Part 9 (2/2)

Made at once for the vessel, and, on reaching her, found all well and glad to see us She was anchored between the Red and Black Beacons The latter had been blon, but shall be re-erected There being no water at the anchorage, moved on to the Delissier sand-hills, where we found water by digging two and a half feet from the surface Camped on west side of the sand-hills Landed barley, etc, froood feed for the horses under the Hae, about a mile and a half distant

The next day was Sunday The crew of the Adur came ashore and dined with us, and, as usual, I read Divine Service On the following -book and charts We painted the Red and Black Beacons, and Mr Adastaff thirty-four feet high I occupieda report to be sent to the Colonial Secretary My brother went off to the boat and brought ashore the things we required We were busy on the following days packing up and shi+pping things not required for the trip to Adelaide, and I gave the master of the Adur instructions to sail with all despatch for Fre report, which I sent back by the Adur, describes the progress then made with somewhat more detail than in my Journal:--

Port Eucla, 7th July, 1870

SIR,

It is with much pleasure I have the honour to report, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, the safe arrival here of the expedition entrusted toof the schooner Adur

Leaving Esperance Bay on the 9th of May, we travelled in an easterly direction, over plains generally poorly grassed, to Israelite Bay (situated in latitude 33 degrees 36 rees 48 minutes East), which we reached on the 18th May, andto instructions issued to the master Here we recruited our horses and had theood order, packed provisions, etc, and gave the master of the Adur very strict and detailed instructions to proceed to Eucla Harbour, and await my arrival until the 2nd of September, when, if I did not reach there, he was to bury provisions under the Black Beacon and sail for Fre in readiness, on the 30th of May we left Israelite Bay en route for Eucla, carrying with us threenear the coast for sixtytrip inland on my e reached the sand-patches a little to the west of Point Culver, in latitude 32 degrees 55 rees 25 minutes East, on the 2nd of June

On the 3rd went on a flying trip to the North-East, returning on the 4th along the cliffs and Point Culver I found the country entirely destitute of per the coast a few rassed On the coast near the cliffs it was very rocky, and there was neither feed nor water Finding there was no chance of per found, that the only water in the country was in small rocky holes--and those very scarce indeed--and the feed being very bad at Point Culver, I determined, after very mature consideration, to attempt at all hazards to reach the water shown on Mr Eyre's track in longitude 126 degrees 24 minutes East, or 140 e over thirty gallons of water on three of our riding horses, and taking it in turns walking Travelled about North-East for four days, which brought us to latitude 32 degrees 11 rees 37that tiallons On the fifth day ere allons more, and on the sixth day (the 12th June, Sunday) found a large rock hole containing sufficient to give theallons each, which placed us in safety, as the water in longitude 126 degrees 24 , we reached the water on Tuesday, June 14th, and by observation found it to be in latitude 32 degrees 14 rees 24 ree 6 minutes easterly

The country passed over between Point Culver and longitude 126 degrees 24 rassed, level, without the slightest undulation, about 300 feet above the sea, and not very thickly wood It irassy, and the horizon to the north, in every place where I could get an extensive vieas as uniform and well-defined as that of the sea On the route frorees 24 minutes East, ere fro ourselves and horses till the 30th, I took a flying trip to the northward For the first twelve h a dense and almost impenetrable scrub, e reached the cliffs, and after ascending them we came into the same description of level country that we travelled over frorassy, and became still clearer as we proceeded north, until, at our farthest point north, in latitude 31 degrees 33 rees 33 minutes East, scarcely a tree was visible, and vast plains of grass and saltbush extended as far as the eye could reach in every direction We found a little water for our horses in rock holes

Returning, we reached ca preparations for a start for Eucla In looking round camp, Tommy Windich found the shoulder-blade of a horse and two s to a packsaddle The shoulder-blade is no doubt the reed to kill for food at this spot

On June 24th started for Eucla, carrying, as before, over thirty gallons of water, and walking in turns On the 25th found on the top of the cliffs a large rock hole, containing sufficient water to give the horses as much as they required, and on the 26th were equally fortunate From the 26th to the 30th we met with scarcely any water, and our horses appeared very distressed,of the 30th, however, ere again fortunate enough to find a water-hole containing sufficient to give theain in safety, Eucla water being only thirtyof the 1st day of July we reached the cliffs, or Haitude 126 degrees 12 e distance of twelve or fifteen ain at Wilson's Bluff, in longitude 129 degrees East They are very steep and rough, and water es I, however, wished to keep further inland, and therefore did not follow them), and shortly afterwards we beheld the Wilson's Bluff and the Eucla sand-hills Cae, about fivethe anchorage, discovered the schooner Adur lying safely at anchor, which proved by nofeature to our little band of weary travellers Camped on west side of Delissier sand-hills, and found water by digging

The country passed over between longitude 126 degrees 24I have ever seen There is nothing in the settled portions of Western Australia equal to it, either in extent or quality; but the absence of perreat drawback, and I do not think water would be procured by sinking, except at great depths, as the country is at least three hundred feet above the sea, and there is nothing to indicate water being within an easy depth from the surface The country is very level, with scarcely any undulation, and beco Cape Arid I have not seen a gully or watercourse of any description--a distance of 400 rees 24 enerally about thirty miles from the sea

The natives met with appeared friendly and har, and I think not very nu the route; a few kangaroos were seen, but no en, I believe, of the scarcity of water

The health of the party has been excellent; and I cannot speak too highly of the manner in which each member of the expedition has conducted himself, under circumstances often of privation and difficulty

All our horses are also in splendid condition; and when I reflect how great were the sufferings of the only other Europeans who traversed this route, I cannot but thank Alh such a waterless region, without the loss of even a single horse

I aet far inland northward, unless we are favoured with rain We have not had any rain since the end of April, and on that account our difficulties have been far greater than if it had been an ordinary wet season

I intend despatching the Adur for Fremantle to-morrow The charter-party has been carried out entirely to my satisfaction With the assistance of the crew of the Adur I have repainted the Red and Black Beacons The latter had been bloe, however, re-erected it firh, near camp on west side of Delissier sand-hills, with a copper-plate nailed on it, with its position, raved on it

We are noithin 140 miles from the nearest Adelaide station I rite to you as soon as I reach there It will probably be abrief account of uidance, may meet with the approval of his Excellency the Governor,

I have, etc,

JOHN FORREST,

Leader of Expedition to Eucla and Adelaide