REFLECTIONS ON OUR DIFFICULTIES--COMMENCE THE RETREAT--EYRE'S CREEK--PASS THE NATIVE WELL--RECROSS THE STONY DESERT--FIND ANOTHER WELL WITHOUT WATER--NATIVES--SUCCESSFUL FISHING--VALUE OF SHEEP--DECIDE ON A RETREAT--PROPOSE THAT MR.

BROWNE SHOULD LEAVE--HIS REFUSAL TO DESERT THE PARTY--MR.

BROWNE'S DECISION--PREPARE TO LEAVE THE CAMP--REMARKS ON THE CLIMATE--AGAIN LEAVE THE DEPOT--SINGULAR EXPLOSION--DISCOVER A LARGE CREEK--PROCEED TO THE NORTH--RECURRENCE OF SAND RIDGES--SALT WATER LAKE--AGAIN STRIKE THE STONY DESERT--ATTEMPT TO CROSS IT.
To that man who is really earnest in the performance of his duty to the last, and who has set his heart on the accomplishment of a great object, the attainment of which would place his name high up in the roll of Fame; to him who had well nigh reached the topmost step of the ladder, and whose hand had all but grasped the pinnacle, the necessity must be great, and the struggle of feeling severe, that forces him to bear back, and abandon his task.
Let any man lay the map of Australia before him, and regard the blank upon its surface, and then let me ask him if it would not be an honourable achievement to be the first to place foot in its centre.
Men of undoubted perseverance and energy in vain had tried to work their way to that distant and shrouded spot.

A veil hung over Central Australia that could neither be pierced or raised.

Girt round about by deserts, it almost appeared as if Nature had intentionally closed it upon civilized man, that she might have one domain on the earth's wide field over which the savage might roam in freedom.
I had traced down almost every inland river of the continent, and had followed their courses for hundreds of miles, but, they had not led me to its central regions.