and Callewatta (the upper Darling) and I accordingly determined to trace it up at least far enough to identify it with the latter.  But I thought it right that we should endeavour first to recognise the junction with the Murray as seen by Captain Sturt.  The natives said it was not far off; and I accordingly encamped at two o’clock that I might measure back to that important point.  Thirteen natives set out as if to accompany us, for they begged that we would not go so fast.  Three of them however soon set off at full speed as if on a message; and the remaining ten fell behind us.  We had then passed the camp of their gins and I supposed at the time that their only object was to see us beyond these females, Piper being with us.

RETURN BY NIGHT.

I pursued the river through a tortuous course until sunset when I was obliged to quit it and return to the camp by moonlight without having seen anything of the Murray.  I had however ascertained that the channel increased very much in width lower down and, when it was filled with the clay-coloured water of the flood then in the Murray, it certainly had the appearance of a river of importance.

FOLLOWED BY THE NATIVES.

June 1.

The country to the eastward seemed so dry and scrubby that I could not hope in returning to join Mr. Stapylton’s party or reach the Murray by any shorter route than that of our present track; and I therefore postponed any further survey back towards the junction of the Darling and Murray until I should be returning this way.  We accordingly proceeded upwards and were followed by the natives.  They were late in coming near us however which Piper and his gin accounted for as follows:  As soon as it was known to them, the day before, that we were gone to the junction, the strong men of the tribe went by a shorter route; but they were thrown out and disappointed by our stopping short of that promising point.  There they had passed the night and, having been busy looking for our track in the morning, the earth’s surface being to them a book they always read, they were late in following our party.

Kangaroos were more numerous and larger here than at any other part we had yet visited.  This day one coming before me I fired at it with my rifle; and a man beside me, after asking my permission, fired also.  The animal nevertheless ran amongst the party behind, some of whom hastily and without permission discharged their carabines also.

HORSES TAKE FRIGHT.

At this four horses took fright and ran back at full speed along our track.  Several of the men who went after these horses fell in with two large bodies of natives coming along this track, and one or two men had nearly fallen into their hands twice.

BREAK LOOSE AND RUN BACK.

Tantragee (McLellan) when running at full speed pursued by bands of savages escaped only by the opportune appearance of others of our men who had caught the horses and happened to come up.