uld certainly have been without it had we not taken this
precaution.

On the following day, we again passed to the eastward, through an open
country, having picturesque views of Oxley's Table Land. We crossed our
track about noon, and struck on the creek at about five miles beyond
it, and we were fortunate enough to procure both water and grass. The
timber upon the plains, between us and the Darling, we found to be a
rough gum, but box prevailed in the neighbourhood of the creek at this
part of it.

On the 14th, we changed our direction more to the southward, but made a
short journey, in consequence of being obliged to make some slight
repairs on the boat carriage.

REGAIN OUR OLD ROUTE.

On the 15th, we kept an E.S.E. course, and, crossing the creek at an
early hour, got upon our old track, which we kept. We had the lateral
ridge of the Pink Hills upon our right, and travelled through a good
deal of brush. Four or five natives joined us, and two followed us to
the end of our day's journey. In the course of the evening, they
endeavoured to pilfer whatever was in their reach, but were detected
putting a tin into a bush, and soon took to their heels. This was the
first instance we had of open theft among the natives of the interior.

We passed Mosquito Brush on the 18th, but found the ponds quite dry, we
were, therefore, under the necessity of pushing on, to shorten the next
day's journey, as we could not expect to get water nearer than the
marshes. At noon, on the 19th, we entered the plain, and once more saw
them spreading in dreariness before us. While the party was crossing to
the first channel, I rode to the left, in order to examine the
appearance of the country in the direction of the wood, and as far as I
skirted the reeds had my impressions confirmed as to their partial
extension. I was obliged, however, to join the men without completing
the circuit of the marshes. They had found the first channel dry, and
had passed on to the other, in which, fortunately, a small quantity of
water still remained. It was, however, so shallow as to expose the
backs of the fish in it, and a number of crows had congregated, and
were pecking at them. Wishing to satisfy my mind as to the distance to
which the river extended to the northward, Mr. Hume rode with me on the
following day, to examine the country in that direction, leaving the
men stationary. We found that the reeds gradually decreased in body,
until, at length, they