Interior of New Holland. 
257 
camp was one of the most barren description. In order to keep 
the men employed, and, as it is generally said, out of mischief, I 
set them to raise a mound of stone, in the shape of a pyramid, 
on the summit of Mount Poole; and I little imagined, whilst I 
was so employed, that I was rearing his monument. He lies 
within view of that rude pyramid, which it will take time long to 
During the first month of our sojourn at the depot the heat was 
intolerable; yet the sheep throve well, and weighed more than 
when we got them, but there was a stop to any growth of their 
wool, as well as our own hair, which crackled like a cat’s back, 
and became perfectly dry and crisp. 
Day after day I watched the water in the creek sink ; inch by 
inch it lowered, until from a depth of 17 feet it was only 2£. In 
another month, if rain had not fallen, the channel would have been 
as dry as the plains on either side of it. But I looked upon this 
—which, it we had had no other supply to rely upon would hatte 
been fearful to contemplate,—without emotion, and was truly 
thankful to Providence for having directed our steps to a place of 
permanent safety ; the only one that burning and trackless desert 
possessed. 
It may not be necessary for me to specify the numerous journeys 
undertaken during our long and lonely stay at the dep6t. The 
months of May and June flew over our heads, and yet no rain 
fell. The sky was generally clouded at the full of the moon ; but 
the queen of night chased them from before her with most singular 
power. I have seen a dense mass of clouds rise simultaneously 
with the moon at opposite points in the heavens; and I have seen 
them gradually driven back until the sky has presented an unsul¬ 
lied blue, and the intense moonlight injurious to the vision more 
than the fiery glare of the sun at noonday. About the beginning 
of June I first entertained the idea of dividing my party, and 
sending Mr. Poole home with six of the men. I saw that 
for months past we had been consuming our provisions, and that 
unless I did so I should not have enough to extend my investiga¬ 
tions. There were many circumstances that rendered it a painful 
task for me to communicate my intentions to Mr. Poole, and 
