236 THE NORTH- AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 



while we were crossing a deep ravine, made a rush forward to attack 

 us, but, when in the act of throwing their spears, were checked by a 

 discharge of small shot, and were quickly dispersed, with the loss of 

 their leader. 



37. From the Leichhardt our course was nearly east, the country 

 consisting of low sandstone ridges, very thinly timbered, and nearly 

 destitute of grass. A few inconsiderable watercourses trended to the 

 north, in which direction extensive grassy plains appeared to exist. 

 Water was very scarce. 



28. The country improved again as the Flinders River was ap- 

 proached, and where we crossed it, in lat. 18° 8', long. 140° 50', the 

 grassy plains extended nearly twenty miles back from the river on both 

 banks. 



29. Beyond this we again encountered a worthless country, perfectly 

 level, covered with small trees and Melaleuca scrubs. The scarcity of 

 water repulsed us several times in the attempt to pursue an easterly 

 course, and forced the party north on the meridian of 141° 30', to lat. 

 17° 15', when we reached a broad sandy river-bed, which is probably 

 the " Gilbert " of Leichhardt. 



30. The approach of the rainy season, which would prevent our 

 drying the flesh of our horses, should we require to replenish our stock 

 of provisions, and the general health of the party rendering it desirable 

 that fresh meat should for a time be substituted for the salt pork, which 

 had suffered much from the heat of the climate, both in quantity and 

 quality, on the 18th we killed one of the horses, which had become 

 otherwise unserviceable. The meat was cut into thin slices, and dried 

 in the sun. The process occupied two days ; it was very tough, but 

 by long stewing became very palatable, and scarcely distinguishable 

 from beef. 



31. The general course of the Gilbert was from the south-east, and 

 this enabled us to resume our course, as a sufficient supply of water 

 existed in its channel, though several miles often intervened between 

 the pools. The country along this river was extremely level ; only one 

 ridge of hills was seen till we reached lat. 18° 20', long. 143° (27th 

 of September), though the bed of the river rose to about 700 feet above 

 the sea-level. Grassy flats extended along its banks, from one to two 



beyond 



Melaleuca 



» 



