Embark stores—­party leave streaky bay—­dense SCRUE—­point
brown—­singular well—­process of change in appearance of country—­dig for
water—­friendly natives—­extraordinary rite—­native guides—­LEIPOA’S
nest—­denial bay—­Beelimah gaippe—­kangaroo killed—­more
natives—­Berinyana gaippe—­salt lakes—­Wademar gaippe—­sandy and scrubby
country—­Mobeela gaippe—­difficulty of getting water—­more
natives—­genuine hospitality—­singular marks on the abdomen—­natives
leave the party—­Fowler’s bay—­excellent whaling station.

November 4.—­To-day the party were occupied in sorting and packing stores, which I intended to send on board the Waterwitch to Fowler’s Bay, that by lightening the loads upon the drays, we might the more easily force a passage through the dense scrub which I knew we had to pass before we reached that point.  In the afternoon the men were engaged in shearing the remainder of our sheep, washing their own clothes and preparing everything for breaking up the camp, whilst I rode down to Streaky Bay, and went on board the cutter to give orders relative to the reception of our stores tomorrow.

The harbour of Streaky Bay is extensive, but generally open to the westward.  In its most southerly bight, however, is a secure well sheltered bay, for vessels of moderate draught of water; being protected by a long sandy shoal which must be rounded before a vessel can enter.

[Note 23:  A plan of this harbour was made by Mr. Cannan, one of the Government assistant surveyors of South Australia, when sent by the Government in a cutter to meet my party with provisions in 1839.]

November 5.—­To-day we were engaged in carting down the stores and a supply of water to the cutter, which we got safely on board, when I gave written instructions to the master to sail at once, and land a cask of water, a little higher up the bay, for the use of the horses.  In the evening the drays were loaded and all got ready for our departure to-morrow.

November 6.—­Having had the horses watched last night we were enabled to move away early, and about noon arrived at the place I had appointed Mr. Germain to land the cask of water:  it was all ready, and we watered the horses, took luncheon and moved on again, directing Mr. Germain to proceed to Smoky Bay, and land water for us again there.  The country we passed through to-day was low, level, and sandy, and covered with prickly grass, with a few tea-tree swamps, but no fresh water.  The shore of Streaky Bay on its western side was bounded by