ENCAMP ON THIS RIVER.

I had the pain to learn however on reaching the camp about eleven o’clock, that Mr. Cunningham was still absent; and, what was worse, in all probability suffering from want of water.  I had repeatedly cautioned this gentleman about the danger of losing sight of the party in such a country; yet his carelessness in this respect was quite surprising.  The line of route, after being traversed by our carts, looked like a road that had been used for years, and it was almost impossible to doubt then that he would fall in with it next morning.

April 18.

We continued to fire shots and sound the bugle till eleven o’clock.  Our cattle were then ready to drink again and, as Mr. Cunningham was probably ahead of us, to proceed on our route to the Bogan without further delay was indispensable, in order that we might, in case of need, make such extensive search for him as was only possible from a camp where we could continue stationary.

We accordingly proceeded towards the Bogan, anxiously hoping that Mr. Cunningham would fall in with our line, and rejoin the party in the course of the day.  After proceeding due north eight miles we came upon the bed of this river; but, before I could find water in it, I had to trace its course some way up and down.  We at length encamped near a pond, and night advanced, but poor Mr. Cunningham came not!

CHAPTER 2.3.

Search for Mr. Cunningham. 
No traces to be seen. 
Supposed to have met with an accident. 
Souter and Murray sent back along the track. 
My search South-South-West 40 miles. 
Interview with two natives. 
Range of porphyry. 
Mr. Cunningham’s track found. 
Mr. Larmer and a party sent to trace it. 
Mr. Cunningham’s track followed for 70 miles, his horse found dead. 
His own footsteps traced. 
Mr. Larmer meets a tribe. 
The footsteps traced into the channel of the Bogan. 
Death of the Kangaroo. 
Reflections. 
Five natives brought to me with a silk handkerchief in their possession. 
Their names. 
The party halt at Cudduldury. 
Interview with the King of the Bogan. 
Muirhead and Whiting sent to examine the dry channel of the river. 
Search extended to the plains of the Lachlan. 
Camp of Natives. 
Pass the night in a hollow without water. 
View towards Mount Granard. 
A second night without water. 
Awoke by the forest on fire. 
Interview with three natives. 
Roots of trees sucked by the natives. 
Horses reach the camp with great difficulty. 
Part of Mr. Cunningham’s coat found.

SEARCH FOR MR. CUNNINGHAM.

April 19.

After an almost sleepless night I rose early, and could relieve my anxiety only by organising a search, to be made in different directions, and getting into movement as soon as possible.  The darkness of a second night of dreary solitude had passed over our fellow-traveller under the accumulated horrors of thirst, hunger, and despair!