As I had not discovered a more convenient spot for killing another bullock, I decided upon stopping at the rushy lagoon, until we had provided ourselves with a fresh stock of dried beef.

Accordingly, on the 17th February, we killed Mr.Gilbert's bullock, which turned out a fine heavy beast, and gave us a large supply of fat meat and suet.

We had formerly been under the erroneous impression that fat meat would not dry and keep; and, consequently, had carefully separated the fat from the meat.

Some chance pieces, however, had shown us, that it not only dried and kept well, but that it was much finer than the lean meat.

We therefore cut up the fat in slices, like the lean; and it was found not only to remain sweet, but to improve with age.