176 PACK-OXEN, HORSES, WHEEL-CARRIAGES. 
establish nightly guards, not only for the security of the 
camp, but of the cattle, and at the same time to have a 
force strong enough to maintain an obstinate resistance 
against any number of savages, where no mercy is to be ex- 
pected. It will be borne in mind, that there is a wide dif- 
ference between penetrating into a country in the midst of 
its population, and landing from ships for the purpose of 
communication or traffic. Yet, how few voyages of dis- 
covery have terminated without bloodshed ! Boats while 
landing are covered by their ships, and have succour within 
view ; but not so parties that go into unknown tracts. They 
must depend on their immediate resources and individual 
courage alone. 
With regard to the animals, I should recommend an 
equal number of horses as of bullocks ; since it has been 
found that the latter, though slow, travel better over 
swampy ground than horses, which, on the other hand, are 
preferable for expeditious journeys, to which bullocks would 
never be equal. One of the colonial pack-saddles weighs 
fifty pounds complete, and is preferable to those sent out 
from England. This, with a load of 250 lbs. is sufficient 
for any animal, since it enables the men to place a part of 
their provisions with the general loads. The difficulty of 
keeping the backs of the animals free from injury, more es- 
pecially where any blemish has before existed, is exceedingly 
great. They should undergo an examination twice a-day, 
that is, in the morning prior to moving off, and in the af- 
ternoon before they are turned out to feed ; and measures 
