Four years after his successful journey along the Bight, Forrest determined to explore the interior of Western Australia, and in so doing added greatly to the knowledge of that somewhat neglected State.

The success which had attended my previous expeditions, and the great encouragement received from the Government and public of each colony, made me wish to undertake another journey for the purpose of ascertaining whether a route from Western Australia to the advanced settlements of the Southern colony was practicable.  I also hoped to contribute, if possible, towards the solution of the problem, What is the nature of the Interior?  My first journey, when I succeeded in penetrating for about 600 miles into the unknown desert of Central Australia, had convinced me that, although there might, and doubtless would, be considerable difficulties to be encountered, there were no insuperable obstacles, except a probable failure in the supply of water.  That certainly was the most formidable of all the difficulties that would no doubt have to be encountered; but on the previous journey the scarcity of water had been endured, not without privation and suffering, but without any very serious result.

Stuart’s great feat of crossing the continent from south to north had been followed by other successful efforts in the same direction.  Another result was the establishing a line of telegraph from Adelaide to Port Darwin.  This might, therefore, be considered the eastern boundary of the unknown districts, and, moreover, was the point of departure for the South Australian expeditions in a westerly direction.  It was also the limit I desired to reach, and reaching it, I should achieve the object I had so much at heart.

On the 18th of March, 1874, the expedition quitted Perth.  The 19th was Sunday, and, according to practice, we rested.  Every Sunday throughout the journey I read Divine Service, and, except making the daily observations, only work absolutely necessary was done.  Whenever possible, we rested on Sunday, taking, if we could, a pigeon, a parrot, or other such game as might come in our way as special fare.  Sunday’s dinner was an institution for which, even in those inhospitable wilds, we had a great respect.

June 13th. About one o’clock Pierre saw a flock of emus coming to water, and went off to get a shot.  Kennedy followed with the rifle.  I climbed up on a small tree to watch them.  I was surprised to hear natives’ voices, and, looking towards the hills, I saw from forty to sixty natives running towards the camp, all plumed up and armed with spears and shields.  I was cool, and told Sweeny to bring out the revolvers; descended from the tree and got my gun, and coo-ed to Pierre and Kennedy, who came running.  By this time they were within sixty yards, and halted.  One advanced to meet me, and stood twenty yards off:  I made friendly signs; he did not appear very hostile.  All at once, one from behind (probably a chief) came