as affording time for the cattle to feed and rest, but this depended on
our finding water and grass. Daybreak was to be the signal for preparing
for the journey, and no time was allowed for breakfast, until after the
party had encamped for the day.

As we proceeded along the road leading to the pass in the Liverpool
range, Mr. White overtook us, having obtained an additional supply of
flour, tobacco, tea and sugar, with which Mr. Finch was to follow the
party as soon as he could procure the carts and bullocks necessary for
the carriage of these stores.

BURNING GRASS.

After travelling six hours, we encamped beside a small watercourse near
Mussel Brook, the thermometer at four P.M. being as high as 95 degrees.
In the evening, the burning grass became rather alarming, especially as
we had a small stock of ammunition in one of the carts. I had established
our camp to the windward of the burning grass, but I soon discovered that
the progress of the fire was against the wind, especially where the grass
was highest. This may appear strange, but it is easily accounted for. The
extremities of the stalks bending from the wind, are the first to catch
the flame, but as they become successively ignited, the fire runs
directly to the windward, which is toward the lower end of the spikes of
grass, and catching the extremities of other stalks still further in the
direction of the wind, it travels in a similar manner along them. We
managed to extinguish the burning grass before it reached our encampment,
but to prevent the invasion of such a dangerous enemy we took the
precaution, on other occasions, of burning a sufficient space around our
tents in situations where we were exposed to like inconvenience and
danger.