Immediately in front of the tents there was a broad sheet of water shaded by gum-trees, and the low land between this and the sand hills was also chequered with them.

The position was in every way eligible.

The open grassy field or plain stood full in view, and the men could see the cattle browsing on it, but I directed Mr.
Stuart never to permit them to be without one of the men as a guard, and to have them secured nightly in the stockyard.

In order to provide for the further security of the camp, I marked out the lines, for the erection of a stockade, wherein I directed Mr.Stuart to pitch one of the bell tents.

In this tent I instructed him to deposit the arms and ammunition, and to consider it as the rallying point in the event of any attack by the natives, in which case I told him his first step would be to secure the sheep.