At four o'clock two thunder-storms formed as usual in the east and west, and, eventually rising above us, poured down a heavy shower of rain, which drenched us to the skin, and refreshed us and our horses and bullocks, which were panting with heat and thirst.

Our stores were well covered with greasy tarpaulings, and took no harm.
Feb.

28 .-- Successive thunder-storms, with which this spot seemed more favoured than the country we had recently passed, had rendered the vegetation very luxuriant.

The rotten sandy ground absorbed the rain rapidly, and the young grass looked very fresh.

The scrub receded a little more from the river, and an open country extended along its banks.
The scene was, therefore, most cheerful and welcome.