Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia | Page 3

two years. Others considered the undertaking
exceedingly dangerous, and even the conception of it madness on my
part; and the consequence of a blind enthusiasm, nourished either by a
deep devotion to science, or by an unreasonable craving for fame:
whilst others did not feel themselves justified in assisting a man who
they considered was setting out with an intention of committing suicide.
I was not, however, blind as to the difficulties of the journey which I
was determined to undertake; on the contrary, and I hope my readers
will believe me to be sincere, I thought they would be many and
great--greater indeed than they eventually proved to be; but, during my
recent excursions through the Squatting districts, I had so accustomed
myself to a comparatively wild life, and had so closely observed the
habits of the aborigines, that I felt assured that the only real difficulties
which I could meet with would be of a local character. And I was
satisfied that, by cautiously proceeding, and always reconnoitring in
advance or on either side of our course, I should be able to conduct my
party through a grassy and well watered route; and, if I were so
fortunate as to effect this, I felt assured that the journey, once
commenced, would be finished only by our arrival at Port Essington.
Buoyed up by this feeling, and by confidence in myself, I prevailed
against the solicitations and arguments of my friends, and commenced
my preparations, which, so far as my own slender means and the
contributions of kind friends allowed, were rather hurriedly completed
by the 13th August, 1844.
As our movements were to be comparatively in light marching order,
our preparations were confined more to such provisions and stores as
were actually necessary, than to anything else. But I had frequently
reason to regret that I was not better furnished with instruments,
particularly Barometers, or a boiling water apparatus, to ascertain the
elevation of the country and ranges we had to travel over. The only

instruments which I carried, were a Sextant and Artificial Horizon, a
Chronometer, a hand Kater's Compass, a small Thermometer, and
Arrowsmith's Map of the Continent of New Holland.
In arranging the plan of my journey I had limited my party to six
individuals; and although many young men volunteered their services, I
was obliged to decline their offers, and confine myself to the stated
number, as it was intimately connected with the principles and the
means on which I started.
On leaving Sydney, my companions consisted of Mr. James Calvert;
Mr. John Roper; John Murphy, a lad of about 16 years old: of William
Phillips, a prisoner of the Crown; and of "Harry Brown," an aboriginal
of the Newcastle tribe: making with myself six individuals.
We left Sydney, on the night of the 13th August, for Moreton Bay, in
the steamer "Sovereign," Captain Cape; and I have much pleasure in
recording and thankfully acknowledging the liberality and disinterested
kindness of the Hunter's River Steam Navigation Company, in allowing
me a free passage for my party with our luggage and thirteen horses.
The passage was unusually long, and, instead of arriving at Brisbane in
three days, we were at sea a week, so that my horses suffered much for
food and water, and became discouragingly poor. On arriving at
Brisbane, we were received with the greatest kindness by my friends
the "Squatters," a class principally composed of young men of good
education, gentlemanly habits, and high principles, and whose
unbounded hospitality and friendly assistance I had previously
experienced during my former travels through the district. These
gentlemen and the inhabitants of Brisbane overloaded me with kind
contributions, much of which, however, to avoid any unnecessary
increase to my luggage, I found myself compelled to decline or leave
behind; so that I had to forego the advantage of many useful and
desirable articles, from their being too cumbersome for my limited
means of carriage, and therefore interfering with the arrangements for
my undertaking.
My means, however, had since my arrival been so much increased, that
I was after much reluctance prevailed upon to make one change,--to
increase my party; and the following persons were added to the
expedition:--Mr. Pemberton Hodgson, a resident of the district; Mr.
Gilbert; Caleb, an American negro; and "Charley," an aboriginal native

of the Bathurst tribe. Mr. Hodgson was so desirous of accompanying
me that, in consideration of former obligations, I could not refuse him,
and, as he was fond of Botanical pursuits, I thought he might be useful.
Of Mr. Gilbert I knew nothing; he was in the service of Mr. Gould, the
talented Zoologist who has added so much to our knowledge of the
Fauna of Australia, and expressed himself so anxious for an
opportunity of making important observations as to