Not however to be entirely dependent on the sheep, I purchased four cwt. of bacon from Mr. Johnson of the Reed Beds, near Adelaide, by whom it had been cured; and some of that bacon I brought back with me as sweet and fresh as when it was packed, after an exposure of eighteen months to an extreme of heat that was enough to try its best qualities.  I was aware that the sheep might be lost by negligence, or scattered in the event of any hostile collision with the natives; but I preferred trusting to the watchfulness of my men, and to past experience in my treatment of the natives, rather than to overload my drays.  The sequel proved that I was right.  Of the 200 sheep I lost only one by coup de soleil.  They proved a very valuable supply, and most probably prevented the men from suffering, as their officers did, from that fearful malady the scurvy.

I had them shorn before delivery, to prepare them for the warmer climate into which I was going.  And I may here remark, although I shall again have to allude to it, that their wool did not grow afterwards to any length.  It ceased indeed to grow altogether for many months, nor had they half fleeces after having been so long as a year and a half unshorn.

I did not see Flood at the Dust Hole; but continuing my journey, entered the belt of the Murray at 1 p.m., and reached Moorundi just as the sun set, after a ride of four hours through those dreary and stunted brushes.

My excellent friend, Mr. Eyre, had been long and anxiously expecting us.  Altogether superior to any unworthy feeling of jealousy that my services had been accepted on a field in which he had so much distinguished himself, and on which he so ardently desired to venture again, his efforts to assist us were as ceaseless as they were disinterested.  Whatever there was of use in his private store, whether publicly beneficial or for our individual comfort, he insisted on our taking.  He had had great trouble in retaining at Moorundi two of the most influential natives on the river to accompany us to Williorara (Laidley’s Ponds).  Mr. Eyre was quite aware of the importance of such attachees, and had spared no trouble in securing their services.  Their patience however had almost given way, and they had threatened to leave the settlement when fortunately we made our appearance, and all their doubts as to our arrival vanished.  Nothing but jimbucks (sheep) and flour danced before their eyes, and they looked with eager impatience to the approach of the drays.

These two natives, Camboli and Nadbuck, were men superior to their fellows, both in intellect and in authority.  They were in truth two fine specimens of Australian aborigines, stern, impetuous, and determined, active, muscular, and energetic.  Camboli was the younger of the two, and a native of one of the most celebrated localities on the Murray.  It bears about N.N.E. from Lake Bonney, where the flats are very extensive, and are intersected by numerous creeks and lagoons.  There, consequently, the population has always been greater than elsewhere on the Murray, and the scenes of violence more frequent.  Camboli was active, light-hearted, and confiding, and even for the short time he remained with us gained the hearts of all the party.