purpose of which they could have had no idea.  The burying-ground was a fairy-like spot in the midst of a scrub of drooping acacias.  It was extensive and laid out in walks which were narrow and smooth, as if intended only for sprites; and they meandered in gracefully curved lines among the heaps of reddish earth which contrasted finely with the acacias and dark casuarinae around.  Others gilt with moss shot far into the recesses of the bush, where slight traces of still more ancient graves proved the antiquity of these simple but touching records of humanity.  With all our art we could do no more for the dead than these poor savages had done.  As we approached Nyngan we crossed a plain on which we killed a kangaroo which afforded a seasonable supply, for our stock of pork was nearly exhausted; and two men were now so ill as to require to be carried in the light covered waggon.  We encamped at Nyngan near a large pond of water.

ANOTHER BULLOCK FAILS.

August 29.

One of the bullocks had sunk in the mud while drinking at the pond, and when at length it was drawn out it was so weak as to be unable to stand.  I therefore halted this day in hopes he would recover before next morning.

NATIVES TROUBLESOME.

Our friends the blacks had been rather forward during the night, and throughout this day they lay about my tent pointing to their empty stomachs, and behaving in a contemptuous manner, although we had given them most of our kangaroo.  At length I determined to send them off, if this could be done without quarrelling with them.  I directed Burnett to take some men with fixed bayonets and march in line towards them.  This move answered very well, the natives receded to a distance, perfectly understanding our object; but there sat down, and made their fires.  Only two came up next morning, again pointing to their stomachs; but I knew from experience that to feed them was to retain them permanently in our camp and now I did not want them, and had no food to spare.

August 30.

The bullock could not be made to rise and we were after all obliged to leave him.  When we proceeded the natives remained behind, of course intending to kill and eat the poor animal.

SUCCESSFUL CHASE OF FOUR KANGAROOS.

This day in crossing a plain I saw, with my glass, the head of a kangaroo in the grass at a distance.  We ran the dogs towards it, when two got up.  One dog, named Nelson, killed the smallest and threw it over his head, all the while keeping his eye on the other, which he immediately pursued and also killed.  He then saw and took after a third, a very large forest kangaroo; and this also he seized and fought with, until Burnett got up to his assistance.  About three miles further a fourth kangaroo was seen and killed by the same dog, so that we obtained abundance of fresh provisions for several days.  We encamped in our old position of the 9th of May.

NATIVES OF THE BOGAN COME UP.