We scratched out a lot of sand with our hands, and some water percolated through, but the hole was too deep to get any out for the horses, as we had no means of removing the sand, having no shovel.

Upon searching farther up the gully we found some good-sized rock-holes, but unfortunately they were all dry.

We next ascended a hill to view the surrounding country, and endeavour to discover if there was any feature in any direction to induce us to visit, and where we might find a fresh supply of water.

There were several fires raging in various directions upon the southern horizon, and the whole atmosphere was thick with a smoky haze.

After a long and anxious scrutiny through the smoke far, very far away, a little to the west of south, I descried the outline of a range of hills, and right in the smoke of one fire an exceedingly high and abruptly-ending mountain loomed.