80 



JOUHNEY OF DISCOVERY INTO 



Early the next day, November 2ncl, we proceeded on our N.E. course, 

 and in eight miles came upon an extensive series of salt lakes and 

 broad shallow channels, at least 2|- miles in width, studded with many 

 low rushy islands, and winding towards the hills we had seen the day 

 before in the N.E. On one of these islands I halted our hungry 

 horses for half an hour, to give them the benefit of some grass there, 

 which, although dry, was very acceptable, and we plied our spade in 

 vain in the most likely places around for fresh water ; all however 

 salt, — the whole country for several miles seemed one extensive salt 

 basin, or low depressed plain, and to afford* no chance of our finding in 

 it the article we stood so much in need of. As the day advanced I 

 quitted this salt region, and on keeping more easterly came on good 

 grass in several situations, but could not halt upon it for want of 

 water; our last chance was the range of hills for which we had been 

 steering: one of these we accordingly ascended, passed several channels 

 quite dry, and were greatly disappointed, on reaching the summit, after 

 sunset, to find it a collection of loose quartz and whinstone, instead of 

 granite sheets retaining water. Forcing our way at once towards a 

 deep valley beyond, the darkness and almost impracticable thicket soon 

 obliged us to halt, and we tied our horses up short in a small clear 

 space, without a blade or drop of any kind to give them; we were our- 

 selves much better off*, having a pint of water each, the last remains of 

 our scanty stock. Markab on the meridian showed the latitude of this 

 bivouac to be 32^ 37' 11'' S., or about 90 miles from the nearest part 

 of the coast to the southward. Being now fairly within the Range, we 

 could perceive it consisted of a succession of steep narrow ridges, of 

 unequal elevation, covered densely with thickets and small timber, and 

 yielding no grass. The soil was coloured a deep red by the ironstone 

 at the surface, but the principal rock in view was whinstone, with frag- 

 ments of quartz. This description seemed to apply to the whole of the 

 Eange, which apparently extended N.W. and S.E. about 6 miles, with 

 a width of 3 or 4 ; but our view was yery much confined by the thick- 

 ness of the wood, and I had to regret being unable to catch even a 

 slight glance at the country we had passed over, as the setting sun was 

 gleaming like burnished gold upon some open waters to the westward 

 of our recent route, and would probably have pointed out an extensive 

 continuation of the salt-lakes we had encountered during the day. In 

 remembrance of an excellent officer, under whom I had formerlv served 



