posed therefore to proceed
northward, or to pursue such a direction as well as the nature of the
country permitted, so that I might arrive, on the most northern of these
streams, and then, keeping in view whatever high land might be visible
near its northern banks, to trace the river's course downwards, and thus
to arrive at the large river, or common channel of all these waters.

The second condition necessary to the existence of a river, namely, the
higher land enclosing its basin, might, in this case, have been either
Arbuthnot's Range, or that between the Darling and the Lachlan; and this
seemed to me to involve a question of at least equal importance to that
of the river itself, for, had the fall of all the waters above-mentioned,
been to the north-west, it was obvious that such a range must have been
the dividing ridge or spine connecting the eastern and western parts of
Australia, and which, when once investigated was likely to be the key to
the discovery of all the rivers on each side, and to the other
subordinate features of this great island.

Thus, the most direct and practical plan for seeking the river, was
perfectly consistent with my views of general exploration.

PREPARATION FOR THE SURVEY.

In the selection of men to compose an exploring party, and in collecting
the articles of equipment, provisions, and means of transport, my
department afforded various facilities. This aid was the more necessary
in my case, because the other duties of my office, prevented me from
devoting much attention personally, to the preparations for such a
journey.

From the known level character of the interior, I considered that the
light drays or carts used by the surveyors might easily pass, and I
therefore preferred them to packhorses, being also a more convenient
means of conveyance; I availed myself likewise of such men, carts,
bullocks, and horses, as were disposable in the survey department at the
time. The new Governor was expected in the course of a few months, and I
was therefore desirous to set out as soon as possible, that I might
return before his arrival.

After several weeks of anxious preparation, I had the satisfaction to
find that every contingency was, as far as possible, provided for in my
department. Each officer, whether employed in the survey of the different
parts of the colony, or the measurement of farms, was also fully
instructed respecting his duties during my contemplated absence. In the
cor