Sturt could do nothing but return to camp and await Hume's report.

All search for the lost river proved vain.
Hume had found a serpentine sheet of water to the north which he was inclined to think was the continuation of the elusive Macquarie.

He had pushed on past it, but had been checked by another body of reed beds.

It was decided to shift camp to this lagoon and launch the boat once more; but without result, for the boat was hauled ashore again after having vainly followed the supposed channel in amongst reeds and shallows.

Again the leader and his second went forward on a scouting trip.