nd at the same time to have a
force strong enough to maintain an obstinate resistance against any
number of savages, where no mercy is to be expected. It will be borne
in mind, that there is a wide difference between penetrating into a
country in the midst of its population, and landing from ships for the
purpose of communication or traffic. Yet, how few voyages of discovery
have terminated without bloodshed! Boats while landing are covered by
their ships, and have succour within view; but not so parties that go
into unknown tracts. They must depend on their immediate resources and
individual courage alone.

PACK-OXEN, HORSES, WHEEL-CARRIAGES.

With regard to the animals, I should recommend an equal number of
horses as of bullocks; since it has been found that the latter, though
slow, travel better over swampy ground than horses, which, on the other
hand, are preferable for expeditious journeys, to which bullocks would
never be equal. One of the colonial pack-saddles weighs fifty pounds
complete, and is preferable to those sent out from England. This, with
a load of 250 lbs. is sufficient for any animal, since it enables the
men to place a part of their provisions with the general loads. The
difficulty of keeping the backs of the animals free from injury, more
especially where any blemish has before existed, is exceedingly great.
They should undergo an examination twice a-day, that is, in the morning
prior to moving off, and in the afternoon before they are turned out to
feed; and measures should then be taken to ease them as circumstances
require. I never suffered the saddles to be removed from the backs of
the animals under my charge for twenty minutes after the termination of
the journey for the day, in order to guard against the effects of the
sun; and where the least swelling appeared the saddle was altered and
the place dressed. Yet, notwithstanding all this care and attention,
several both of the horses and bullocks were at one time in a sad
condition, during the first journey,--so much so as almost to paralyse
our efforts. It would be advisable that such animals as are entirely
free from blemish should be chosen for the service of expeditions, for,
with proper management they might be kept in order. The anxiety of mind
attendant on a bad state of the animals is really quite embarrassing,
for it not only causes a delay in the movements, but a derangement in
the loads. Other animals are overburdened, and there is