Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/154

This page has been validated.

125

native well, which we cleared out and got nearly a gallon of water from: made a fire and boiled some tea, serving out half a pint a man, which refreshed us much; At half-past 9, recommenced our journey, and an hour's walking brought us to another native well, where, remaining a short time to refresh, after filling our canteens, we again started, walking through a country much more irregular; red sand and iron-stone; thickly covered with fine forest trees. Supposing from the distance we had walked and Capt Molloy's chart of the Blackwood, that we must be near Port Vasse, climbed a tree and saw the land about Cape Naturaliste bearing N. W. and a very extensive plain below, with a large sheet of water, bearing N. about nine or ten miles; altered the course to N.; the land became very good, and continued so until we halted at 5 p.m. Distance walked eight miles. We saw many large kangaroos on the plain, and passed through three dry watercourses, one of which we bivouaced in; served out the same quantity of liquid as yesterday, and we were 1ess thirsty in consequence of having met with water during the day. Young Mr. Bussel being so fatigued as not to be able to proceed, I recommended Mr. McLeod not to accompany us any farther after we found fresh water, which he quite coincided in.

May 3rd.— Commenced our journey at daybreak without any breakfast; after walking about half an hour came to a small river running to the northward; stopped to breakfast. After crossing the river and wishing Mr. McLeod and his party adieu, steered N.W. by N.; expecting shortly to see the estuary at Vasse, which we did after walking two miles and a half. The country passed over since starting this morning was beautiful, much