ey came upon a
native path which led through a forest; following it, they reached a
large patch of sandy ground where the blacks had been digging yams and
had left numbers lying on the surface; and these the explorers were glad
enough to eat.

A little farther on they saw a black lying coiled round his camp fire,
and by him squatted his lubra and piccaninny yabbering at a great rate.
They stopped to take out their pistols in case of need before disturbing
them; almost immediately the black got up to stretch his limbs, and
presently saw the intruders.

He stared at them for some time, as if he thought he must be dreaming,
then, signing to the others, they all dropped on their haunches, and
shuffled off in the quietest manner.

Near their fire was a worley (native hut) large enough to shelter a
dozen blacks; it was on the northern outskirt of the forest, and looked
out across a marsh which is sometimes flooded by sea-water. Upon this
were hundreds of wild geese, plover, and pelicans. After they crossed it
they reached a channel through which the sea-water enters, and there
passed three blacks, who silently and unasked pointed out the best way
to go.

Next day, Billy being completely tired, they short-hobbled and left him,
going forward again at daybreak in the hope of at last reaching the open
sea. After following the Flinders (this country had already been
explored by Gregory) for about fifteen miles, and finding that the tide
ebbed and flowed regularly, and that the water was quite salt, they
decided to go back, having successfully accomplished one great object of
their mission, by crossing the Australian continent from south to north.

After rejoining Gray and King on February 13, the whole party began the
return march. The incessant and heavy rains that had set in rendered
travelling very difficult; but the provisions were running short, and it
was necessary to try to get back to the depot without delay.

The damp and suffocating heat that brooded in the air overpowered both
man and beast, who were weak and weary from want of rest; and to breast
the heavy rains and to swim the rapid creeks in flood well-nigh
exhausted all their strength.

Day after day they stumbled listlessly onward; while the poor camels,
sweating, bleeding, and groaning from fear, had their feet at almost
every step entangled by the climbing plants that clung to the rank
grasses, which had rushed in magical growth to a height of eight or te