RETURN HOMEWARDS. 
69 
July 16. — Tracing down the watercourse we were 
encamped on, to the junction before mentioned, I 
steered a little more to the north, to ascend a high 
stony range, from which I hoped to obtain a view 
to the eastward ; but after considerable toil in 
climbing, and dragging our horses oyer loose 
rolling stones, which put them constantly in danger 
of falling back, I was not rewarded for the trouble 
I had taken : the view to the east was quite shut 
out by high rugged ranges of ironstone and quartz, 
whilst to the north, the hills appeared lower and 
more open. 
It now became a matter of serious consideration, 
whether I should pursue my researches any farther 
at present. I was already about 120 miles away 
from my party, with barely provisions enough to 
last me back ; and the country, in advance, ap- 
peared to be getting daily more difficult ; added to 
this, the “ Waterwitch” was waiting at the head of 
Spencer’s Gulf for my return. 
After reflecting on my position, I decided to rejoin 
my party without delay ; and descending the range 
to the S. E., I steered for a large watercourse we 
had crossed in the morning ; intending to trace it up, 
for the purpose of examining its branches. The bed 
of this watercourse, at first, was very wide, and lined 
with gum-trees ; but as 1 advanced, I found its 
channel became contracted, and very rocky, the 
gum-trees disappearing, and giving place to the 
salt-water tea-tree. By nightfall, I was unable to 
