Least was sanguine enough to hope, that although
the temporary feelings of acute pain might make them discontented with my
arrangements, sober reflection at the end of our journey would induce
them to do me justice.
The constant attention which they required, and the increased work which
fell to the share of our reduced number, had scarcely allowed me time to
reflect upon the melancholy accident which had befallen us, and the
ill-timed death of our unfortunate companion. All our energies were
roused, we found ourselves in danger, and, as was absolutely necessary,
we strained every nerve to extricate ourselves from it: but I was well
aware, that the more coolly we went to work, the better we should
succeed.
CHAPTER X
INDICATIONS OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF THE SEA - NATIVES MUCH MORE
NUMEROUS - THE SEA; THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA - THE STAATEN - A NATIVE
INTRUDES INTO THE CAMP - THE VAN DIEMEN - THE GILBERT - SINGULAR NATIVE
HUTS - CARON RIVER - FRIENDLY NATIVES - THE YAPPAR - MR. CALVERT
RECOVERED - MODE OF ENCAMPMENT - SWARMS OF FLIES - ABUNDANCE OF
SALT - NATIVES FRIENDLY, AND MORE INTELLIGENT.
July 1. - We left the camp where Mr. Gilbert was killed, and travelled in
all about fourteen miles south-west, to lat. 16 degrees 6 minutes. We
passed an extensive box-tree flat, and, at four miles, reached a chain of
water-holes; but, during the next ten miles, we did not meet the
slightest indication of water.
