CHAPTER III.

Continued drought—­terrific effect of hot wind—­thermometer
bursts—­death of poor Bawley—­find the stockade deserted—­leave Fort grey
for the depot—­difference of seasons—­migration of birds—­hot
winds—­embarrassing position—­Mr. Browne starts for Flood’s creek—­three
bullocks shot—­commencement of the retreat—­arrival at Flood’s
creek—­state of vegetation—­effects of scurvy—­arrive at rocky
glen—­comparison of native tribes—­halt at Carnapaga—­arrival at
Cawndilla—­removal to the Darling—­leave the Darling—­state of the
river—­oppressive heat—­visited by Nadbuck—­arrival at Moorundi.

By half past eleven of the 9th November we had again got quietly settled, and I then found leisure to make such arrangements as might suggest themselves for our further retreat.  To insure the safety of the animals as much as possible, I determined to leave all my spare provisions and weightier stores behind, and during the afternoon we were engaged making the loads as compact and as light as we could.

It was not, however, the fear of the water in Strzelecki’s Creck having dried up, that was at this moment the only cause of anxiety to me, for I thought it more than probable that Mr. Browne had been obliged to retreat from Fort Grey, in which case I should still have a journey before me to the old Depot of 170 miles or more, under privations, to the horses at least, of no ordinary character; and I had great doubts as to the practicability of our final retreat upon the Darling.  The drought had now continued so long, and the heat been so severe, that I apprehended we might be obliged to remain another summer in these fearful solitudes.  The weather was terrifically hot, and appeared to have set in unusually early.

Under such circumstances, and with so many causes to render my mind anxious, the reader will believe I did not sleep much.  The men were as restless as myself, so that we commenced our journey before the sun had risen on the morning of the 10th of November, to give the horses time to take their journey leisurely.  Slowly we retraced our steps, nor did I stop for a moment until we had got to within five miles of our destination, at which distance we saw a single native running after us, and taking it into my head that he might be a messenger from Mr. Browne, I pulled