At half-past two I pulled up, to consider whether or not it would be prudent to push on any farther.

I calculated that we were now 34 miles from the creek, our only place of refuge.

The horses had not tasted water from the early part of the day before, and we could not reasonably expect to get back to the salt lagoon under a day and a half.

Our poor animals were not in a condition to endure much fatigue, although by going on steadily we had managed to get over a good deal of ground.

It is, however, probable that I should not have had much consideration for them on this occasion, if other matters had not weighed on my mind and influenced my decision.