262 
COPY OF DESPATCH. 
“ The whole of this extent of country is totally destitute of 
surface water —we have never met with a watercourse, or pool of 
any description, and all the water we have obtained since we 
left Streaky Bay has been by digging, generally in the large 
drifts of pure white sand close to the coast. This is a work fre- 
quently of much time and labour, as from the depth we have had 
to sink, and the looseness of the sand, the hole has often filled 
nearly as fast as we could clear it out; the water too thus ob- 
tained has almost always been brackish, occasionally salt. Lat- 
terly even this resource has failed us ; after digging a few feet 
we have been impeded by rock, which gradually approaching 
nearer the surface towards the head of the Great Bight, at last 
occupies its whole extent, unless where partially concealed by 
sand-drifts, or low sandy ridges covered with brush. We have 
seen no trees or timber of any kind of larger growth than the 
scrub, nor have we met with the Casuarinse since w T e left Streaky 
Bay. 
“ The natives along this coast are not very numerous ; those 
we have met with have been timid, but friendly, and in some in- 
stances have rendered us important assistance in guiding us 
through the brush, and shewing us where to dig for water — 
their language appears to be a good deal similar to that at King 
George’s Sound. When questioned about the interior towards 
the north, they invariably assert that there is no fresh water 
inland ; nor could we discover that they are acquainted with the 
existence of a large body of water of any kind in that direction. 
<c Hitherto the reduced condition of my horses, the nature of 
the country, and the season of the year, have effectually pre- 
vented my examining the interior beyond a very few miles from 
the coast. When we have once rounded the Bight (and I con- 
fidently hope to accomplish this), the country may perhaps alter 
its character so far as to enable me to prosecute the main object 
of the expedition, that of examining the Northern Interior. 
Should such unfortunately not be the case, I shall endeavour to 
examine the line of coast as far as practicable towards King 
