e sea was a
deep blue, and that in the midst of it was a conical island of great
height."

Poor Sturt! No boat was ever to float upon that visionary sea, nor flag
to wave over those dream-born waters. To those who know the experiences
that awaited the expedition, it is pathetic to read of the leader's
soaring hopes, as delusive as the desert mirage itself.

The whole of the party now removed to a small shallow lakelet, the
commencement of the Williora channel (Laidley's Ponds). After a short
excursion to the distant ranges reported by Poole, Sturt, accompanied by
Browne and two men, went ahead for the purpose of finding water of a
sufficient permanency to remove the whole of the party to. At the small
lake where they were then encamped, there was the ever-present likelihood
of a conflict with the pugnacious natives of the Darling. He was
successful in finding what he wanted, and on the 4th of November the main
body of the expedition, finally leaving the Darling basin, removed to the
new water depot.

The next day Sturt, with Browne and three men and the cart, started on
another trip in search of water ahead. This was found in small
quantities, but rain coming on, Sturt returned and sent Poole out again
to search while the camp was being moved. On his return, Poole reported
having seen some brackish lakes, and also having caught sight of Eyre's
Mount Serle. They were now well on the western slope of the Barrier
Range, and, but for the providential discovery of a fine creek to the
northward, which was called Flood's creek, after one of the party, they
would have been unable to maintain their position. To Flood's creek the
camp was removed, and Sturt congratulated himself on the steady and
satisfactory progress he was making.

[Illustration. Sturt's Depot Glen. The Glen, eroded in vertical silurian
slate, is less than a mile long. Poole rests by the creek where the gorge
opens quite abruptly on to a vast cretaceous plain. Photo by the Reverend
J.M. Curran.]

The party now left the Barrier Range, and followed a course to another
range further north, staying for some time at a small lagoon while
engaged in making an examination of the country ahead. On the 27th of
January, 1845, they camped on a creek rising in a small range, and
affording, at its head, a fine supply of permanent water. When upon its
banks the explorers pitched their tents, they little thought that it
would be the 17th of the following July before they