able censure; but we are of
opinion that a responsibility far beyond his expectations devolved
upon him; and it must be borne in mind that, with the assurance of
his leader, and his own conviction that he might each day expect to
be relieved by Mr. Wright, he still held his post for four months
and five days; and that only when pressed by the appeals of a
comrade sickening even to death, as was subsequently proved, his
powers of endurance gave way, and he retired from the position
which could alone afford succour to the weary explorers should they
return by that route. His decision was most unfortunate; but we
believe he acted from a conscientious desire to discharge his duty,
and we are confident that the painful reflection that twenty-four
hours' further perseverance would have made him the rescuer of the
explorers, and gained for himself the praise and approbation of
all, must be of itself an agonizing thought, without the addition
of censure he might feel himself undeserving of.

CHAPTER 11.

Proceedings in Melbourne.
Meeting of the Exploration Committee.
Tardy Resolutions.
Departure of Mr. Howitt.
Patriotic Effort of Mr. Orkney.
South Australian Expedition under Mr. McKinlay.
News of White Men and Camels having been seen by Natives
in the Interior.
Certain Intelligence of the Fate of the Explorers reaches Melbourne.

IN March, 1861, I began, in the absence of all intelligence, to
feel some apprehension for my son's safety, and the result of the
expedition. On the 8th, Professor Neumayer, in reply to a letter
from me, said: "You have asked me about the Exploring Expedition,
and it is really a difficult matter to give a definite answer to
the question. I think that by this time the party must have reached
the Gulf of Carpentaria, supposing them to have proceeded in that
direction. In fact, I think they may have recrossed already a great
part of the desert country, if everything went on smoothly after
leaving Cooper's Creek. I have a thorough confidence in Mr. Wills's
character and energy, and I am sure they will never fail. I cannot
help regretting that the Committee should not have understood the
force of my arguments, when I advised them to send the expedition
towards the north-west. This would very likely have forwarded the
task considerably. My feeling is not very strong as to the results
we may expect from the present attempt. Indeed, as far as science
and practical advantages are concerned, I look up