Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/171

The Producers ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 145 to carry us back ; and now, being in the midst of hostile natives who were wily, bold, and daring — so much so that I could see at once that my party would be unable to cope with them, although we gained the advantage at first." Therefore Stuart was reluctantly compelled to return to Adelaide after nearly accomplishing the overland journey and discovering numerous important features, among them the historical Chambers Pillar. Parliament voted him ^2,500 to fit out another expedition, and in November, i860, he was again in the field. Slowly he drew nearer to the north coast, but he was not yet to accomplish his purpose. He even reached the latitude of the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria ; but huge ])lains (which he named Sturt Plains), skirted by dense scrub and forest, arrested farther progress, " although gallant attempts were made in all directions." A fine sheet of water was found in the neighborhood, and named Newcastle Waters after the Secretary of State. The farther he went, the denser became the scrub and forest, until he and his men were almost without clothing and boots, and possessed only four weeks' supply of provisions to accomplish the return journey of ten weeks. -Stuart reached the capital in safety. Steps were taken by the Government to enable Stuart to make a further effort. He left Adelaide in October, 1861, accompanied by W. Kekwick, E. W. Thring, W. P. Auld, S. King, J. Billiatt, J. F. Erew, H. Nash, J. McGorgery, and J. V. Waterhouse. The party arrived at Newcastle Waters without serious difficulty, and there the fresh exploration began. Stuart made several ineffectual attempts to penetrate the forest and scrub in the locality, but eventually, by way of a succession of ponds, he pushed on to permanent water, which he named Daly Waters, where was some good country. Thence he discovered the Strangways and Roper Rivers. The country on the latter was the finest, in .Stuart's estimation, he had ever seen — excellent soil and rich and abundant grass, with cabbage-trees, cane, and bamboo lining the river banks. Here was a change from the desolation of the interior; and on the Adelaide River, nearer the coast, the party lingered for a few days amid " lovely scenery and luxuriant vegetation, with birds of splendid plumage, and with abounding creeks and watercourses." The great task was practically finished. On July 24, 1862, they emerged from a thick, heavy bush, and beheld the waters of the Indian Ocean in Van Diemen Gulf. Three hearty cheers were given, and, wrote Stuart, " I dipped my feet and washed my face and hands in the sea, as I promised the late Governor, Sir Richard MacDonnell, I would do if I reached it." On the following day Stuart had an open space cleared, and upon the highest branch of one of the tallest trees fixed the Union Jack. Beneath the tree he buried a paper, enclosed in an air-tight case, announcing his arrival and prosperity. Then followed the return journey, which was accomplished with difficulty. Natives set fire to the grass ; the horses were in a weak condition ; and Stuart became seriously ill. He suffered from scurvy ; his eyesight failed him ; he almost lost the power of speech ; and he despaired of recovery. He reached Adelaide, where /r^es and banquets were given in his honor, K