Table of Contents
Character of the Australian continent—of its
rivers—peculiarity of the Darling—sudden floods to
which it is subject—character of the Murray —its
periodical rise—bounty of providence—geological
position of the two
rivers—observations—results—Sir Thomas
Mitchell’s journey to the darling—its junction with the
Murray—anecdote of Mr. Shannon—Captain Grey’s
expedition—Captain Sturt’s journey—Mr.
Eyre’s second expedition—voyage of the Beagle—Mr.
Oxley’s opinions—state of the interior in
1828—character of its plains and rivers—junction of the
Darling—fossil bed of the Murray—former state of the
continent—theory of the interior.
Preparations for departure—arrival at Moorundi—native
guides—names of the party—Sir John Barrow’s
minute—reports of Laidley’s ponds—climate of the
Murray—progress up the river—arrival at Lake
Bonney—grassy plains—Camboli’s
home—tragical events in that
neighbourhood—Pulcanti—arrival at the Rufus—visit
to the native families—return of Mr. Eyre to
Moorundi—departure of Mr. Browne to the eastward.
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.
Toonda’s tribe—disposition of the natives—arrival
of Camboli—his energy of character—Mr. Poole’s
return—leave the Darling—remarks on that
river—Cawndilla—the old Boocolo—leave the camp
for the hills—reach a creek—wells—Topar’s
misconduct—ascend the ranges—return
homewards—leave Cawndilla with a party—reach
Parnari—move to the hills—journey to N.
west—heavy rains—return to camp—Mr. Poole
leaves—leave the ranges—descent to the plains—Mr.
Poole’s return—his report—Flood’s
creek—aquatic birds—ranges diminish in height.
Native women—sudden squall—journey to the
eastward—view from Mount Lyell—increased
temperature—Mr. Poole’s return—his
report—leave Flood’s creek—entangled in the pine
forest—drive the cattle to water—extricate the
party—state of the men—Mr. Poole and Mr. Browne leave
the camp—proceed northwards—Capt. Sturt leaves for the
north—rapid disappearance of water—muddy
creek—geological formation—gypsum—push on to the
ranges—return to the creek—again ascend the
ranges—find water beyond them—proceed to the
W.N.W.—return to the ranges—ants and flies—turn
to the eastward—no water—return to the camp—Mr.
Poole finds water—Mack’s adventure with the
natives—move the camp.
The depot—further progress checked—character of the
ranges—journey to the north-east—return—journey
to the west—return—again proceed to the
north—interview with natives—arrive at the farthest
water—the party separates—progress
northwards—continue to advance—sufferings of the
horse—cross the 28th parallel—rejoin Mr.
Stuart—journey to the westward—character of the
country—find two ponds of water—the grassy
park—return to the rang—excessive heat—a singular
geological feature—regain the depot.
Migration of the birds—journey to the eastward—flooded
plains—native family—proceed south, but find no
water—again turn eastward—sterile country—salt
lagoon—distant hills to the east—return to the
camp—intense heat—officers attacked by
scurvy—journey to the west—no water—forced to
return—illness of Mr. Poole—visited by a
native—second journey to the eastward—story of the
native—kites and crows—erect a pyramid on Mount
Poole—preparations for a move—indications of
rain—intense anxiety—heavy rain—Mr. Poole leaves
with the home returning party—break up the depot—Mr.
Poole’s sudden death—his funeral—progress
westward—the Jerboa—establishment of second
depot—native gluttony—distant mountains
seen—reach Lake Torrens—examination of the country N.W.
of it—return to the depot—visited by
natives—preparations for departure again into the northwest
interior.
Leave the depot for the north-west—scarcity of
water—fossil limestone—arrive at the first
creek—extensive plains—succession of
creeks—flooded character of the country—pond with
fish—sterile country—grassy plains—intrepid
native—country apparently
improves—disappointments—water found—appearance
of the stony desert—night thereon—the earthy
plain—hills raised by refraction—recommencement of the
sand ridges—their undeviating regularity—conjectures as
to the desert—relative position of Lake
Torrens—concluding remarks.
Flood’s quick sight—forest full of birds—native
well—birds collect to drink—dangerous
plain—Flood’s horse lost—scarcity of
water—turn northward—discover a large
creek—bright prospects—sudden disappointment—salt
lagoon—scarcity of water—salt water
creek—character of the interior—forced to turn
back—risk of advancing—the furthest north—return
to and examination of the creek—proceed to the
westward—dreadful country—journey to the
north—again forced to return—natives—station on
the creek—concluding remarks.
Reflections on our difficulties—commence the
retreat—Eyre’s creek—pass the native
well—recross the stony desert—find another well without
water—natives—successful fishing—value of
sheep—decide on a retreat—propose that Mr. Browne
should leave—his refusal to desert the party—Mr.
Browne’s decision—prepare to leave the
camp—remarks on the climate—again leave the
depot—singular explosion—discover a large
creek—proceed to the north—recurrence of sand
ridges—salt water lake—again strike the stony
desert—attempt to cross it.
The horses—ascend the hills—irresolution and
retreat—horses reduced to great want—unexpected
relief—try the desert to the N.E.—find water in our
last well—reach the creek—proceed to the
eastward—plague of flies and ants—surprise an old
man—sea-gulls and pelicans—fish—pool of
brine—meet natives—turn to the
N.E.—Cooper’s Creek tribe, their kindness and
appearance—attempt to cross the plains—turn
back—proceed to the northward—effects of
refraction—find natives at our old camp and the stores
untouched—Cooper’s Creek, its geographical position.
Continued drought—terrific effect of hot
wind—thermometer bursts—death of poor Bawley—find
the stockade deserted—leave Fort Grey for the
depot—difference of seasons—migration of
birds—hot winds—embarrassing position—Mr. Browne
starts for Flood’s creek—three bullocks
shot—commencement of the retreat—arrival at
Flood’s creek—state of vegetation—effects of
scurvy—arrive at rocky glen—comparison of native
tribes—halt at Carnapaga—arrival at
Cawndilla—removal to the Darling—leave the
Darling—state of the river—oppressive
heat—visited by Nadbuck—arrival at Moorundi.
Remarks on the season—dry state of the
atmosphere—thermometrical observations—winds in the
interior—direction of the ranges—geological
observations—non-existence of any central
chain—probable course of the stony desert—whether
connected with lake torrens—opinions of Captain
Flinders—no information derived from the natives—the
natives—their personal appearance—disproportion between
the sexes—the women—customs of the natives—their
habitations—food—language—conclusion.
APPENDIX.