Large watercourse—­lake of fresh water—­heavy rains—­reach mount
barren—­salt lakes and streams—­barren scrubby country—­ranges behind
king George’s sound are seen—­brackish ponds—­pass Cape Riche—­A large
salt river—­chains of ponds—­good land—­heavily timbered country—­cold
weather—­fresh lake—­the Candiup river—­King’s river—­excessive
rains—­arrival at king George’s sound and termination of the
expedition—­reception of Wylie by the natives.

June 24.—­Upon moving on early this morning, we crossed the bed of a considerable watercourse, containing large deep pools of brackish water, but unconnected at present by any stream.  The late hour at which we halted last night had prevented us from noticing this larger chain of ponds, and of which, that we were encamped upon formed only a branch.  The country we now passed through, varied but little in character, except that the shrubs became higher, with a good deal of the Eucalyptus dumosa intermingled with them, and were entangled together by matted creepers or vines, which made it extremely difficult and fatiguing to force a way through.  The whole was very sterile, and without grass.

After travelling nine miles, we passed on our right a small lake of fresh water; and two miles beyond this another, about a mile in circumference, but deep, and evidently of a permanent character.  Close to this fresh water lake was another, divided from it by only a narrow neck of land, and yet the latter was as salt as the sea.  We had only made a short stage as yet; but as there was a little food for the horses near the lake, I thought it more prudent to halt there than run the risk of being left without in the wretched looking country before us,

The Mount Barren ranges were observed again, but the weather was cloudy, so that I could make nothing out distinctly.  In the afternoon, Wylie shot three teal, of which there were numbers on the lake.  At night, our baggage and clothes had nearly all been destroyed by fire, a spark having been carried by the wind to the tarpaulin which covered them, and which, as it had been but newly tarred, was soon in a blaze.  I was fortunate enough, however, to observe the accident in time to save our other effects.