114 INTERCOURSE WITH NATIVES. 
every thing got ready for breaking up our encamp- 
ment on the morrow, as the party had been fifteen 
days in depot, and little else than mud remained 
in the hole which had supplied them with water. 
August 25. — Slight showers during the night, 
and the day dark and cloudy, with rather an oppres- 
sive atmosphere. The horses had strayed during 
the night, so that it was nine o’clock before we got 
away. 
We had scarcely left the place of encampment 
when shoutings were heard, and signal fires lit up in 
every direction by the natives, to give warning I 
imagine of our being abroad, and to call stragglers 
to their camp. These people had still remained in 
our immediate vicinity, and were now assembled in 
very considerable numbers on the brow of one of 
the front ridges, to watch us pass by. They would 
not approach us, but as the drays moved on kept 
running in a line with them, at some distance, and 
occasionally shouting and gesticulating in an unin- 
telligible manner. 
In our first and only intercourse with these 
natives, we had unfortunately given them just cause 
of offence, and I was most anxious, if possible, before 
leaving, to efface the unfavourable impression which 
they had received. Letting the drays therefore 
move on, I remained behind with Mr. Scott, leading 
our horses, and trying to induce some of the natives 
to come up to us ; for a long time, however, our 
efforts were in vain, but at last I succeeded in per- 
