"You have done all you were sent out to do," he observed, "why then seek to penetrate again into that horrid desert?
It is impossible that you can succeed during the continuance of the dry weather.

If you now go you will never get back again; besides, have you," he asked, "made any calculations as to the means both of provisions and carriage you will require ?" "That," I replied, "is for my consideration, but I have done so, and it appears to me that both are ample." "Well," said Mr.Browne, "it may be so, I do not know, but I can never consent to leave you in this dreadful desert.

Ask me to do anything else, and I will do it; but I cannot and will not desert you." It was in vain that I assured him, he took a wrong view of the matter.

That, as I had sent Mr.Poole home to increase my means, so I wished to send him, and that he would be rendering me as valuable, though not such agreeable service, as if he continued with me.

"You know, Browne," I added, "that the eyes of the geographical world are fixed on me, and that I have a previous reputation to maintain; with you it is different.