; but
their flesh was perfectly tasteless. Still they were a most valuable
stock, and we had enough remaining to give the men a full allowance; for
the parties employed on detached excursions, could only take a day or
two's supply with them, and in consequence a quantity of back rations, if
I may so term them, were constantly accumulating.

Mr. Poole's reduced state of health rendered it necessary that a dray
should be prepared for his transport, and I requested Mr. Browne to
superintend every possible arrangement for his comfort. A dray was
accordingly lined with sheep skins, and had a flannel tilt, as the nights
were exceedingly cold, and he could not be moved to a fire. I had also a
swing cot made, with pullies to raise him up when he should feel disposed
to change his position.

Whilst these necessary preparations were being forwarded, I was engaged
writing my public despatches.

In my communication to the Governor of South Australia, I expressed a
desire that a supply of provisions might be forwarded to Williorara by
the end of December, about which period I hoped I should be on my return
from the interior. I regretted exceedingly putting her Majesty's
Government to this additional cost, but I trust a sufficient excuse will
have been found for me in the foregoing pages. I would rather that my
bones had been left to bleach in that desert than have yielded an inch of
the ground I had gained at so much expense and trouble.

The 27th of June completed the fifth month of our detention at the Depot,
and the prospect of our removal appeared to be as distant as ever; there
were, it is true, more clouds, but they passed over us without breaking.
The month of July, however, opened with every indication of a change, the
sky was generally overcast, and although we had been so often
disappointed, I had a presentiment that the then appearances would not
vanish without rain.

About this time Mr. Poole, whose health on the whole was improving, had a
severe attack of inflammation, which Mr. Browne subdued with great
difficulty. After this attack he became exceedingly restless, and
expressed a desire to be moved from the tent in which he had so long been
confined, to the underground room, but as that rude apartment was
exceedingly cold at night, I thought it advisable to have a chimney built
to it before he was taken there. It was not until the 12th that it was
ready for him. As the men were carrying him across the camp towards