Expeditions to South Australia, vol 2 | Page 6

to whom the further
exploration of that part of coast unhappily proved fatal. There is a
melancholy coincidence between Captain Barker's death and that of
Captain Cook, which cannot fail to interest the public, as the
information that has been furnished will call for their serious
consideration. I shall leave for their proper place, the remarks I have to
offer upon it, since my motive in these prefatory observations has been,
to carry the reader forward to that point at which he will have to view
the proceedings of the expedition alone, in order the more satisfactorily
to arrive at their results. And, although he must expect a considerable
portion of dry reading in the following pages, I have endeavoured to
make the narrative of events, some of which are remarkably striking, as
interesting as possible.
REMARKS ON THE PRESENT WORK; DELIVERANCE FROM
DANGERS.
It only remains for me to refer the reader to the concluding chapter of
the preceding volume, for such general information as I have been
enabled to furnish upon the nature of the services on which I was
employed, and on the manner of conducting similar expeditions. Indeed,
I trust that this book (whatever be its defects) will be found to contain
much valuable information of a practical character, and I may venture
to affirm, that it will give a true description of the country, and of the
various other subjects of which it treats.
Notwithstanding that I have in my dedication alluded to the causes that
prevented the earlier appearance of this work, I feel it due both to
myself and the public here to state, that during these expeditions my
health had suffered so much, that I was unable to bear up against the
effects of exposure, bodily labour, poverty of diet, and the anxiety of
mind to which I was subjected. A residence on Norfolk Island, under
peculiarly harassing circumstances, completed that which the above
causes had commenced; and, after a succession of attacks, I became
totally blind, and am still unable either to read what I pen, or to venture

abroad without an attendant. When it is recollected, that I have been
unassisted in this work in any one particular, I hope some excuse will
be found for its imperfections. A wish to contribute to the public good
led me to undertake those journeys which have cost me so much. The
same feeling actuates me in recording their results; and I have the
satisfaction to know, that my path among a large and savage population
was a bloodless one; and that my intercourse with them was such as to
lessen the danger to future adventurers upon such hazardous enterprises,
and to give them hope where I had so often despaired. Something more
powerful, than human foresight or human prudence, appeared to avert
the calamities and dangers with which I and my companions were so
frequently threatened; and had it not been for the guidance and
protection we received from the Providence of that good and all-wise
Being to whose care we committed ourselves, we should, ere this, have
ceased to rank among the number of His earthly creatures.
CHAPTER II.

Commencement of the expedition in November, 1829.--Joined by Mr.
George M'Leay--Appearance of the party--Breadalbane
Plains--Hospitality of Mr. O'Brien--Yass Plains--Hill of Pouni--Path of
a hurricane--Character of the country between Underaliga and the
Morumbidgee--Appearance of that river-- Junction of the Dumot with
it--Crossing and recrossing--Geological character and general aspect of
the country--Plain of Pondebadgery--Few natives seen.
The expedition which traversed the marshes of the Macquarie, left
Sydney on the 10th day of Nov. 1828. That destined to follow the
waters of the Morumbidgee, took its departure from the same capital on
the 3rd of the same month in the ensuing year. Rain had fallen in the
interval, but not in such quantities as to lead to the apprehension that it
had either influenced or swollen the western streams. It was rather
expected that the winter falls would facilitate the progress of the
expedition, and it was hoped that, as the field of its operations would in
all probability be considerably to the south of the parallel of Port
Jackson, the extreme heat to which the party and the animals had been

exposed on the former journey, would be less felt on the present
occasion.
As there was no Government establishment to the S.W. at which I
could effect any repairs, or recruit my supplies, as I had done at
Wellington Valley, the expedition, when it left Sydney, was completed
in every branch, and was so fully provided with every necessary
implement and comfort, as to render any further aid, even had such
been attainable, in a great measure unnecessary. The Governor had
watched over my preparations with a degree of anxiety that evidenced
the interest