Friends lent their assistance, enthusiasm was aroused, and in little more than three weeks from the time when Eyre proposed the expedition, he started on his journey.

Five Europeans accompanied him, and two natives, black boys, were attached to the party, which was provided with thirteen horses, forty sheep, and provisions for three months.

Lake Torrens was reached, and then the difficulties of the expedition began.

Although dignified with the name of lake, it proved to be an enormous swamp, without surface water, and the mud coated with a thin layer of salt.

The party struggled to effect a passage, and penetrated into the slime for six miles, until they were in imminent danger of sinking.