This did not augur well for our future prospects, and gave me considerable anxiety relative to our future movements.
For some days past the whole party had fully entered upon their respective duties, each knew exactly what he had to do, and was beginning to get accustomed to its performance, so that every thing went on smoothly and prosperously.

My own time, when not personally engaged in conducting the party, was occupied in keeping the journals and charts, etc.

in taking and working observations--in the daily register of the barometer, thermometer, winds, and weather, and in collecting specimens of flowers, or minerals.

My young friend, Mr.Scott, was kept equally busy; for in many of these duties he assisted me, and in some relieved me altogether; the regular entry of the meteorological observations, and the collecting of flowers or shrubs generally fell to his share; independently of which he was the only sportsman in the party, and upon his gun we were dependant for supplies of wallabies, pigeons, ducks, or other game, to vary our bill of fare, and make the few sheep we had with us hold out as long as possible.

As a companion I could not have made a better selection--young, active, and cheerful, I found him ever ready to render me all the assistance in his power.