stocked; and nearly all the country as far as the head of the Gulf is more or less adapted for grazing.  Pray return my best thanks to his Excellency for the abundant supply of stores we have received by the Waterwitch—­especially for the barometer, which has arrived quite safely.  I shall take great care of it, and shall make observations, whenever practicable, three times a day—­8, a.m., noon, and 5, p.m.  I only returned late last night, and have been so busy to-day preparing every thing for leaving the depot, that I have been obliged to put off my writing until night; and I am now acribbling in the tent, on my bed, with my young friend, Mr. Scott, fast asleep, and a cold bleak wind whistling through the place, so that I fear my writing will be scarcely legible.  I send down the letters to the cutter in the morning, and intend to move on my party on the 24th.  With kind remembrance to his Excellency, Mrs. Gawler, and family—­

“Believe me, etc. 
“Edward John Eyre. 
“G.  Hall, Esq.”

Chapter V.

Break up the encampment—­arrive at depot pool—­geological character of
the country—­barometers out of order—­advance to reconnoitre—­ascend
termination hill—­surprise native women—­they abandon their
children—­ineffectual search for water—­return towards mount
deception—­broken character of the country—­find water—­the Scott—­rejoin
the party—­water all used at depot—­embarrassing circumstances—­remove to
the Scott—­reconnoitre in advance—­barren country—­table topped
elevations—­indications of the violent action of water—­meet
natives—­reach lake Torrens—­the water salt—­obliged to return—­arrival
at depot—­hostile demonstrations of the natives.

July 25.—­To-day we broke up the camp, and commenced our labours in earnest, the men and the horses having had a rest of three weeks; the latter were in splendid condition and spirits, having eaten twenty-five bushels of oats, which had been sent up in the Waterwitch.  Every thing had been well and conveniently arranged, and the whole moved on with an order and regularity that was very gratifying.