by water; and as I have stated my impression that the current from the north, passed through vast openings, both to the eastward and westward of the province of South Australia, it as necessarily follows, that that province must also have been an island.  I hope it will be understood that I started with the supposition that the continent of Australia was formerly an archipelago of islands, but that some convulsion, by which the central land has been raised, has caused the changes I have suggested.  It was still a matter of conjecture what the real character of Central Australia really was, for its depths had been but superficially explored before my recent attempt.  My own opinion, when I commenced my last expedition, inclined me to the belief, and perhaps this opinion was fostered by the hope that such would prove to be the case, as well as by the reports of the distant natives, which invariably went to confirm it, that the interior was occupied by a sea of greater or less extent, and very probably by large tracts of desert country.

With such a conviction I commenced my recent labours, although I was not prepared for the extent of desert I encountered—­with such a conviction I returned to the abodes of civilized man.  I am still of opinion that there is more than one sea in the interior of the Australian continent, but such may not be the case.  All I can say is, Would that I had discovered such a feature, for I could then have done more upon its waters tenfold, than I was enabled to accomplish in the gloomy and burning deserts over which I wandered during more than thirteen months.  My readers, however, will judge for themselves as to the probable correctness of my views, and also as to the probable character of the yet unexplored interior, from the data the following pages will supply.  I have recorded my own impressions with great diffidence, claiming no more credit than may attach to an earnest desire to make myself useful, and to further geographical research.  My desire is faithfully to record my own feelings and impulses under peculiar embarrassments, and as faithfully to describe the country over which I wandered.

My career as an explorer has probably terminated for ever, and only in the cause of humanity, had any untoward event called for my exertions, would I again have left my home.  I wish not to hide from my readers the disappointment, if such a word can express the feeling, with which I turned my back upon the centre of Australia, after having so nearly gained it; but that was an achievement I was not permitted to accomplish.

CHAPTER II.

Preparations for departure—­arrival at Moorundi—­native guides—­names of
the party—­sir John Barrow’s minute—­reports of Laidley’s ponds—­climate
of the Murray—­progress up the river—­arrival at lake Bonney—­grassy
plains—­Camboli’s home—­tragical events in that neighbourhood—­Pulcanti—­
arrival at the Rufus—­visit to the native families—­return of Mr. Eyre
to Moorundi—­departure of Mr. Browne to the eastward.