The teams descended one after the other from the bank on which they had been drawn up, and filed past myself and Mr.Eyre, who stood near me, in the most regular order.

The long line reached almost across the Moorundi flat, and looked extremely well.

I watched it with an anxiety that made me forgetful of everything else, and I naturally turned my thoughts to the future How many of those who had just passed me so full of hope, and in such exuberant spirits, would be permitted to return to their homes?
Should I, their leader, be one of those destined to remain in the desert, or should I be more fortunate in treading it than the persevering and adventurous officer whose guest I was, and who shrank from the task I had undertaken.

My eyes followed the party as it ascended the gully on the opposite side of the flat, and turned northwards, the two officers leading, until the whole were lost to my view in the low scrub into which it entered.

I was unconscious of what was passing around me, but when I turned to address my companions, I found that I was alone.