Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 2Grey, George
History
Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 2
Grey, George
Natural history -- Australia -- Western Australia; Western Australia -- Discovery and exploration
In answer to our anxious enquiries respecting Mr. Walker and Mr. Smith we
learnt that the former, being much the strongest of the party, had, at
their request, made the best of his way towards Perth ten days since, in
order to send them out assistance, and that Mr. Smith, having been
totally unable to proceed with them any further, had remained behind, in
a dying state, four days ago. Touched by this distressing intelligence,
and sensibly alive to the value of time, we lost not a moment in lifting
our three light weights on our horses, and by supporting them in their
seats conveyed them over the sandhills to the more level space behind,
where sufficient brushwood was scattered about for maintaining a fire.
Here Mr. Spofforth kindly undertook their charge, while I should proceed
with Kinchela and Warrup in search of poor Smith.
Ruston having expressed himself very anxious to accompany us, and fearing
that we might not otherwise accomplish our object, after receiving some
suitable refreshment, he was mounted, and we all set off at as quick a
pace as he could manage. At the end of three miles a good view of the
coast to the northward was opened to us from the summit of a rising
ground, and Ruston pointed out, at the distance of 24 miles, an island
near which he said young Smith had been left. As this was far beyond the
six or seven miles of which they had at first spoken, and totally
precluded the possibility of my returning that night with the water-kegs
which I had taken to be filled at some wells which they had seen in the
vicinity, I relinquished all idea of proceeding, while the sun was then
touching the horizon, and we accordingly rejoined Mr. Spofforth and his
charge. We were now perfectly satisfied of the wandering inconsistency in
the conversation of the three rescued men, who were evidently to a
considerable extent delirious or light-headed. Being too sore in body and
excited in mind to admit much sleep to their assistance, they were full
of their expressions of thankfulness for their timely deliverance, and at
length terminated a long and weary night.
DISCOVERY OF HIS BODY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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