We had never fallen out, and I thought he was as ardent in the cause of exploration as I was, so that when he informed me of his resolve it came upon me as a complete surprise.

My arguments were all in vain; in vain I showed how, with the stock of provisions we had, we might keep the field for months.

I even offered to retreat to the Finke, so that we should not have such arduous work for want of water, but it was all useless.
It was with distress that I lay down on my blankets that night, after what he had said.

I scarcely knew what to do.

I had yet a lot of horses heavily loaded with provisions; but to take them out into a waterless, desert country by myself, was impossible.