A few escaped, but the greater number never recovered from the effects of the poison, and fourteen died.

Pushing on in the hope of finding a safe place in which to recruit, Austin found himself so crippled in his means of transit that he had to abandon all but his most necessary stores.
He now made for Shark's Bay, whither a vessel was to be sent to render him assistance or take the party home if required.

The course to Shark's Bay led them over country that did not tempt them to linger on the way.
On the 21st of September a sad accident occurred.

They were then camped at a spring near a cave in the face of a cliff, in which there were some curious native rock-paintings.

While resting here, a young man named Charles Farmer accidentally shot himself in the arm, and in spite of the most careful attention the poor fellow died of lockjaw in the most terrible agony.