Having hobbled the horses out for an hour, we watched them until they had rested a little, and got cool.  I then gave them half of our supply of water; and leaving them to feed under the superintendence of the native boy, took my gun, and walked seven or eight miles up the creek, under a scorching sun, to look for water, examining every gorge and nook, with an eagerness and anxiety, which those only can know who have been similarly circumstanced; but my search was in vain, and I returned to the encampment tired and disappointed.  Out of what was left of our water, the boy and myself now made each a little tea, and then gave the remainder to the horses; after which we laid down for an hour whilst they were feeding.  About four in the afternoon, we again saddled them, and moved homewards, riding, as before, the whole night, with the exception of about an hour, when we halted to feed the horses, upon meeting with a rich bed of the succulent geranium, of which they were so fond.

August 16.—­Travelling on steadily, we began early in the afternoon to draw near to the depot; and when within a mile and half of it, I was surprised, upon looking back, to see two natives trying to steal upon us with spears, who, as soon as they perceived they were observed, rose up, and made violent gestures of defiance, but at once desisted from following us.  A little further on, upon a rise not far from the depot, I was still more astonished to see at least thirty of these savages; and I hurried forwards as quickly as possible to ascertain what it could mean, not without some anxiety for the safety of my party.

Chapter VI.

Gause of hostility of the natives—­well sunk unsuccessfully—­overseer
sent to the east—­the Scott examined—­rock wallabie—­overseer’s
return—­another visit to lake Torrens—­boggy character of its
bed—­extraordinary effects of mirage and refraction—­return to the
camp—­supply of water exhausted—­leave the depot—­the Mundy—­the
Burr—­mount Serle—­lake Torrens to the east—­melancholy prospects.

August 16.—­Upon reaching the camp the extraordinary behaviour of the natives was soon explained to me.  At the time when I left the depot on the 11th of August, in giving the overseer general directions for his guidance, I had among other matters requested him, if he found any natives in the neighbourhood, to try and get one up to the camp and induce him to remain until my return, that we might, if possible, gain some information as to the nature of the country or the direction of the waters.  In endeavouring