setting, and found abundance of water by digging two feet deep in the sand.  Gave the horses as much as I considered safe for them to have at one time.  I have never seen horses in such a state before and hope never to do so again.  The horses, which four days ago were strong and in good condition, now appeared only skeletons, eyes sunk, nostrils dilated, and thoroughly exhausted.  Since leaving Eucla to getting water at this spot, a period of nearly ninety hours, they had only been allowed one gallon of water each, which was given them from our water-drums.  It is wonderful how well they performed this journey; had they not started in good condition they never could have done it.  We all felt very tired.  During the last sixty hours I have only had about five hours’ sleep, and have been continually in a state of anxiety—­besides which, all have had to walk a great deal.

July 18th. This is a great day in my journal and journey.  After collecting the horses we followed along the beach half a mile, when I struck N. for Peelunabie Well, and at half a mile struck a cart track from Fowler’s Bay to Peelunabie.  After following it one mile and a quarter, came to the well, and old sheep yards, and camped.  Found better water in the sand-hills than in the well.  There is a board nailed on a pole directing to the best water, with the following engraved on it:  “G.  Mackie, April 5th, 1865, water—­120 yards.”  Upon sighting the road this morning, which I had told them we should do, a loud and continued hurrahing came from all the party, who were overjoyed to find signs of civilization again; while Billy, who was in advance with me, and whom I had told to look out, as he would see a road directly, which he immediately did, began giving me great praise for bringing them safely through a long journey.  I certainly felt very pleased and relieved from anxiety, and, on reviewing the long line of march we had performed through an uncivilized country, was very sensible of that protecting Providence which had guided us safely through the undertaking.

Before I conclude I have the pleasing duty to record my entire appreciation of every member of the party.  I need not particularize as one and all had the interest and welfare of the expedition at heart, and on no occasion uttered a single murmur.  Finally, sir, my best and most sincere thanks are due to His Excellency Governor Weld for the very efficient manner in which the expedition was equipped.  It is chiefly owing to the great zeal and desire of His Excellency that I should have everything necessary, that the success of the enterprise is attributable.

I have, etc.

JOHN FORREST, Leader of Expedition.

The Hon. F.P.  Barlee, Esq., Colonial Secretary, W.A.

FROM WEST TO EAST. II.  THE INTERIOR

+Source.+—­Explorations in Australia (John Forrest, 1875), pp. 149-162, 188, 201, 257, 261