determined with the aid of that to get across, and directed Whitcombe to push the rope on top over the side wall. Then, though up to the neck in water, he managed to reach the side and the little notch in the wall, let go the rope and hold fast. He had no trouble in crossing over; being deep the water supported him, so that he could hold himself up with one finger. He got to the next rock with ease, and then scrambled into the bush, where he cut three long saplings, by the aid of which, and with the assistance of Lauper, Whitcombe managed to overcome that perilous descent, the least mistake in which would have meant almost instantaneous death.
The next day they came to a place where the river fell straight down over a high rock, spreading out broad and deep at the bottom. They scrambled on, but managed to advance in ten hours, with the hardest work, only about two hundred yards. The rain continuing, it was impossible to light a fire that night and their food by this time was sodden, sour and unpalatable. They slept close together to keep themselves warm, and Lauper noted that Whitcombe trembled very much. Three days later Lauper observed some splendid looking wash dirt and tried out two handfuls in the lid of the billy, getting the colour freely. He then tried more, obtaining in all two grains of fine gold, Whitcombe exclaiming, “That
