AUSTRALIAN EXPLORATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2133, 23 January 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN EXPLORATION.

Some of the perils of exploring the | great Australian continent are graphically described by that indomitable traveller Mr Alexander Forrest, in some notes from his journal which appear in the December number of tho Victorian “ Review.” They relate to his latest expedition to the north-West from which he recently returned. On seaboard they found finely-grassed plains, then lofty and almost inaccessable ranges. “ The scenery was amazingly beautiful. It is impossible to describe the loveliness of the gorges, covered with a luxuriant growth of tall trees and a tangle of, exquisitely r ' colored creepers, with waterfalls and streams of crystal purity flowing'dbWff ' them. I felt as if I had found my way into an earthly paradise.” ..The. horses could not be taken through the| cliffs and jungle, and it was resolved to explore the level country inland. Mr Forrest’s brother had been sunstruck, many of the horses had died of -1 fatigue, and the provisions were so 0 reduced that for the first time they had. r to kill one of the horses for food/ ~ The usual misfortunes befell the patty. Most of the men, from sickness and want of food, and water could nowhere be lit upon. The only chance now was for somebody to push on to the telegraph line supposed to ho a hundred.* miles ahead, and by following whicliu assistance might, be reached, and help brought to the party. This happily was accomplished, and all were rescued. The leader with a companion started in search of the telegraph line. He describes what followd: —

The weather was fearfully hot. The country we were crossing was level plains for miles, parched and waterless. The heat dried up the water in the drums. We began to suffer agonies of t thirst. For forty hours not a drop of water passed our lips. I thought we must have perished, but we still continued to struggle on by day and night for bare life. Our tongues swelled in our mouths, and our senses began ftp reel. We managed to shoot a hawk, and, cutting bis throat sucked his blood, but it did not afford us any relief., We could no longer speak to one another. We tried to gain some relief from the torture, by sucking a stone but the salivary glands refused to work, and the stones dropped from our mouths as dry as when they were put in. To heighten the horror of our situation, our horses knocked up, and we were obliged to lead them. Still we toiled on, as I judged from my bearings that the line was not now far ahead. After a walk of about two miles, • we struck the line. We both fell on our knees, and thanked God for our escape

from death. Had; rWQ| succumbed on this /terrible journey, the whole party must have perished in the desert. Following-the lineup for three niiles we came upon an iron tank full of water. Men and horses' rushed to it to drinks the hprses never nave ehough. They drank each, I should suppose fully fifteen gallons. As ior-, ourselves, : a full gallon.-each did not t; satisfy, the eager craving, .for, the precious fluid. We returned to' the tAiik Again' au ! d'jigain;'-asTf like’the horses we never * dorild’havdf- enough. We supped at night on a little damper and a piece of an owl, which we, had luckily shot.ahd roasted. ” ' ’ ! !