There was now no other alternative left me, than to make back for the hills to the eastward, in the hope of being more fortunate there.

I had only found permanent water once, (at Salt watercourse) since I left my party, having depended entirely upon puddles of rain water for subsistence; but it now became imperative on me to turn my attention exclusively to this subject, not only to enable me to bring up my men, but to secure the possibility of my own return, as every day that passed dried up more and more the small puddles I had found in the plains.
Descending Mount Deception, we travelled five miles upon a S.E.course, and encamped upon a small dry watercourse for the night, with good grass for our horses, but without water.
July 13 .-- Bending our steps backwards, to search for water in the eastern hills, we were lucky enough to fall in with a puddle in the plains, at which we watered our horses, and again proceeded.
Selecting one of the larger watercourses running out from the hills, we traced it up a considerable distance, examining all its minor branches carefully, and sparing no pains in seeking a permanent spring of water; the channel, however, gradually diminished in size, as we occasionally passed the junctions of small branches from the various gorges; the gum-trees on its course were either dead or dying; the hills, which at a distance had appeared very rugged and lofty, upon a nearer approach turned out to be mere detached eminences of moderate elevation, covered with loose stones, but without the least sign of water.
About two o'clock, P.M.we passed a little grass, and as the day appeared likely to become rainy, I halted for the night.

Leaving the native boy to hobble the horses, I took my gun and ascended one of the hills near me for a view.

Lake Torrens was visible to the west, and Mount Deception to the N.W.but higher hills near me, shut out the view in every other direction.

In descending, I followed a little rocky gully leading to the main watercourse, and to my surprise and joy, discovered a small but deep pool of water in a hole of the rock: upon sounding the depth, I found it would last us some time, and that I might safely bring on my party thus far, until I could look for some other point for a depot still farther north; the little channel where the water was, I named Depot Pool.
Regaining the camp, I immediately set to work with the native boy to construct a bough hut, as the weather looked very threatening.