THE INTERIOR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 83 



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marshes, one false move amongst wliich would have proved its entire 

 destruction. We had however fortunately come upon a patch of good 

 grass for the horses in the midst of this universal waste, but they were 

 sadly distressed for water, which had only once been met with since 

 leaving Peak Charles. At this critical juncture it was found impossi- 

 ble to continue the exploration further, eastward, until they could be 

 recruited. For this purpose therefore I began next day to work my 

 way to the south, in hopes of speedily emerging from the extensive 

 salt country in which we had hitherto encountered so many obstacles. 

 No improvement however took place for the next twelve miles and a 

 half, at the end of which we looked out upon a country of much less 

 elevation to the southward, and with great thankfulness welcomed the 

 sight of a considerable elevation to the south-east, which formed the 

 only break in the uniformly level horizon. It is scarcely necessary to 

 ay that we instinctively turned immediately towards this promising 

 relief; but as I looked across the intervening distance of apparently 

 thirty miles, and at the same time contemplated the distress and ex- 

 haustion of our cattle, I confess the result appeared doubtful, and I 

 turned over in my mind what articles could best be left behind. We 

 had not proceeded on our south-east course more than eight miles, be- 

 fore the horse I had most cause to fear for knocked completely up, 

 and was unable to move another step : as he had only previously car- 

 ried an empty saddle, it was speedily removed to another, and to our 

 great regret poor "Jack'* was abandoned for the present, in the hope 

 we might yet find both water and grass within reasonable distance, 

 and be able to recover him. Three miles further on, another of my 

 best horses (Ney) also gave in, completely beat ; and the rest were in a 

 most pitiable condition, for we had been totally unable to restrain them 

 from rushing into the salt lakes as we passed near them, and from 

 drinking part of their contents before discovering their briny quality. 

 To avoid these lakes was impossible : the country being so thick, they 

 were not seen until a few yards distant. As the sun was now near the 

 horizon, and I was extremely unwilling to lose this second horse with- 

 out some further effort for his recovery, the party were encamped on 

 tte spot, after a most trying day's journey of more than twenty-three 

 miles, but once more without either grass or water. A kind Provi- 

 dence however, which had already relieved us in many a difficulty, 

 again interposed in our behalf, and a light rain wliich fell for two hotirs 



