HONESTY OF A NATIVE. 
141 
the natives not only intimated this to us, but it was un- 
questionable that they themselves had deserted them, and 
had crowded to such places as still contained a supply of 
water. Even in retreating, we could not hope to retrace 
our steps. Experience had proved to us, that the dry state 
of the interior was as injurious to the movements of an 
expedition as a too wet season would have been. Taking 
everything, therefore, into consideration, I determined on 
leaving the party stationary, and on crossing the Darling 
to the N.W., and, if any encouraging feature presented 
itself, to return for the party, and persevere in an examina- 
tion of the distant interior. Such, at least, appeared to me 
the most judicious plan : indeed, an attempt to have moved 
in any other direction would have been fruitless. And, as 
the result of this journey would be decisive, and would 
either fix or determine our advance or retreat, I was anx- 
ious for Mr. Hume’s attendance. 
The natives followed to the camp, and in the course of 
the afternoon, were joined by their women. The latter, 
however, would not approach nearer than the top of a little 
hillock on which they sat. The men did not come round 
the tents, but stood in a row at a short distance. At 
sunset, they gained a little courage, and wandered about a 
little more ; at length they went off to the Darling. 
It was quite dark, when I heard a native call from the 
hill on which the women had been, and I desired Hopkin- 
son to take his firelock and ascertain what the man 
wanted. He soon after returned, and brought a blanket, 
