No matter how circumstantial might be a narration of the blacks, they invariably contradicted themselves the next time they were interrogated, and it was evident that no useful purpose would be served by following them on a foolish errand from place to place.

Forrest therefore penetrated some distance east, but was not encouraged by the discovery of any useful country.

Nevertheless, he started on a solitary expedition ahead, taking only one black boy and provisions for seven days.

He reached a point one hundred miles beyond the camp of the main body, to the eastward of Mount Margaret on the present goldfields.

He ascended the highest tree he could find, and found the outlook was dreary and desolate.