On the 7th a south wind
made the barometer rise to 30 degrees 180 minutes, and with it despair
once more stared us in the face, for with the wind in that quarter there
was no hope of rain. On the 8th it still blew heavily from the south, and
the barometer rose to 30 degrees 200 minutes; but the evening was calm
and frosty, and the sky without a cloud. I may be wearying my reader, by
entering thus into the particulars of every change that took place in the
weather at this, to us, intensely anxious period, but he must excuse me;
my narrative may appear dull, and should not have been intruded on the
notice of the public, had I not been influenced by a sense of duty to all
concerned.
No one but those who were with me at that trying time and in that fearful
solitude, can form an idea of our feelings. To continue then, on the
morning of the 9th it again blew fresh from the south, the sky was
cloudless even in the direction of Mount Serle, and all appearance of
rain had passed away.
On the 10th, to give a change to the current of my thoughts, and for
exercise, I walked down the Depot creek with Mr. Browne, and turning
northwards up the main branch when we reached the junction of the two
creeks, we continued our ramble for two or three miles. I know not why it
was, that, on this occasion more than any other, we should have
contemplated the scene around us, unless it was that the peculiar
tranquillity of the moment made a greater impression on our minds.
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