Explorations of Australia. 159 



required the fortitude of a Sturt to bear up with his fate. How- 

 ever, by a skilful plan and by the most praiseworthy perseverance 

 of his companions, the retreat was effected in safety, the country 

 being previously reconnoitered for water by Mr. Browne as far 

 as Flood's Creek, a then waterless distance of 118 miles. A supply 

 for men and animals was carried part of the way in hides, and the 

 retreat was achieved in two days and three nights. On two 

 occasions again the heat exceeded 130° in the shade, and 

 approached to 160° in the sun. The water evaporated in the 

 creeks at the rate of 1 inch per day. 



The exploration of Cape York peninsula in 1848, under Mr. 

 Kennedy, although not fruitful in important results, stands on 

 record as one of the most dreadful in the annals of geography, 

 ending, almost at the point of its accomplishment, in the loss of 

 one of the most talented and philanthropic explorers of which 

 Australia can boast, and in the consequent almost total destruction 

 of his party. 



Mr. Kennedy landed in Rockinham Bay ; but, such was the 

 difficulty of forcing his way through the jungles and morasses, and 

 such the unhealthiness of the climate, that, after two months' 

 struggling with endless impediments, he found himself yet within 

 thirty miles of his landing-placa At last he succeeded in crossing 

 the coast swamps and the scrubby dividing range, and in the pro- 

 gress of his journey northward he was rewarded with the discovery 

 of the main branch of the Mitchell River, and many of its 

 tributaries. 



Leaving the granitic ridges behind him, he followed the waters 

 of the Kennedy River to Princess Charlotte Bay. 



At the depot at Weymouth Bay, only two of his followers 

 survived their sufferings, the rest sinking under illness and 

 starvation. 



The young and accomplished leader fell under the spears of 

 the savages, near Port Albany, and his faithful native alone 

 reached the vessel awaiting them at Albany Island. Two of 

 the party, left behind to attend to a dying man, were also never 

 rescued, whilst only two of those encamped at Weymouth Bay 

 were saved when on the brink of death. 



During part of the years 1848 and 1849, Lieutenant Roe, 

 Surveyor-General of West Australia, accompanied by Messrs. 

 H. Gregory and Ritly, extended his survey as far as Russell 

 Range, a low granitic chain, on the west point of the Australian 

 Bight, many tracts of Western Australia having been opened, 

 also by Mr. Roe's labours in former years. Brewer Range and 

 Dundas Hills were the northernmost points attained, and coal 



