INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 11 



to the surface and then disappeared in the sand and gravel deposits 

 bevond. These pools were very welcome to us in that thirsty land, 

 and where there were sandy places near these pools rushes were grow- 

 ing, forming almost the only green vegetation which we saw. Every- 

 where else was barren and bare of grass, and in some places of feed 

 bushes also. In places we came to plains lying between hills which 

 were desolate wastes, across which wind-driven columns of dust stalked, 

 reminding one of the Ghin in the Arabian Nights' story of a fisherman 

 who dredged up a casket from the sea. 



The country as we saw it might have been described, in the 

 language used by Eyre, as desolate and barren ; but when we passed 

 over it we did not find even the plentiful grass which he speaks of here 

 and there, because, the country being stocked, the cattle and sheep 

 had eaten off every blade within reach of the watering-places. One 

 settler, talking about the drought, told me that there had not been any 

 rain to speak of for nearly three years, and that some of his cattle came 

 in from a distance of four or five miles for a drink. All the stock we 

 saw told by their appearance a sorry tale of starvation. 



Our horses fared badly in passing through the drought-stricken 

 mountains, but we hoped for better times when we reached the newly 

 discovered Promised Land in the north-west. 



Such were the impressions on our minds by seeing this country 

 during a drought, and not in one of the seasons of plenty which also 

 occur at times. 



We had a sketch plan of the country which Parry had traversed 

 the year before, and showing the various points we had to make, the 

 first being Hermit Hill and Finnis Springs. 



In time we worked our way to Strangways Springs, from which 

 we made further excursions and inspected a good deal of country. 

 All was new to us Victorians : the wide plains, some of soft soil, others 

 so stony that when travelling at night those who were behind could 

 see where the leading man was by the sparks his horse struck out of 

 the stones at each step. It was all novelty to us : the sandhill country, 

 with grass and bushes ; the gum creeks, some with fresh, but more with 

 salt, water ; the rugged hills, much seamed by sharp-edged slates ; 

 then the distant table-topped hills, from which we continually saw 

 rising what we took to be smoke signals. It was an interesting ex- 

 perience in a wonderful country, the mound springs being the greatest 

 wonder of all ; but it was not the kind of country that was wanted. 



Our return was uneventful. We now knew the country, and made 

 a short cut from Strangways Springs across some very rough and stony 



