A DEPLORABLE CATASTROPHE. 



239 



into bread. Such a regimen was insufficient to restore their exhausted 

 strength. 



Early in June their afflictions were aggravated by a deplorable 

 catastrophe. The flames of their bivouac fire, driven by a strong 

 wind, reduced to ashes their hut and all that they possessed. There 

 was nothing for them now but to live with the friendly natives who 



BURKE, WILLS, AND KIKG is THE DESERTS or CEXTUAL AUSTRALIA. 



had succoured them. Unfortunately, they had disappeared. It was 

 in vain they attempted to seek them out; Burke arid Wills never saw 

 them again. 



On Saturday the 29th of June, the latter, utterly exhausted, in- 

 sisted that his companions should leave him in the wilderness, while 

 they continued their search after the natives. Unwillingly they con- 



