s 8 minutes at about 90 miles to the N.N.W. of
Mount Harris, and about an equal distance to the E.S.E. of where we
struck upon the last-mentioned river. Thus it is evident that the
Darling had considerably neared the eastern ranges, although it was
still more than 150 miles from their base. It was apparently coming
from the N.E., and whether it has its sources in the mountains behind
our distant settlements, or still farther to the northwards, is a
question of curious speculation, although, as I have already stated, I
am of opinion that none but tropical rains could supply the furious
torrent that must sometimes rage in it.

It would be presumptuous to hazard any opinion as to the nature of the
interior to the westward of that remarkable river. Its course is
involved in equal mystery, and it is a matter of equal doubt whether it
makes its way to the south coast, or ultimately exhausts itself in
feeding a succession of swamps, or falls into a large reservoir in the
centre of the island.

RETURN TO MOUNT HARRIS.

We reached Mount Harris on the 7th of the month, and moving leisurely
up the banks of the Macquarie, gained Mr. Palmer's first station on the
14th, and Wellington Valley on the 21st, having been absent from that
settlement four months and two weeks. The waters of the Macquarie had
diminished so much, that its bed was dry for more than half a mile at a
stretch, nor did we observe the least appearance of a current in it,
until after we had ascended the ranges. The lower tribes were actually
starving, and brought their children to us to implore something to eat.
The men attempted to surprise the camp, but I believe they were urged
from absolute necessity to procure subsistence for themselves, and that
they intended robbery rather than personal violence.

DEPLORABLE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.

We left the interior in a still more deplorable state than that in
which we found it; but it is more than probable that under other
circumstances, we should have found it impossible to traverse its
distant plains, as it is certain that unless rain fell in less than
three weeks, all communication with the Darling would have been cut off:

CHAPTER V.

General remarks--Result of the expedition--Previous anticipations--Mr.
Oxley's remarks--Character of the Rivers flowing westerly--Mr.
Cunningham's remarks--Fall of the Macquarie--Mr. Oxley's erroneous
conclusions respecting the character of the interior, naturally
inferr