OVERLAND EXPEDITION. 163 



pale and emaciated^ with hag'g-ard looks attesting- 

 the misery and privations they had undergone^ 

 and with low trembling- voices^ they gave their 

 evidence. 



It would appear that their difficulties commenced 

 at the outset^ as many weeks passed before they g-ot 

 clear of Eocking-ham Bay^ its rivers^ swamps^ and 

 dense scrubs^ fenced in b}' a mountain chain. Six 

 weeks elapsed before they were enabled to pursue a 

 northerly course^ the scrubs or dense brushes still 

 continuing'^ requiring* the party to cut their Ava}'. 

 The carts were abandoned on July 18th, and the 

 horses were packed. Sickness early made its 

 appearance^ the stock of provisions was g*etting- low^ 

 the horses lono- faihno- in streno-th were dyino- of 

 weakness^ and their flesh was used as food. 



On November lOth^ or upwards of five months 

 after leavino- Rockino'ham Bay, havino- made less 

 than 400 miles in a direct line towards their 

 destination^ and three of the party having- been 

 completel}" knocked up^ and the remainder in a feeble 

 state ; nineteen of their horses dead^ and their pro- 

 visions reduced to one sheep^ forty-six pounds of 

 flour^ and less than one pound of tea^ — Mr. Kennedy 

 resolved to form a light party consisting- of himself^ 

 three men^ and the aboriginal Jackey Jackey^ and 

 push on for Cape York^ distant about 130 miles^ to 

 procure assistance for the remainder^ and save them 

 from impending death by the combined influences of 

 sickness^ exhaustion_, and starvation. 



M 2 



