Even in retreating, we could not hope to retrace our steps.
Experience had proved to us, that the dry state of the interior was as injurious to the movements of an expedition as a too wet season would have been.

Taking everything, therefore, into consideration, I determined on leaving the party stationary, and on crossing the Darling to the N.W., and, if any encouraging feature presented itself, to return for the party, and persevere in an examination of the distant interior.

Such, at least, appeared to me the most judicious plan: indeed, an attempt to have moved in any other direction would have been fruitless.

And, as the result of this journey would be decisive, and would either fix or determine our advance or retreat, I was anxious for Mr.Hume's attendance.
The natives followed to the camp, and in the course of the afternoon, were joined by their women.

The latter however, would not approach nearer than the top of a little hillock on which they sat.