the head of Eyre’s Creek, and that further progress was effectually barred by a waterless tract of country.  In fact, he was then within reach of a well-watered river, along which he could have travelled right up to the main dividing range of the northern coast.  But Sturt was baffled in the most depressed area on the surface of the continent, where rivers and creeks lost their identity in the numberless channels into which they divided before reaching their final home in the thirsty shallows of the then unknown Lake Eyre.  There was neither sign nor clue afforded him; his men were sick, and any further progress would jeopardise his retreat.  There was nothing for it but to fall back once more; and, after a toilsome journey, they reached Fort Grey on the 2nd of October.

Sturt’s last effort had been made to the west of north; he now made up his mind for a final effort due north.  Before starting, however, he begged of Browne, who was still suffering, to retreat, while the way was yet open, to the Darling.  This Browne resolutely refused to do; stating that it was his intention to share the fate of the expedition.  The 9th of October saw Sturt again under way to the seemingly forbidden north, Stuart and two fresh men accompanying him.  On the second day they reached Strzelecki Creek, and on the 13th they came on to the bank of a magnificent channel, with fine trees growing on its grassy banks, and abundance of water in the bed.  This was the now well-known Cooper’s Creek, which Sturt, on his late trip, had crossed unnoticed, as it was then dry and divided into several channels on their route.  This was the most important discovery made in connection with the lake system, Cooper’s Creek being one of the far-reaching affluents, its tributaries draining the inland slopes of the main dividing range.

Sturt, on making this unexpected discovery, was undecided whether to follow Cooper’s Creek up to the eastward or persevere in his original intention of pushing to the north.  A thunder-storm falling at the time made him adhere to his original determination, and defer the examination of the new river until his return.

Seven days after crossing Cooper’s Creek, he had the negative satisfaction of seeing his gloomy forebodings fulfilled.  Once more he gazed over the dreary waste of the stony desert, unchanged and repellant as ever.  They crossed it, but were again turned back by sandhill and salt plain, and forced to retrace their steps to Cooper’s Creek.  This creek Sturt followed up for many days, but found that it came from a more easterly direction than the route he desired to travel along; moreover, the one broad channel that they had commenced to follow became divided into several ana-branches, running through plains subject to inundation.  This became so tiring to their now exhausted horses, who were woefully footsore, that he reluctantly turned back.  He had found the creek peopled with well-nurtured natives, and the prospects of advancing were brighter than they had ever been; but both Sturt and his men were weak and ill, and the horses almost incapable of further effort.  Moreover, he was not certain of his retreat.