here visible as when we left it. A hope naturally arose to our minds,
that if it was unchanged in other respects, it might have lost the
saltness that rendered its waters unfit for use; but in this we were
disappointed--even its waters continued the same. As it was impossible
for us to cross the Darling, I determined on falling back upon our last
encampment, which was at a most Convenient distance, and of concerting
measures there for our future movements. Prior to doing so, however, I
rode to the junction of the Castlereagh with the Darling, accompanied
by Mr. Hume, a distance of about half a mile. Upon the point formed by
the two streams, there were a number of huts, and on the opposite bank
of the Darling, about twenty natives had collected. We called out to
them, but they would not join us.

At the junction, the Castlereagh, with whatever impetuosity it rushes
from its confinement, makes not apparently the least impression on the
Darling River. The latter seemed to loll on, totally heedless of such a
tributary.

CHAPTER IV.

Perplexity--Trait of honesty in the natives--Excursion on horseback
across the Darling--Forced to return--Desolating effects of the
drought--Retreat towards the colony--Connection between the Macquarie
and the Darling--Return up the banks of the Macquarie--Starving
condition of the natives.

On our return to the party, we found them surrounded by the natives,
who were looking with an eye of wonder on the cattle and horses. We
pointed out to them the direction in which we were going, and invited
them to visit us; and nothing appeared to astonish them so much as the
management of the team by a single man. We got back to our position
early, and again fixed ourselves upon it.

It now only remained for us to consider what we should do under
circumstances of certainly more than ordinary perplexity. We had
nothing to hope for from travelling in a southerly direction, while to
the E. and N.E., the state of the country was worse than that by which
we had penetrated to the Darling. It was evident, that the large creeks
joining the Castlereagh in that direction were dry, since the natives
not only intimated this to us, but it was unquestionable that they
themselves had deserted them, and had crowded to such places as still
contained a supply of water. Even in retreating, we could not hope to
retrace our steps. Experience had proved to us, that the dry state of
the interior was as injuriou