Four led horses carried provisions; for they would not, as before, find food by the way.

It was two o'clock in the day when they started, and they rode thirty miles before they halted, for the night, at a water hole.

They had seen no signs of natives during the day, but Reuben at once posted four men as sentries.
It was a merry party round the fire, for all were in high spirits at the prospect of an expedition to a point far beyond that to which any white men, with the exception of fugitives from justice, had penetrated; and they were delighted with the thought of putting a stop, at last, to the operations of the band who had so long been a scourge to the settlement.
Mr.Blount, Dick Caister, and several others who had formed part of the last expedition were of the party; and the confidence which these felt in their young leader, and in the sagacity of his native follower, communicated itself to those who had not formed part of the previous expedition.
"Must start early," Jim said to Reuben, the last thing.

"Long way to water.

Ride all day, not get dere before dark." They rode rapidly for some time, after starting, so as to allow the horses to take it easily, during the heat of the day, when there was a halt of three hours; but in the afternoon they quickened their pace again, and men and horses were jaded and done up when, just as the sun was setting, they arrived at their destination.
"How that black fellow of yours finds his way through this bush is a perfect marvel to me," Dick Caister said.