ecovered from his
astonishment, and Topar, whom I sent to join them, coming up, he soon
recovered his composure and approached the cart. As we had prevented the
old man from securing his game, I desired Topar to give him the remains
of the dog; but this he refused to do. I therefore ordered Morgan to take
it from him, and told Topar I would give him an equivalent when we
reached the camp. This native did not seem to be aware that the Darling
was up, a piece of news that seemed to give him much joy and
satisfaction. I kept my promise with Mr. Topar, but he deserved neither
my generosity nor consideration.

Mr. Poole informed me that the fluctuations of temperature had been as
great at Cawndilla as with us; that the day before, the heat likewise had
been excessive, the thermometer having risen to 110 degrees, on the day
of our return it was down to 38 degrees.

The natives appeared really glad to see us again, for I believe they had
given us up for lost. My old friend shed tears when he embraced us, and
Nadbuck, who still remained with Toonda, shewed the most unequivocal
signs of joy.

Cawndilla bears about W.S.W. from the junction of the Williorara with the
Darling, at a distance of from six to seven miles. We broke up our camp
there on the 28th of October 1844, but, however easily Mr. Browne and I
had crossed the plains to the north-west, it was a journey that I felt
assured would try the bullocks exceedingly. The weather had again
changed, and become oppressively hot, so that it behoved me to use every
precaution, in thus abandoning the Darling river.

At early dawn Mr. Browne started with Flood, Cowley, and Kirby, in the
light cart, to enlarge the wells at Curnapaga, to enable the cattle to
drink out of them. Naturally humane and partial to the natives, he had
been particularly kind to Toonda, who in his way was I believe really
attached to Mr. Browne. This singular man had made up his mind to remain
with his tribe, but when he saw the cart, and Mr. Browne's horse brought
up, his feelings evidently overpowered him, and he stood with the most
dejected aspect close to the animal, nor could he repress his emotion
when Mr. Browne issued from the tents; if our route had been up the
Darling, I have no doubt Toonda would still have accompanied us, but all
the natives dreaded the country into which we were going, and fully
expected that we should perish. It was not therefore surprising that he
wavered, more especially as