disappointments we had encountered together, and the peculiar
character of the expedition, had, as far as Mr. Browne and myself were
concerned, removed all restraint, and left to ourselves in that dreary
wilderness, we regarded each other as friends only, who were united in a
common cause, in the success of which we were almost equally interested.
I knew, therefore, that the proposal I was about to make would give him
pain; but I counted on his acquiescence, and as time would not admit of
delay, I availed myself of an opportunity that presented itself the third
day after our return, to break it to him.

As we were sitting in the tent after dinner, with our tea still before
us, I said to him, "I am afraid, Browne, from what I have observed, that
you have mistaken the object for which I have returned to the Depot, and
that you have been buoying yourself up with the hope that it is done
preparatory to our return to Adelaide; for myself I cannot encourage any
such hope for the present, at least. So far indeed from this, I have for
some time been reflecting as to the most prudent course to be pursued
under our present circumstances; for, I would not conceal from you the
pain I have felt at the failure of our endeavours to penetrate farther
than we have been able to do into the interior, neither can I conceal
from myself the fact, that whatever our personal exertions, the results
of our labours have not been commensurate with our expectations, and that
however great our perseverance or however difficult the task we have had
to perform, the world at large will alone judge of its merits by its
success. In considering how we can yet retrieve our misfortunes, one only
step occurs to me, and whatever pain our separation may cost us, I am
sure, where the interests of the services call for it, you will readily
comply with my wishes. I propose, then, your return to Adelaide, with all
the party but three; that you should leave me five horses, and take with
you only such provisions as you may absolutely require upon the road. By
such an arrangement I might yet hold out against the drought, and
ultimately succeed in doing something to make up for the past." My young
friend was evidently unprepared for the proposition I had made. "You have
done all you were sent out to do," he observed, "why then seek to
penetrate again into that horrid desert? It is impossible that you can
succeed during the continuance of the dry weather. If you now go y