PAINFUL RETROSPECTIONS. 
S3 
which, judging from the rushes and grasses about 
it, and the many traces of native encampments, I 
imagine to be permanent. The lake itself was in a 
hollow sunk in the fossil formation, which was now 
very clearly recognisable in the high banks sur- 
rounding the lake, and which varied from sixty to a 
hundred and fifty feet in elevation, and were gene- 
rally pretty steep towards the shore. The day being 
fine I halted at this place to re-arrange the loads of 
the horses and take bearings. 
A year had now elapsed since I first entered upon 
the Northern Expedition. This day twelve months 
ago I had left Adelaide to commence the under- 
taking, cheered by the presence and good wishes of 
many friends, and proudly commanding a small but 
gallant party — alas, where were they now ? Painful 
and bitter were the thoughts that occupied my mind 
as I contrasted the circumstances of my departure 
then with my position now, and when I reflected 
that of all whose spirit and enterprise had led them 
to engage in the undertaking, two lone wanderers 
only remained to attempt its conclusion. 
June 19. — The dew was very heavy this morning, 
and we did not start until rather late, travelling 
through a very grassy country, abounding in fresh 
swamps of a soft peaty soil, and often with the broad 
flag-reed growing in them. All these places were 
boggy and impassable for horses. In attempting to 
cross one a horse sunk up to his haunches, and we 
had much difficulty in extricating him. At five 
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