100 
RETURN HOMEWARDS. 
From my present elevation, th^ lake was seen bend- 
ing round to the N. E., and I became aware that it 
would be a barrier to all efforts to the north. My 
horses were suffering, too, from want of water and 
food ; and I had, therefore, no alternative but to 
turn back from so inhospitable and impracticable a 
country. 
With a heavy heart, and many misgivings as 
to the future, I retreated from the dismal scene, 
and measured back my steps as rapidly as possible 
towards the creek where our stock of water was 
buried. From the state in which our horses were, 
I knew, that to save their lives, it was necessary to 
get them to water without loss of time, and I there- 
fore continued our homeward course during the 
whole night, and arrived early in the morning at 
the place where I had parted from the cart. 
August 15. — It was now necessary to use great 
caution in the management of our jaded animals. 
During the last two days we had ridden them fully 
100 miles over a heavy country, without food or 
water; and for the last twenty-four hours they had 
never had a moment’s rest ; and now we had only 
twelve gallons of water for three horses and ourselves, 
and were still fifty miles away from the depot, 
without the possibility of getting a further supply 
until our arrival there. 
Having hobbled the horses out for an hour, we 
watched them until they had rested a little, and 
got cool. I then gave them half of our supply of 
