. The
wind having settled in its old quarter the E.S.E., in this latitude was
not so cold as we had felt it in a more northerly one. Why it should have
been so, it is difficult to say: we know the kind of country over which
an E.S.E. wind must pass between the coast and the latitude of Fort Grey,
and could not expect that it should be other than hot, but we are
ignorant of the kind of country over which it may sweep higher up to the
north. Can it be that there is a large body of water in that quarter? We
shall soon have to record something to strengthen that supposition. About
this period the sky was generally cloudy, and, as I have before remarked,
in any other region it would have rained, but here only a few drops fell,
no signs of which remained half an hour afterwards; the barometer,
however, was very low, and it was not unreasonable to have encouraged
hopes of a favourable change.

On the 3rd the natives who had visited the camp before our return, again
came, together with the young boy who Davenport suspected had stolen his
blanket. He charged him with the theft, therefore, and told him not to
return to the tents again without it, explaining at the same time what he
had said, to the other natives. The boy went away before the rest, but
all of them returned the next day, and he gave up the blanket. On hearing
this, I went out and praised him, and as he appeared to be sorry for his
offence, I gave him a knife, in which I believe I erred, for we
afterwards learnt, that the surrender of the blanket was not a voluntary
act, but that he had been punished, and forced to restore it by his
tribe. I cannot help thinking, however, that if the theft had not been
discovered, the young rogue would have been applauded for his dexterity.

I had, during my journey back to the Depot, sat up to a late hour
writing, that no delay might take place in my intended arrangements on
our arrival at Fort Grey. In revolving in my own mind the state of the
country, I felt satisfied that, although the water had decreased
fearfully since the July rain, the road was still open for Mr. Browne to
make good his retreat, but it was quite uncertain how long it might
continue so. It was evident, indeed, that neither he nor myself had any
time to lose, but I waited for a few days before I broke the subject to
him, reluctant as I was to hasten his departure, and feeling I should
often have to regret the loss of such a companion. The varied reverses
and