Part 6 (1/2)

Von Mueller, whose anxiety for the discovery of Leichardt was rather increased than abated by the disappointment experienced He proposed that I should start froht party and provisions for six ht, not only would such an expedition almost certainly find soraphical discoveries of the highest interest and iued that:

”While those who searched after traces of the lost party did not solve the primary objects of their eographical science The course of one traveller connected the southern interior of Queensland in a direct route with the vast pastoral depressions about Lake Torrens; the researches of another explorer, bent on ascertaining Leichardt's fate, unfolded to us a tract of table country, now already occupied by herds and flocks, not less in length than that of Sweden and ItalyWe should bear fully in mind how a line in Leichardt's intended direction would at once enable the squatters of North-East Australia to drive their surplus of flocks and herds easily across to the atered, hilly and grassy country within close proximity to the harbour of the north-west coast”

I should have been well satisfied to undertake an expedition in the proposed direction, starting fro to connect ory's down Sturt Creek; but the difficulty of obtaining funds and lack of support caused the project to be set aside or at least delayed Mr Weld, then Governor of Western Australia, who always heartily supported explorations, was in favour of an attempt to reach Adelaide by way of the south coast, and offered me the command of an expedition in that direction

I readily accepted the offer, and at once busiedinsensible to the difficulties of the undertaking Of the route nothing was known except the disastrous experience of Mr Eyre in 1840 and 1841 His re to all concerned in the history of explorations or in the records of energy, courage, and perseverance under the ht have acted as a warning to future explorers against endeavouring to follow in his track The fearful privations he endured, his narrow escape from the most terrible of all for; but his experience ers to be avoided, and suggestingdifficulties At any rate, I was not deterred froht, and to reach the sister colony by that route Eyre had not discovered any rivers, although it was possible that he ht The difficulties he laboured under in his alht have rendered him unable to make observations and discoveries er party, while the deficiency of water on the route appeared to offer the greatest impediment We were not, however, deterred from the attempt, and on the 30th of March, 1870, we started froerous, but which ere sanguine enough to believe ht produce considerable results

That ere not disappointed the result will prove Indeed, the difficulties were much fewer than we had been prepared to encounter; and in five months from the date of departure fro a journey which Mr Eyre had been

THE EXPLORING PARTY

My party was thus composed: I was leader; the second in command was my brother, Alexander Forrest, a surveyor; H McLarty, a police constable; and W Osborne, a farrier and shoeing smith, these with Tommy Windich, the native who had served me so faithfully on the previous expedition, and another native, Billy Noongale, an intelligent young fellow, accompanied us

Before I enter upon the details of my journey it may be useful to state as briefly as possible the efforts made to obtain a better acquaintance with the vast territory popularly known as No Man's Land, which had been traversed by Eyre, and afterwards to sue which had been obtained

In 1860 Major Warburton--who afterwards, in 1873 and 1874, succeeded in crossing the northern part of the great inland desert, after enduring great privations--contrived to reach eighty-five ht, and made several journeys from the coast in a north and north-westerly direction for a distance of about sixty miles Traces of Eyre's expedition were then visible The holes he had dug in search of water twenty years before were still there, and the records of his journey were of great value as guiding Warburton's movements His experience of the nature of the country amply confirmed that of the previous explorer He found the district to the north to be a dreary waste, destitute of food and water Rain seldom fell, and, when it did, was immediately absorbed by the arid soil Bustards andcreatures To the north-west there was a little grass, but the tract showing verdure was very sain the scorched, barren, inhospitable desert

Two years afterwards other explorations were attempted, and especially should be noted Captain Delessier's He was disposed to think more favourably of the nature of the country The enterprise of squatters seeking for ”fresh fields and pastures new,” to whoraziers and sheep farland--is not easily daunted They e and the difficulty of obtaining water, by sinking wells, in soreat drawbacks

DISCOVERY OF PORT EUCLA

It ht naturally be inquired why no atteht by sea? Why sohas been endured when a well-equipped vessel ht have landed explorers at various points and been ready to afford them assistance? In his explorations to the north of Western Australia, Mr F Gregory had a convenient base of operations in the Dolphin, a barque which reht seem that similar aid could have been afforded to Warburton and others who attempted to trace the south-coast line But for hundreds of ht no vessel could reach the shore or lie safely at anchor Long ranges of perpendicular cliffs, froh, presented a barrier effectually forbidding approach by sea

About 1867, however, an excellent harbour was discovered about 260 miles to the west of Fowler's Bay The South Australian Government at once undertook a survey of this harbour, and Captain Douglas, President of the Marine Board, the officer entrusted with this duty, reported in the most favourable terms The roadstead, named Port Eucla, was found to afford excellent natural protection for shi+pping There was, however, the less encouraging circumstance that it was situated a few miles to the west of the boundary of the colony, and consequently Western, and not South, Australia was entitled to the benefit of the discovery

It was evident that Port Eucla, which Captain Douglas carefully surveyed by taking soundings and observing bearings, was the key to the exploration of this vast portion of the continent But, notwithstanding the propositions ricultural Society for equipping an exploring party, nothing was done until the beginning of 1870, when the Governor deter an overland party intended toas far inland as possible, to Eucla, where assistance and supplies would await them It was this expedition which I was selected to co copy of official instructions will show the object of the exploration and the preparations made to insure a fair prospect of a successful result:--

OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Colonial Secretary's Office, Perth,

March 29th, 1870

SIR,

His Excellency the Governor, confiding in your experience, ability, and discretion, has been pleased to entrust to your charge and leadershi+p an overland expedition, which has been organized for the purpose of exploring the country between the settled portions of this colony and the Port of Eucla, situated near its east boundary

Your party will consist of the following six persons, well armed, and provisioned for two months, namely, yourself as leader; Mr Alexander Forrest, your brother, as second in command; H McLarty, a police-constable, third in command; WH Osborne, farrier, etc; and two reliable natives, one of ill be your forreement to serve under you on the expedition in the above capacities will be signed by each European na

Ample stores and supply of provisions have been prepared for your use, and a suitable coasting vessel (the schooner Adur) is engaged, under an experienced commander, to convey the the operations of the expedition

It is desirable the party should start froements have been completed, and take the most convenient route to Esperance Bay, where men and horses can be recruited, further supplies from the coaster laid in, and a fresh start made for Eucla so soon as the first winter rainssufficiently watered

About 120 miles to the eastward of the station of Messrs Dempster, at the west end of Esperance Bay, lies Israelite Bay, under soe That being the nearest known anchorage ard of Eucla, it appears to offer a convenient spot whence fresh supplies ht be drawn fro 300 ement as to an intermediate place of call will be liable toon the spot with the Messrs Dempster, who are well acquainted with that part of the coast

Between Israelite Bay and Eucla the route should be as far from the coast as circumstances and the nature of the country will ad provisions and stores that may be required should be landed, and the coaster despatched on her return to Fres