Edwin J.Welch, second in command of the Howitt Relief Expedition, and the first man to find King.] Meanwhile the absence of any news from Wright, in charge of the main body, was beginning to create a feeling of uneasiness in Melbourne.

A light party had already been equipped under A.W.Howitt to follow up Burke's tracks, when suddenly despatches from the Darling arrived from Wright, telling of the non-arrival of the four men.

Howitt's party was doubled, and he was immediately sent off to Cooper's Creek to commence a search for the missing men.

He had not far to go.

On the 13th of September he arrived at the fateful depot camp on Cooper's Creek, with Brahe.