her plan were adopted. I therefore again
stopped the teams, and sent Mr. Browne to the eastward to ascertain how
far the ridges extended in that direction, since Mr. Poole's track
appeared to be leading deeper into them. On his return he informed me
that the ridges ceased at about a mile and a quarter; in consequence of
which I turned to the north-east, but the bullocks were now completely
worn out and refused to pull. To save them, therefore, it became
necessary to unyoke and to drive them to water, and as Mr. Browne felt
satisfied he could lead the way to the creek, I adopted that plan, and
telling the men with the sheep to follow on our tracks, we left the
drays, at 6 p.m., taking two of the men only with us, and clearing the
sand ridges at dusk, entered upon and traversed open plains. We then
stopped to rest the cattle until the moon should rise, and laid down
close to them; but although we kept watch, they had well nigh escaped us
in search for water. At half-past ten we again moved on, and at midnight
reached a low brush, in which one of the bullocks fell, and I was obliged
to leave him. About two hours afterwards another fell, but these were the
total of our casualties. We reached the creek at 3 in the morning of the
30th, and rode to a fire on its banks, where we found Davenport and
Joseph with the cart; they had separated from Mr. Poole, who was then
encamped about a quarter of a mile to the westward of them, although
Davenport did not know where he was, nor had he found water. Our
situation would have been exceedingly perplexing, if Mr. Browne, who had
led me with great precision to this point, had not assured me that he
recognised the ground, and that as soon as day dawned he would take me to
the water. Just at this moment we saw another fire to the eastward, to
which I sent Morgan on horseback, who returned with Mr. Poole, when we
were enabled to give the poor animals the relief they so much required.

Having thus secured the horses and bullocks, I turned my attention to the
men in the forest, with regard to whom I had no occasion to feel any
alarm, as I had left ten gallons of water for their use, and strictly
cautioned them not to be improvident with it. However, as soon as he had
had a little rest, I sent Morgan with a spare horse for their empty casks
to replenish them. At 2 o'clock I sent Flood with four gallons of water
to the nearest bullock that had fallen. About 11 Brock came up with the
sheep all sa