When close to the native camp, he had gone ahead by himself, as he usually did, so as not to startle the aboriginals.

The blacks received him kindly and gave him water, but when he cooeed for his companion, they took sudden alarm and attacked him.

They had speared him in the arm and back, and cut his head open with a club when Lewis came up just in time to rescue him.

Evidently this attack was not premeditated, but caused by the sudden fear aroused by the sight of the white men and camels.

At this well Lewis and one of the Afghans went ahead to strike the head of the Oakover, for they thought they must be drawing near the coast, as the nights were growing cool and dewy, and they had found traces of white iron work in an old camp.