As no water-holes were near us, we caught the water that ran from our blankets; and, as we were unable to rekindle our fire, which had been extinguished by the rain, we stretched our blankets over some sticks to form a tent, and notwithstanding our wet and hungry condition, our heads sank wearily on the saddles--our usual bush pillow--and we slept soundly till morning dawned.

We now succeeded in making a fire, so that we had a pot of tea and a pigeon between us.

After this scanty breakfast, we continued our course to the north-east.

Brown thought himself lost, got disheartened, grumbled and became exceedingly annoying to me; but I could not help feeling for him, as he complained of severe pain in his legs.

We now entered extensive Ironbark flats, which probably belong to the valley of the Mackenzie.