PREFACE. 
‘Turse desultory Notes, taken merely to refresh my memory 
when recurring to scenes so fraught, to me, with interesting 
reminiscences, would never have met the public eye had it 
not been for the kind and flattering solicitations of friends 
who have perused my journal; and if, by putting them in 
print, I can excite one-half the interest and pleasure. with the 
general reader which the expedition gaye me, I shall be amply 
repaid for the time spent and the care taken in writing my 
book. Ee ih ce ie a le enchanting : ‘ 
In the arrangement of my work my object is twofold, viz., 
to impart all the information I can respecting the physical 
character of the country passed through on the whole line of 
our march from the frontier, and to entertain, by relating from 
personal observation, scenes and incidents of daily occurrence, 
whilst roaming through so wild a region as the far South- 
West. 
Associated as I was with men of long experience in the 
performance of similar duties, my observations have been 
aided by scientific knowledge, whilst the protection of a goy- 
ernment escort gave opportunity for close inspection, without 
the harrassing anticipation of attack and disaster—a- great 
barrier to thorough investigation of a conte by private 
parties. 
