The men themselves were very glad to get back to the camp, having been apprehensive of an attack for the last two or three days.
August 18 .-- This morning I sent off the overseer and a native boy to the eastward, to look for water in the watercourses I had been at on the 5th of August, the Scott not having then been discovered; they would now be thirty-six miles nearer water than any I was acquainted with at that time, and would consequently be less hurried and embarrassed in their movements than I was.

By giving them a pack-horse to carry ten gallons of water, I hoped they would be able to examine all the watercourses so effectually as to secure the object of their search, for I felt satisfied that water was to be found somewhere among the high ranges we had seen in the direction they were going; I also directed the overseer to visit the camp where the two native children had been left, and to see what had been their fate.
During the day I employed myself in writing; the weather was excessively close and oppressive, with heavy clouds coming up from the S.W.

against the wind at N.E.At night it blew almost a hurricane, accompanied by a few drops of rain, after which, the wind then veered round to the north.
The 19th was another oppressive hot day, with a northerly wind, and clouds of dust which darkened the air so that we could not see the hills distinctly, although we were close under them.

The flies were also incessant in their persecuting attacks.

What with flies and dust, and heat and indisposition, I scarcely ever remember to have spent a more disagreeable day in my life.