A little before Mr. Eyre mounted his horse, I had sent Mr. Browne, with Flood and Pulcanti, to the eastward, to ascertain how high the backwaters of the Murray had gone up the Ana-branch of the Darling, since that ancient channel laid right in our way, and I was anxious if possible to run up it, rather than proceed to the river itself, as being a much nearer line.  In the afternoon Mr. Poole and I moved the camp over to the lake, and on the following day I directed him to ascertain its circumference, as we should be detained a day or two awaiting the return of Mr. Browne.

CHAPTER III.

Mr. Browne’s return—­his account of the country—­change of
scene—­continued rain—­Toonda joins the party—­story of the
massacre—­leave lake Victoria—­accident to flood—­turn northwards—­cross
to the Darling—­meet natives—­Toonda’s haughty manner—­Nadbuck’s
cunning—­abundance of feed—­sudden floods—­bad country—­arrival at
Williorara—­consequent disappointment—­perplexity—­Mr. Poole goes to the
ranges—­Mr. Browne’s return—­food of the natives—­position of Williorara.

Lake Victoria is a very pretty sheet of water, 24 miles in circumference {diameter in published text}, very shallow, and at times nearly dry.  As I have previously observed of Lake Bonney, it is connected with the Murray by the Rufus, and by this distribution of its waters, the floods of the Murray are prevented from being excessive, or rising above a certain height.

The southern shore of Lake Victoria is very picturesque, as well as the line of the Rufus.  The latter however is much wooded, whereas the S.W. shore of the lake is low and grassy, and beautiful umbrageous trees adorn it, in number not more than two or three to the acre.  As Mr. Poole was engaged near me, I remained stationary on the 13th, but on the following day moved the camp seven miles to the westward, for his convenience.  On the 15th I again moved so as to keep pace with him, and was highly delighted at the really park-like appearance of the scenery.  This pretty locality is now occupied as a cattle run, and must be a place of amusement as well as profit.

We met Mr. Browne and Flood on their return to the camp from the journey on which I had sent them, about an hour before we halted.

Mr. Browne informed me that the day he left me he rode for some miles along the shore of the lake, and that after leaving it he encamped in the scrub, having travelled about seventeen miles.  The brush was very dense, although there were open intervals; it consisted of trees and shrubs of the usual kind, the soil was very sandy, and there was a good deal of spinifex upon it.