of the one they had crossed on their way south which was so full of crocodiles, but they saw none of these reptiles which fact Dromoora explained by saying that they did not often frequent mouths of rivers so near to the salt water.
But delightful as this camp proved, Mat was anxious to push on; so, after having enjoyed a thoroughly good spell, they crossed the river, and then kept a north-westerly direction, hugging the coast-line as much as the great mangrove scrubs and swamps would allow.
Three of our party being perfect scouts, and all being good bushmen, they were enabled to avoid anything like a near approach to strange natives, as they agreed that a collision with them would be most disastrous to all concerned.
At length, after many weeks of monotonous travelling, and after following a large river almost to its source, they entered on to a large salt-bush plain, which was bounded on the horizon by a range of hills terminating in a solitary mountain.
As soon as the big mountain was sighted the chief and his wife broke into a corroboree of joy, and Mat was as delighted as his two friends at seeing the termination of their journey within sight, for this mountain was situated in the Waigonda country. It was long before this range of hills, which had appeared comparatively near, was reached; but when they at length found themselves in their own country, Mat and his two friends went forward, the others forming a camp and guarding the horses, for our natives knew that they could never approach their tribe on these terrible-looking animals.