56 
MOUNT EYRE. 
fell, and I found that I had got a severe attack of 
rheumatism, which proved both troublesome and 
painful. Pushing on for ten miles we reached the 
height standing out from the main range which 
Colonel Gawler named Mount Eyre, from its having 
been the limit of my first journey to the north in 
May 1839. This little hill is somewhat detached, 
of considerable elevation, and with a bold rocky 
overhanging summit to the southward. Having 
clambered to the top of it, I had an extensive view, 
and took several bearings. 
The region before us appeared to consist of a low 
sandy country without either trees or shrubs, save a 
few stunted bushes. On the east this was backed by 
high rugged ranges, very barren in appearance, 
and extending northward as far as the eye could 
reach, beyond this level country to the West, and 
stretching far to the north-west, appeared a broad 
glittering stripe, looking like water, and constituting 
the bed of Lake Torrens. The lake appeared to be 
about twenty -five miles off, and of considerable 
breadth ; but at so great distance, it was impossible 
to say whether there was actually any water in it or 
not. 
Having completed my observations we descended 
again to the plains steering north-west for the 
lake. At two miles from Mount Eyre we found 
a puddle of water in the midst of the plains, and 
halted at it for the night. Our horses had good 
grass, but would not touch the water, which was ex- 
