DISHEARTENING PROSPECTS. 343 
inequalities of the ground, and the circuit we were 
frequently obliged to make, we could not hope to 
accomplish this in less than 800 miles of distance. 
With every thing in our favour we could not 
expect to accomplish this in less than eight weeks ; 
but with all the impediment and embarrassments 
we were likely to meet with, it would probably take 
us twelve. Our sheep were reduced to three in num- 
ber, and our sole stock of flour now amounted to 
142 pounds, to be shared out amongst five persons, 
added to which the aspect of the country before us 
was disheartening in the extreme ; the places at 
which there was any likelihood of finding water were 
probably few and far apart, and the strength of our 
horses was already greatly reduced by the hardships 
they had undergone. Ever since we had left Fow- 
ler’s Bay, the whole party, excepting the youngest 
boys, had been obliged chiefly to walk, and yet every 
care and precaution we could adopt were unable to 
counteract the evil effects of a barren country, and 
an unfavourable season of the year. The task be- 
fore us was indeed a fearful one, but I firmly hoped 
by patience and perseverance, safely and successfully 
to accomplish it at last. 
During nearly the whole time that my party were 
away the weather was cool and cloudy. Occasionally 
there was a great deal of thunder and lightning, ac- 
companied by a few drops of rain, but it always 
cleared away without heavy showers. The storms 
came up from seawards, and generally passed inland 
