178 
COPY OF DESPATCH. 
named Mount Serle ; it is situated in 30 o 30' south latitude, 
and about 139° 10' east longitude, and is the first point from 
which I obtained a view of Lake Torrens to the eastward of 
Flinders range, and discovered that I was hemmed in on every 
side by a barrier it was impossible to pass. I had now no alter- 
native left me, but to conduct my party back to Mount Arden, 
and then decide what steps I should adopt to carry out the objects 
of the expedition. It was evident, that to avoid Lake Torrens, 
and the low desert by which it is surrounded, I must go very 
far either to the east or to the west before again attempting to 
penetrate to the north. 
tf My party had already been upwards of three months absent 
from Adelaide, and our provisions were too much reduced to 
admit of our renewing the expedition in either direction, with- 
out first obtaining additional supplies. The two following were 
therefore the only plans which appeared feasible to me, or 
likely to promote the intentions of the colonists, and effect the 
examination of the northern interior : — 
" First — To move my party to the southward, to endeavour to 
procure supplies from the nearest stations north of Adelaide, and 
then, by crossing to the Darling, to trace that river up until I 
found high land leading to the north-west. 
“ Secondly — To cross over to Streaky Bay, send from thence to 
Port Lincoln for supplies, and then follow the line of coast to the 
westward, until I met with a tract of country practicable to the 
north. To the first of these plans were many objections; 
amongst the principal ones, were, the very unfavourable accounts 
given both by Captain Sturt, and Major Mitchell, of the country 
to the west of the Darling River —the fact of Captain Sturt’s 
having found the waters of that river salt during a continued 
ride of many days— the numerous tribes of natives likely to be 
met with, and the very small party I should have with me ; 
lastly, the course of the river itself, which trending so much 
to the eastward, would take us from, rather than towards the 
centre of this Continent. On the other hand, by crossing to the 
