70 Mr. Gettibrand's Memoranda of 



Seat. We rested here and made a fire. Some of the party- 

 proceeded in search of water, which, however, was very 

 Brackish. We had our breakfast and consumed what little 

 water was left — two bottles of the brackish water was boiled 

 with tea, in the event of not finding better water. 



After resting at this place about half an hour, we proceeded 

 on our journey about five miles, and then discovered several 

 native huts, and, to our great joy and gratitude, found a creek 

 with an abundant supply of water. We rested at this place 

 about two hours, filled our bottles, and proceeded on our 

 journey about six miles, and came to some more waterholes 

 and native huts. We dined at this spot, took a fresh supply 

 of water, and proceeded on our journey, and came to an open, 

 sandy bay, about thirty or forty miles long. We continued 

 walking until about six o'clock, when the weather became 

 squally and wet. We walked for about half an hour, and had 

 intended to do so until late at night, but the rain increasing, 

 we thought it most prudent to get some shelter before it was 

 dark. We then went into the scrub and found a sheltered 

 spot. We made a blanket hut to protect us from the rain, 

 with a large fire in front. We soon found a large quantity 

 of blue ants on the ground which we had selected for our 

 resting place, and I therefore, as it was too late to move our 

 tent, spread the ashes all over the ground, which had the 

 effect of driving them away. It continued raining till about 

 two o'clock, but as we were lying on a sand bank the rain 

 was all absorbed. 



Jan. 30. — We started this morning about half an hour be- 

 fore daylight, and continued walking till eight o'clock, with- 

 out finding any fresh water. We then rested, and had our 

 breakfast and about half a pint of tea to each person, which 

 was all the water we had left, and we then continued our 

 journey, expecting at every turn of the bay that we should 

 discover the river. We continued walking till twelve 

 o'clock, when Mr. Leake and Tom laid down, declaring they 

 could not proceed any further till they got water. We had 

 now quitted the shore and got upon high land again. After 

 resting on the hill about half an hour, I urged upon the 

 party to proceed, and after some difficulty we were all upon 

 the march, but some of the party were a considerable distance 

 behind. We were now upon a native track, and the advan- 

 tage of following those tracks was soon experienced. The track 

 continued along the margin of the hill, and ultimately led us 

 to the beach, and near the beach we found a few native huts 



