TOWARDS THE HEAD OF THE BIGHT. 231 
miles, we came to large high drifts of pure white 
sand, from which some red- winged cockatoos and 
pigeons flew out, and near which were several 
native encampments. I now fully hoped to find 
water ; but after a long and anxious examination, 
was obliged to give up the search. I knew that our 
only hope of finding water lay in these drifts of 
’ sand ; but as it was frequently very difficult to find, 
and never could be procured without digging, 
(sometimes to a great depth,) I began to fear that 
our attempt to reach the head of the Bight was 
almost hopeless. We had no means of digging in 
the sand to any depth ; whilst, from the constant 
drift, caused by the winds among these bare hills, 
it was exceedingly disagreeable to remain even for 
a short time to examine them. The wind was 
blowing strong, and whirlwinds of sand were circling 
around us, with a violence which we could scarcely 
struggle against, and during which we could hardly 
venture either to open our eyes, or to draw our 
breath. 
Leaving the sand-drifts we travelled behind the 
coast ridge through a more open but still sandy 
country, making a long stage to some more high 
bare sand-drifts, amidst which we again made a 
long but unsuccessful search for water ; at night we 
encamped near them, and our unfortunate horses 
were again obliged to be tied up for the second time 
without either grass or water. 
November 24. — - Finding that there was little 
