But their amiable demeanour did not last long.

Bonney and Hawdon were almost the last overlanding party to proceed unmolested.

Within a comparatively short time afterwards, an incessant war began to be waged between the blacks and every Overlander who passed down the Murray.

It ended only with the sanguinary battle of the Rufus.

More fortunate than Sturt, Hawdon and Bonney were able to cut off many of the wearisome bends that had so fatigued Sturt's crew.