ck to Streaky Bay
camp, he nearly lost three of his horses.

Leaving Streaky Bay again, he went east of north to the head of Spencer's
Gulf, finding the country on this route a little better, but still devoid
of water, the party getting through, thanks only to a timely rainfall. On
the 29th of September, he came to his old camp at Mount Arden, where he
wrote:--

"It was evident that what I had taken on my last journey to be the bed of
a dry lake now contained water, and was of considerable size; but as my
time was very limited, and the lake at a great distance, I had to forego
my wish to visit it. I have, however, no doubt of its being salt, from
the nature of the country, and the fact of finding the water very salt in
one of the creeks draining into it from the hills. Beyond this lake
(which I distinguished with the name of Colonel Torrens) to the westward
was a low, flat-topped range, extending north-westerly, as far as I could
see."

From this point Eyre returned, pursuing his former homeward route.

[Map. Eyre's Explorations, 1840 and 1841.]

The main objects that now attracted the attention of the colonists of
South Australia were (1) discovery to the northward, regarding both the
extent of Lake Torrens and the nature of the interior; and (2) the
possibility of the existence of a stock route to the Swan River
settlement. Eyre, however, after his late experience, was convinced that
the overlanding of stock around the head of the Great Bight was
impracticable. The country was too sterile, and the absence of
water-courses rendered the idea hopeless. For immediate practical
results, beneficial to the growing pastoral industry, Eyre favoured the
extension of discovery to the north. This then was the course adopted,
and subscriptions were raised towards that end. Eyre himself provided
one-third of the needful horses and other expenses; and the Government
and colonists found the remainder.

Meantime it was found that the country in the immediate neighbourhood of
Port Lincoln was not altogether of the same wretched nature as that
traversed by Eyre between Streaky Bay and the head of Spencer's Gulf.
Captain Hawson, William Smith, and three others had made an excursion for
some considerable distance, and found well-grassed country and abundance
of water. From the point whence they turned back, they had seen a fine
valley with a running stream. This valley they named Rossitur Vale, after
Captain Rossitur of the French