INTERCOUKSE WITH THE NATIVES. 179 
ments. They proved a most available stock ; no waste at- 
tended their slaughter, and they admitted of a necessary 
and wholesome change of fresh food from the general salt 
diet, on which the men would otherwise have had to subsist. 
The provisions should, if possible, be issued weekly, 
and their diminution should be so regulated as to sive an 
equal relief to the animals. 
For general information I have annexed a list of the sup- 
plies I took with me on my first expedition. It may appear 
long, but the articles were packed in a small compass, and 
their value immaterial. 
As a precautionary measure I should advise, that one of 
the pack animals be kept apart for the purpose of carrying 
water. Two casks of equal weight are the best for such 
a purpose. In long and hot marches, the men experience 
great relief from having water at hand. 
In reference to the natives, I hope sufficient has been 
said of the manner of communicating with them to pre- 
vent the necessity of a repetition here. The great point is 
not to alarm their natural timidity : to exercise patience 
in your intercourse with them ; to treat them kindly ; and 
to watch them with suspicion, especially at night. Never 
permit the men to steal away from the camp, but keep 
them as compact as possible j and at every station so 
arrange your drays and provisions that they may serve as 
a defence in case of your being attacked. 
The natives appeared to me to be indiflerent to our pre- 
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