e
of inhabitants it seemed as if we were now getting into a more populous
district. About noon of the 2nd, as Mr. Browne and I were riding in front
of the chainers, we heard a shout to our right, and on looking in that
direction saw a party of natives assembled on a sand hill, to the number
of fourteen. As we advanced towards them they retreated, but at length
made a stand as if to await our approach. They were armed with spears,
and on Mr. Browne dismounting to walk towards them, formed themselves
into a circle, in the centre of which were two old men, round whom they
danced. Thinking that Mr. Browne might run some risk if he went near, I
called him back, and as I really had not time for ceremonies, we rejoined
the chainers, beng satisfied also that if the natives felt disposed to
communicate with us, they would do so of their own accord; nor was I
mistaken in this, for, judging, I suppose, from our leaving them that we
did not meditate any hostility, seven of their number followed us, and as
Mr. Browne was at that time in advance, I gave my horse to one of the men
and again went towards them, but it was with great difficulty that I got
them to a parley, after which they sat down and allowed me to approach,
though from the surprise they exhibited I imagine they had never seen a
white man before. They spoke a language different from any I had heard,
had lost two of the front teeth of the upper jaw, and had large scars on
the breast. I could not gather any information from them, or
satisfactorily ascertain from what quarter they came; staying with them
for a short time therefore, and giving them a couple of knives I left
them, and after following abreast of us, for a mile or two, they also
turned to the north, and disappeared.

The night of the 2nd August was exceedingly cold, with the wind from the
N.E. (an unusual quarter from which to have a low temperature) and there
was a thick hoar frost on the morning of the 3rd. Why the winds should
have been so cold blowing from that quarter, whence our hottest winds
also came, it is difficult to say; but at this season of the year, and in
this line, they were invariably so.

Near the flat on which we stopped on the evening of the 2nd there was a
hill considerably elevated above the others; which, after unsaddling and
letting out the horses, Mr. Browne and I were induced to ascend. From it
we saw a line of high and broken ranges to the S.S.W. but they were very
distant. At thre