Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/159

 miles and a half; rested an hour, ahd continued our march, steering N. by E. one mile, over a rocky lime-stone country, with black sandy soil, when we came to two other small lagoons in succession. The walking being very bad, we steered towards the shore, and in an hour came to another lagoon, which I knew to be only twelve miles from the Murray, in a straight line: the men being greatly reduced from want of water and food, we bivouaced, and divided a very scanty allowance to each, the first we had this day; dug a well under a tree, and got water, but very brackish.

Started at day light, and having served out half an ounce of biscuit, and about a pint of tea, having about a quarter of a pound of bread remaining. The men complained much of their feet, and thinking, they would walk much better cm the beach; I steered for Cape Bouvard, and at 11, ascended the sand hill at the back, and found we were all right as to position; observed a bark standing in shore, made a fire as a signal to her, but, to our annoyance, she backed immediately. After resting for a few minutes, and serving out our last mouthful of bread, made the beach, where was tolerable walking, but which I am sure lengthened our march four miles; however, the prospect of reaching the Murray that night, gave the men fresh strength, and we marched without a check until we arrived in sight of the entrance, where Mitchel was taken very ill, from drinking (as he said) the brackish water, but I think it was walking so very fast and long without food; I sent Mr. Skottow on to hail for a boat; after remaining half an hour, Mitchel was able to walk to the boat, end when we got him over, I had him put to bed, and before