nsporting
them over the mud to this spot; and I returned with this intention to the
muddy scene where I had left the men. It was quite dark before I found it
again and then they had succeeded in getting through only the three light
carts. I did not despair of accomplishing the passage, at least in the
course of time; but I was indeed impatient for daylight that I might
carefully examine with that view all parts of the country between our
camp and the place where I intended to launch the boats into the Glenelg
again.

THE CARTS EXTRICATED BY PROCEEDING WITH GREAT CAUTION.

August 16.

This morning it rained heavily and there was a balmy and refreshing
mildness in the air, probably owing to the vicinity of the sea. It
occurred to me that, as the ground appeared to slope towards the
south-east, we might reach some hollow on that side leading to the little
river we discovered yesterday; and that such a hollow would afford the
best chance of escape from the soft flats which now impeded us, since the
drainage they afforded to the immediate banks was likely to leave them at
least firm enough to be travelled upon. On this principle alone I
understood why the ground on the banks of the stream seen yesterday was
so firm; and I therefore hoped that the head of any ravine found near our
camp would lead by a dry though perhaps circuitous route first to the
tributary, and next by its bank to the point already mentioned where it
joined the Glenelg. I accordingly instructed Mr. Stapylton to examine the
ground in the direction proposed while I superintended the exertions of
the party to drag the boat-carriage through the mud. We finally succeeded
in this last effort and, just as I stood watching with joy the ascent of
the carriage to the firm ground beyond, Mr. Stapylton came to me with the
intelligence that he had found the head of a ravine and firm ground on
its bank in the direction where he had been. One bad place alone
intervened between our present position and the firm ground at the head
of the ravine but this Mr. Stapylton said was very bad indeed. By 10 A.M.
everything was got across the first swamp, the loads of all the carts
having been carried by the men. To the new difficulty mentioned by Mr.
Stapylton I therefore led them next, and we soon accomplished the passage
of the light carts; after which I proceeded, leaving to Mr. Stapylton the
management of the rest, having first brought the boat-carriage within
reach of the f