156 
Overland Expedition 
taking were over) he was disinclined to continue the ex¬ 
pedition, and would rather have attempted to re-cross the 
fearful country behind us, in the vain hope of being able to 
return to Fowler’s Bay, where we had left a considerable depot 
of provisions. This dispiriting impression became, unfor¬ 
tunately, conveyed also to all the native boys, and eventually 
became the cause of an occurrence as frightful, as it was fatal 
to the poor fellow with whom it had originated. In the earlier 
stages of the expedition, the three native boys had behaved 
wefi, and been very serviceable ) but as we advanced this good 
conduct gradually disappeared, and added to our other 
annoyances. Not long after leaving Fowler’s Bay, it became 
necessary lor the whole party to walk ; and though the native 
boys were allowed to ride long after myself and the overseer 
had given it up, it at last became imperative, from the state of 
the horses, that they also should be dismounted. This, added 
to the insufficient quantity of food which our low state of pro¬ 
visions allowed to each individual, made the three boys 
gloomy and sulky, and we had frequently much trouble in 
getting them to assist in any way; and then the little they 
f erformed was rarely done with cheerfulness and good humour. 
t was impossible to make them understand the necessity of 
the case. As long as ever a horse could walk, they con¬ 
sidered it a hardship not to ride ; and as long as there was an 
ounce of provisions left, they considered themselves ill-used it 
not allowed to eat to excess. It was of no avail telling them, 
that if the horses were ridden they could never get through 
the journey, and that we should have to carry everything our¬ 
selves—or, that if we consumed the little stock of provisions 
we had all at once, we must starve afterwards. The fact ot 
myself and the overseer walking and living upon the same 
allowance of food as themselves, was no argument to them ; 
and we could not dissipate a sullen, discontented humour. 
This sullcnncss of disposition became much augmented, when 
they perceived that the overseer himself was doubtful and 
disheartened at our future prospects ; and I do really think 
their impression was, that we should never accomplish the 
journey we had undertaken. In this frame of mind it was 
that they deserted from the party (April 22nd), after being 
detected stealing the provisions during the night; a practice 
they had continued for some days before they were found out. 
After an absence of four days they returned, and begged to be 
forgiven, stating that they were unable to procure food of any 
kind for themselves. As they were freely received again, I 
had strong hopes that their future conduct would be better; 
but it would appear from the sequel that they were stjl un¬ 
willing to continue to prosecute the journey, that they still 
looked back with longing to the provisions left at howlers 
Bay, and that they had only rejoined the party again With the 
