When we arrived at the foot of the range, our cattle and horses were so jaded, and the water-hole still so far off, that I encamped here, more especially as the feed was young and rich, and as I had hopes of obtaining water by digging into the sand which filled the upper part of the valley.

In this, however, I did not succeed; for, upon digging about three feet deep, I came on a layer of stiff clay very hard and dry.

Fortunately, however, a thunder-storm came on towards the evening, which supplied our cattle as well as ourselves with water.

This was the only time we encamped without a certainty of water, during our journey from Jimba to the head of the gulf, which occupied ten months.
The whole night was showery, the wind and clouds coming from all directions.
Dec.

14 .-- We reached the water-holes I had discovered three days previous.