CH. VIII.] AND OF MR. DIXON. 327 



intention of falling into it again, at Cogoorduroy or Cookopie 

 Ponds. We had now passed the scene of Mr. Cunningham's 

 distresses, and I judged that a man on horseback might travel 

 safely along our old route with despatches. We had been 

 about five months shut out from all communication with the 

 colony, and I was eager to avail myself of the first safe op- 

 portunity of sending to the government, a report of our 

 progress. 



We were still about 120 miles from Buree, a distance 

 which could be travelled over on horseback in three days, 

 and William Baldock, who was in charge of the horses, was 

 very willing to be the courier. The party was to proceed by 

 a new I'oute in the morning, consequently, I had only the 

 night for writing all my letters. 



Sept. 5. — I sent off my courier at ten a.m., having ordered 

 him positively not to encamp at water-holes, but only to let 

 his horse drink, fill his own horn, and choose his resting- 

 places at a distance from any water. He was also instructed 

 to ask any natives, he might meet with, if they had met the 

 other white fellows, &c. This last being a ruse to prevent 

 the tribes from annoying him, which they were moi'e likely 

 to do when they saw him quite alone. 



The Doctor and two men were sent forward at an eai'ly 

 hour along the banks of the Bogan, in search of water-holes. 

 We followed in the same direction, crossing to the right bank, 

 at that very pond at the junction of Bullock creek, which 

 saved the lives of the cattle after they had thirsted two days, 

 (April 16). We finally encamped on some good pools, after 

 a journey of seven miles. The " doctor" joined us long after 

 it was dark, and reported that he had found plenty of water 

 all along the bed of the" river as far as he had proceeded, 

 which was about ten miles higher, in a direct line. Near 

 where we encamped, the marks of Mr. Dixon's cattle and 

 horses were very plainly visible, and by their depth we per- 

 ceived how very wet and soft the ground had then been. 

 Sept. 6. — We set forward on a bearing of east-south-east, 



