e of the low lands, a movement such as I
had contemplated would be impracticable, he returned home. I do myself
the honour, therefore, to report to you, for His Excellency's
information, that I shall proceed on Saturday next in a N.E. direction
towards the Castlereagh, intending to trace that river down, and
afterwards to penetrate as far to the northward and westward as
possible; it being my wish to get into the country north of the more
distant river, where I have expectations that there is an extensive and
valuable track of country, but that in failure of the above, I shall
examine the low country behind our N.W. boundaries, if I can find a
sufficiency of water to enable me to do so.

I am to inform you that in this neighbourhood the Macquarie has ceased
to flow, and that it is now a chain of shallow ponds. The water is fast
diminishing in it, and unless rain descends in a few weeks it will be
perfectly dry.

I am also to report, that the natives attempted the camp with the
supplies before my arrival at Mount Harris, but that on the soldier
with the party firing a shot, after they had thrown a stone and other
of the weapons, they fled. It was in consequence of their fires, which
I saw at a distance of forty miles, and which they never make on so
extensive a scale, except as signals when they want to collect, and are
inclined to be mischievous, that I made forced marches up, and I am led
to believe my arrival was very opportune. The natives have visited us
since, and I do not think they will now attempt to molest either party
when we separate.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient and most humble servant,
CHARLES STURT,
Capt. 39th Regt.

THE HON. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

END OF VOLUME I

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Southern Australia, Volume I, by Charles Sturt

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