ndoned, I could only await further instructions from the
Government at home, and in the meantime resolved to employ the interval
in some scheme of exploration from the Swan which did not present the
same obstacles. Having again consulted Sir James Stirling, it was first
arranged that I should endeavour to explore overland in the direction of
Shark Bay; but this was soon abandoned on account of the difficulty of
procuring horses; and, to enable me to attempt this scheme with any hope
of success, I should consequently be obliged to incur a much greater
expense than I felt warranted in doing.

The same objection did not however exist to the plan of exploring the
coast towards Shark Bay in boats; and I imagined, if I could obtain two
good ones qualified for the purpose, that I might at a small expense have
some chance of making a successful trip. But there still existed a
difficulty in getting boats which occasioned a further delay.

Sir James Stirling had now (January 1839) quitted the colony, having been
succeeded in the government by John Hutt, Esquire, and, as no immediate
prospect was apparent of accomplishing my present design, I readily
acceded to a request made to me which led to another excursion to the
southward of Perth, the principal circumstances of which are narrated in
the following short journal.

EXCURSION IN SEARCH OF MR. ELLIOTT. CAUSE OF IT.

In consequence of a conversation I had with his Excellency the Governor
on the morning of the 8th of January I received, in the afternoon of that
day, a letter from the Colonial Secretary stating that:

From accounts which had been received from the Williams and Leschenault,
there appeared every reason to believe that Mr. George Elliott, who left
the former place for the latter on the 17th December, had lost his way,
as no accounts of his arrival have been received from the Leschenault,
the Williams, or any other place.

Under such circumstances His Excellency the Governor is anxious that a
party in search of him should be despatched from Perth, and he has
instructed me to inform you that, if you could form such a party from
your own establishment, you would be rendering a service to the local
government, etc. etc.

...

As I had at this moment no matter of importance to occupy the party I
resolved to follow that course which the calls of humanity pointed out to
me, and within an hour from the receipt of this letter Mr. Walker,
myself, and the two non-commi