THE INTERIOR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 145 
as our sick horse, Smiler, was nowhere to be found, and we began to 
fear he might have stumbled into the estuary from weakness, and been 
drowned. He was at length discovered lying down in a small thicket, 
and was brought into camp in a very weak and seedy state, notwith- 
standing his recent rest. Being nevertheless in hopes he would be 
able to accomplish the remainder of the journey to Cape Riche, now 
“amounting only to fifteen miles, we commenced it so soon as the sun : 
had acquired sufficient power to dispel the fog, and proceeded up a = 
steep rocky valley to the S.W. Passing northward of the high granite — — 
ridge which extends westward from Point Irby, at the end of two miles 
and a half the horses were watered at a permanent spring of good 
water, called Noondeip, situate amongst granite rocks, in a watercourse 
descending to the south-westward. A mile beyond this brought us 
out upon the scrubby coast-hills, overlooking a snug little boat harbour 
at their feet, from which the extremity of Cape Riche bore S. 17? W. 
It was formed by a low rocky point on its south side, its sandy beach 
was open to easterly winds, and the sea broke heavily upon a detached 
covered reef, which lay to the southward of it, a mile from the shore. 
Passing up the steep rocky valley of a small watercourse which fell into 
this little cove from the westward, the travelling was very rugged and - 
bad for nearly two miles, when the beach at length became practicable, 
and our horses felt much relieved by getting on to it. After scrambling 
over two or three rocky sandstone cliffs, which were lashed at their 
bases by a heavy surf, and crossing several small watercourses, with 
beds of the same description, we at length reached the mouth of — 
Cheyne’s Inlet, and were surprised to find it open, with a salt stream, _ 
ten yards wide and two feet deep, running strongly out. Our approach - 
having been observed, we were met here by the worthy owner of the 
property, Mr. George Cheyne, who showed us how to avoid some 
quicksands in crossing, and then welcomed us to his hospitable abode 
with his accustomed kisis and cordiality. 2 
After an absence of eighty-six days, which, to our weak and worn 
out horses in particular, had been a period of almost unremitting toil 
and privation, they once again revelled in the enjoyment of good ec 
and rest, and, with the exception of Smiler, rapidly recruited their c 
hausted energies. 
Here we remained four days, during which the horses were re-shod 
in their fore-feet ; saddles, bags, and clothes were aine and put | in 
VOL. VII. E 
