Like Warburton, he was frustrated by dry country in his endeavour to reach Perth.

He had with him both white men and Afghan camel drivers, and a mixed outfit of horses and camels.

He left the telegraph line and struck westward, soon finding himself in very dry country, where he lost one horse on a dry stage.

He made a depot camp on a creek which he called the Warburton, and while on an excursion from this camp he had the singular experience of riding all day through heavy rain and camping at night without water, the sandy soil having quickly absorbed the downpour.

On his return he found that the creek at the camp was running, and though repeated attempts had been made by the Afghans to goad one of the camels over, the animal obstinately refused to cross.
Probably the leader thought that it was fortunate for the progress of the expedition that they were not likely to meet with many more running streams.