fterwards found a large supply of permanent water. Their latitude at
this point was 29 degrees 47 minutes S., and up to it no change for the
better had taken place in the appearance of the country. On Monday, the
15th, Mr. Poole ascended several hills to take bearings before he moved
on; he then proceeded up the creek to the north-west, and passed from
fifteen to twenty large water-holes. At about three miles, Mr. Poole
found himself on an open table land, on which the creek turned to the
west. He, therefore, left it, and at two miles crossed a branch creek
with water and grass. At 7 1/2 miles farther to the north crossed another
creek, followed it for a mile, when it joined a larger one, the course of
which was to the north-east. In this creek there were numerous large
pools of water. Crossing it, Mr. Poole ascended a hill to take bearings,
from which he descended to a third creek, where he stopped for the night.
On the following morning he continued his journey to the north, being
anxious to report to me the character of the ranges. At 12 miles over
open plains he intersected a creek trending to the eastward, in which
there was an abundant supply of water; but this creek differed from the
others in having muddy water, and but little vegetation in its
neighbourhood. Passed some native huts, and saw twenty wild turkeys. At
10 miles from this creek Mr. Poole struck another, the ranges being still
12 miles distant. The horses having travelled for the last 10 miles over
barren stony plains, had lost their shoes, and were suffering greatly.
Mr. Poole, therefore, stopped at this place, and on consulting with Mr.
Browne, determined to return to the camp without delay. Accordingly on
the following morning he rode to the hills with Mr. Browne, leaving Mack
with the other horses to await his return, and at 10 a.m. ascended the
range. The view from it was not at all encouraging. The hills appeared to
trend to the N.E., and were all of them flat-topped and treeless. The
country to the west and north-west was dark with scrub, and the whole
region barren and desolate. After taking bearings, Mr. Poole descended,
returned to the creek on which he had left Mack, and as I have already
stated, reached the camp on the evening of the 25th.

It will be obvious to the reader that the great danger I had to apprehend
was that of having my retreat cut off from the failure of water in my
rear; or if I advanced without first of all exploring the co