rrest determined to
utilise the remainder of the time at his disposal by examining the
country as far to the eastward as his resources would permit. It was now
clear that the story of the white men's remains had originated in the
skeletons of the horses that perished during Austin's trip. No matter how
circumstantial might be a narration of the blacks, they invariably
contradicted themselves the next time they were interrogated, and it was
evident that no useful purpose would be served by following them on a
foolish errand from place to place. Forrest therefore penetrated some
distance east, but was not encouraged by the discovery of any useful
country. Nevertheless, he started on a solitary expedition ahead, taking
only one black boy and provisions for seven days. He reached a point one
hundred miles beyond the camp of the main body, to the eastward of Mount
Margaret on the present goldfields. He ascended the highest tree he could
find, and found the outlook was dreary and desolate. The country was
certainly slightly more open than that hitherto traversed, but it was
covered with spinifex, interspersed with an occasional stunted gum-tree.
Rough sandstone cliffs were visible about six miles to the north-east,
and more to the north appeared a narrow line of samphire flats with gum
trees and cypress growing on their edges. Of surface water there was no
appearance.

On his homeward route Forrest kept a more northerly and westerly course,
and crossed Lake Barlee and examined the northern shore; but he found
nothing to induce him to modify the unfavourable opinion pronounced on
the country by other explorers. He returned to Perth on the 6th August.

Forrest was next placed at the head of an expedition which was to cross
to Adelaide by way of the shores of the Great Australian Bight, along the
same ill-omened route followed by Eyre, and never trodden since his
remarkable journey. This time the historic cliffs were to be traversed
with but slight privation and no bloodshed. Though the information
supplied by Eyre was considered to be thoroughly trustworthy, it was
recognized that with the scanty means of observation at his command and
his famished condition, a few important facts might have escaped his
notice, and that if his route were followed by a well-equipped party, the
terrors of the region might assume less gigantic proportions.

Forrest's company was to consist of the leader and his brother Alexander,
two white men,