Breakfasted at 6 o'clock this morning, and set out for the Natai Mountains at 7 --, arrive on the farthest Verge of the Table Land of the Natai Mountains at Half past 9 o'clock -- dis[tan]ce. by measurement of the Perambulator 8 1/4 miles. -- From this Table Land we had a fine view of a very deep Ravine or Glen below us -- which leads to the Natai River; -- the mountains on either side being an immense Height from the Bottom -- not less than 8 or 900 Feet High. -- We proceeded on Horseback by a circuitous route to this Glen for 2 1/2 miles through very intricate thick Forest and Brush, at the termination of which we arrived at the Top of a very deep rocky gulley -- which in many places appeared to be almost perpendicular -- and down which it was impossible to go on Horseback. -- There being, however, no other way of going to the Natai River, we determined to leave our Horses at the top of this deep gulley (-- called by our guide "Brimstone Gulley" --) and to descend on foot, guided by Warbey and the Native "Boodbury"! Mr. Hassall not liking the appearance of the rugged Descent, preferred remaining at the Top of the Gulley with the Servants and Horses. -- The rest of the Party and myself commenced to descend at 2 past 10, and after a most tiresome scrambling walk reached the Right Bank of the River Natai at 50 minutes past 11 o'clock, being one Hour and 20 minutes in getting thither -- the distance by computation from the Top of the Gulley to the River being 3 1/4 miles. -- We were all very much fatigued by the time we got to the River and therefore rested there for an Hour, where we had each a Glass of Cherry Brandy and a Biscuit to refresh us; Major Antill having carried with him a Pint Bottle of this good stuff.
The Natai River is here about the Size of George's River -- about ten yards in breadth -- and is a very pretty stream; having fine open Forest Land on the Left or opposite Bank of it, and which sort of Land continues for Nine Miles along its Banks until this River unites with the Warragombie, by the account given of it to us by our guide John Warbey. -- At Ten minutes before 1 p.m. set out from the Natai River on our Return, and after a most fatiguing tiresome scrambling walk of 1 Hour and 25 minutes, arrived at the Top of this tremendous Gulley, where we found Mr. Hassall, our Servants, and Horses impatiently waiting our return. -- From the near resemblance between them, I have named this Stupendous Valley or Ravine "Glencoe".

After getting back to the TableLand of the Natai Mountains, we proceeded on our return to Camp by a different Route to that we came by from thence; travelling back by a more Northern Track, and passing through some very fine grazing country tollerably well watered, but were much surprised to meet so few of the Wild Cattle during our Excursion outwards and Homewards; seldom meeting with a larger Herd than 10 or 12 Head, and those principally Bulls. -- We reached our Camp at 2 past 5 o'clock; having travelled this day only 30 miles. ---

I learned this Evening on my return to Camp for the first time that my Greyhound Dog Oscar had been hurt severely Hunting a Kangaroo two days since at Mattalling, when taken out from thence on Tuesday morning by the Cook and Jack Moore along with Dennison the Guide to hunt in that Forest. I was very angry at their taking so daring a liberty. -- I ordered the poor Animal to be taken particular care of, and to be carried in one of the Carts till he recovers. ---

4 October 1815 | 6 October 1815