that this was the farthest point
Mr. Oxley reached; and it seemed the more probable as during a flood the
deep and narrow gully extending between the river and the field of
polygonum must have then been under water, and a most discouraging
impediment to the traveller. I place this spot in latitude 33 degrees 45
minutes 10 seconds South; longitude 144 degrees 56 minutes East. The
natives further informed me that three white men on horseback who had
canoes (boats) on the Murrumbidgee had visited this part of the Lachlan
since, and that after crossing it and going a little way beyond, they had
returned.

A TRIBE OF NATIVES COME TO US.

In the evening, while a heavy shower fell, the natives who had come with
me gave the alarm that a powerful tribe was advancing with scouts ahead,
as when they mean mischief. We were immediately under arms and soon saw a
small tribe consisting chiefly of old men, women, and children,
approaching our party. They sat down very quietly near us, lighting their
fire and making huts without saying a word; and on Piper going to them we
soon came to a good understanding.

MR. OXLEY'S BOTTLE.

From them we learnt that, after the tree at Oxley's camp had been burnt
down, a bottle had been found by a child who broke it, and that it
contained a letter. This information saved us all further search,
although it had been my intention to halt next day and send back six men
to dig for the bottle; I had purposed also to have promised a full one in
exchange for it, if they had found it.

May 6.

The chief of the new tribe had ordered a man to accompany us as guide,
but after going a mile or two he fell back and left us; and we were thus
compelled again to depend on the information of the gin for the situation
of water. I regretted exceedingly the defection of this envoy, by whose
means I hoped to have been passed from tribe to tribe.

The grass had improved very much on the banks of the Lachlan. A vast
plain of very firm surface extended southward, but not a tree was visible
upon it, while on our side the country was wooded in long stripes of
trees.

WALJEERS LAKE.

About seven miles from the camp the river, the general course of which
had been for several days about south-west, turned southward; and we came
in sight of Waljeers. The natives had for some days told us of Waljeers,
which proved to be the bed of a lake nearly circular and about four miles
in circumference. It was perfectly dry, but in