s to the movements of an expedition as a
too wet season would have been. Taking everything, therefore, into
consideration, I determined on leaving the party stationary, and on
crossing the Darling to the N.W., and, if any encouraging feature
presented itself, to return for the party, and persevere in an
examination of the distant interior. Such, at least, appeared to me the
most judicious plan: indeed, an attempt to have moved in any other
direction would have been fruitless. And, as the result of this journey
would be decisive, and would either fix or determine our advance or
retreat, I was anxious for Mr. Hume's attendance.

The natives followed to the camp, and in the course of the afternoon,
were joined by their women. The latter however, would not approach
nearer than the top of a little hillock on which they sat. The men did
not come round the tents, but stood in a row at a short distance. At
sunset, they gained a little courage, and wandered about a little more;
at length they went off to the Darling.

HONESTY OF A NATIVE.

It was quite dark, when I heard a native call from the hill on which
the women had been, and I desired Hopkinson to take his firelock and
ascertain what the man wanted. He soon after returned, and brought a
blanket, which he said the man had returned to him. The native was
alone, and when he offered the blanket, kept his spear poised in his
right hand; but, seeing that no violence was intended him, he lowered
his weapon, and walked away.

REWARD THE MAN FOR HIS CONDUCT.

I was extremely pleased at this trait of honesty, and determined to
reward it. On inquiry, I found that the men had availed themselves of
the day to wash their blankets and that one of them had been flung over
a bush hanging over the bank of the river, and it was supposed that one
of the natives must have pulled it down with him. In the morning, the
tribe went away from their encampment before day-light as we judged
from the cry of their dogs, than which nothing could be more
melancholy; but about eight, the men made their appearance on the hill
occupied by the women the evening previously, and seemed to be doubtful
whether to approach nearer. I went out to them, and, with a downward
motion of my hand, beckoned for them to come to me: they mistook the
signal, but laid all their spears on the ground, and it was not until
after the sign had been reversed that they stirred or moved towards me.
I then got them in a row, and