202 
Captain Sturt's Expedition into the 
a hill to the westward of that he intended, in consequence of 
which he had led us deeper into the forest than we had imagined, 
and all hope of immediate escape from it vanished. Under such 
circumstances, I thought best to send Mr. Poole with the horses 
and sheep on a-head, to ensure them water as soon as possible, 
whilst I myself should remain with Mr. Browne to assist the 
bullock drivers. It was to no purpose that they urged the poor 
animals up one ridge; their descent to another was immediate, 
and they fairly cried over their troubles. I now double-lapsed 
the teams, leaving three drays behind ; and hoping that we should 
get on, but the fearful heat rendered it impossible. The sun had 
nearly set, and we were still toiling in that dark brush without a 
chance of escape. At Mr. Browne’s suggestion, therefore, I 
unyoked the cattle altogether from the drays, and leaving a 
certain number of men with them, pushed on for the creek with 
the cattle under Mr. Browne’s guidance. About 9 a.m., we 
broke through the pine scrub, and got on hard plains, on which 
we rounded up the bullocks till the moon should rise. At 11 
p.m., she appeared above the horizon, when we roused the 
animals, and pushed on. They were, however, exceedingly weak, 
and two dropped, and were left behind. Mr. Browne had pre¬ 
served a very straight line, and about 2 a.m., we found ourselves 
on the creek, and soon afterwards joined Mr. Poole, who had 
halted on the bank of a muddy lagoon, there being no water in 
the creek itself. On leaving the men with the drays in the pine 
forest, I had ascertained that the quantity of water they had was 
sufficient for their use until I should send more; but as I was 
aware of the improvidence of men under such circumstances, 1 
lost no time in sending Morgan for the empty casks, and for 
something for ourselves to eat. He ought to have returned in 
the course of the evening, but did not make his appearance until 
late on the following day, when he came without anything, and 
stated that on his return, he had stopped to let the horses feed, 
but unfortunately he fell fast asleep, and the horses strayed 
away, so that he was obliged to leave their loads behind. I 
was exceedingly provoked at this, but there was no help for it. 
I directed Flood to go for the things Morgan had left; and on 
