Find some edible Zamia nuts.

Kaiber here brought in some of the nuts of the Zamia tree; they were dry and therefore in a fit state to eat.  I accordingly shared them amongst the party.  Several of the men then straggled off to look for more, and were imprudent enough, before I found out what they were doing, to eat several of the nuts which were not sufficiently dried, the consequences of which were that they were seized with violent fits of vomiting accompanied by vertigo and other distressing symptoms; these however gradually abated during the night, and in the morning, although rendered more weak than they were before, the poor fellows were still able to resume their march.

Generous conduct of one of the men.

Soon after the fires had been lighted I was sitting alone by mine, as the shadows of night were just falling over the wild hilly scenery with which we were surrounded; I had no water to cook a portion of the three spoonfuls of arrowroot yet left me, and I saw each of the others preparing his scanty portion of food.  The native had at this time gone away to look for Zamia nuts, and it may be imagined that many almost undefined feelings at such a time thronged rapidly through my mind.  Whilst thus thinking I heard Hackney propose to Woods to offer me a share of their little store of food:  “No,” said Woods; “everyone for himself under these circumstances; let Mr. Grey do as well as he can and I will do the same.”  “Well then I shall give him some of mine at all events,” said Hackney; and a few minutes afterwards he came up to my fire and pressed me to accept a morsel of damper about the size of a walnut.  I hesitated at first whether to do so or not, but, being aware that when we came into a country where game was to be found I could, by means of my gun, provide enough amply to repay this lad, I took it, after several refusals and having it as often warmly pressed upon me.

I was much affected by the kindness of Hackney, who was a young American; and I regret to add that I felt more hurt than I ought to have done at the remark of Woods.

CHAPTER 4.  FROM GAIRDNER’S RANGE TO PERTH.

The hill river.

Sunday April 14.

We travelled about fourteen miles due south over a range of high ironstone hills which were occasionally clothed with grass-trees.  The scrub was however still thick, prickly, and very difficult to penetrate; the heat was intense and the whole party were getting very weak.  About noon, and when we had just gained a commanding summit, I looked back at Mount Perron, now several miles in our rear; from this point we began to descend into an extensive valley, and at the end of fourteen miles reached a small river which I named the Hill.

Discovery and pillage of A native provision store.