the river into the plains, while the natives went
up its banks to join their hordes. Those whom we saw were about
twenty-seven in number and the most of them were strangers.

DISTRESS FROM THIRST.

It was some time after sunset before we reached the little plain on
which we had arranged to sleep, and when we dismounted we were in a
truly pitiable state. I had been unable to refrain from drinking
copiously at the river, and now became extremely sick. Mr. Hume had
been scarcely more prudent than myself, but on him the water had a
contrary effect, as well as upon Hopkinson. The tinker was the only man
fit for duty, and it was well for us that such was the case, as the
horses made frequent attempts to stray, and would have left us in a
pretty plight had they succeeded. We reached the camp on the following
day a little before sunset, nor was I more rejoiced to dismount from my
wearied horse than to learn that everything in the camp had been
regular during our absence and that the men had kept on the best terms
with the natives who had paid them frequent visits.

The bullocks had improved, but were still extremely weak, and as the
horses we had employed on the last journey required a day or two's
rest, it was arranged that we should not break up our camp until the
12th, beyond which period we could not stop, in consequence of the low
state of our salt provisions, we having barely sufficient to last to
Mount Harris, at the rate of two pounds per week.

REMARKS ON THE NATIVES.

The morning after we returned from our excursion, a large party of
natives, about seventy in number, visited the camp. On this occasion,
the women and children passed behind the tents, but did not venture to
stop. Most of the men had spears, and were unusually inquisitive and
forward. Several of them carried fire-sticks under the influence of the
disease I have already noticed, whilst others were remarked to have
violent cutaneous eruptions all over the body. We were pretty well on
the alert; notwithstanding which, every minor article was seized with a
quickness that would have done credit to a most finished juggler. One
of the natives thus picked up my comb and toothbrush, but as he did not
attempt to conceal them, they were fortunately recovered. After staying
with us a short time the men followed the women. They appeared to be
strangers who had come from a distance.

CUSTOMS OF THE NATIVES.

The natives of the Darling are a clean-limbed, well