Had there been one favorable circumstance to have encouraged me with the hope of success, I would have proceeded.

Had we picked up a stone as indicating our approach to high land, I would have gone on; or had there been a break in the level of the country, or even a change in the vegetation.

But we had left all traces of the natives far behind us; and this seemed a desert they never entered--that not even a bird inhabited.

I could not encourage a hope of success, and, therefore, gave up the point; not from want of means, but a conviction of the inutility of any further efforts.

If there is any blame to be attached to the measure, it is I who am in fault, but none who had not like me traversed the interior at such a season, would believe the state of the country over which I had wandered.