prepare the animals which he had speared, or knocked on the head.

It was with the greatest difficulty that Captain Spencer prevented Kinchela from again eating too much, and as it was he fell back and slept. "He wants a little starvation," said his master to himself; "he behaved better in times of suffering, but we know not how soon he may have to learn a fresh lesson." They travelled on the next day, ascending the cliffs, and descending to the shore, where they were more likely to meet with native wells. Here they found some beautiful shells, Patellæ, and Phasianellæ, and the cliffs were often composed of grey granite. The changes of temperature were frequent, and in one hour there would be a difference of several degrees. One evening they were assailed by a heavy sea-fog, which caused them to shiver and feel very uncomfortable. Captain Spencer covered them all, and himself with the cloaks and tarpauling, and Charlie, like all pretenders, misapplied his knowledge sadly as he crept under the covering, and said," J'ai chaud, Ned Spencer." After this Kinchela seemed to be incessantly fatigued; the horse and dog no longer made excursions of their own, but followed soberly in their master's tracks; moreover, Gip often asked to be carried. Captain Spencer himself felt an indescribable languor creeping over him, and thinking that that damp night, and the continued reflection of warm air from the cliffs had engendered a certain portion of fever, he deemed it advisable to leave the immediate vicinity of the sea, and go more inland for the sake of a dryer atmosphere. His compass, he flattered himself, was regular in its movements, and that there would be no difficulty in keeping the proper direction for Adelaide. He im

mediately chose the first accessible part of the cliff, by which Tiger mounted with his load, and all things secured, they started early in the morning, and were saluted on their arrival above by the odour of the Clematis, and a number of Gum-trees in the distance.

CHAPTER IX.

Spinifex.-Bark of Gum-tree.-Excrescence on tree.-Well.-Rhagodia.-Water scarce.-Water from Gum-trees.-Hot wind.-Dew. -Salt lake.-Salsola.— Mirage.-Gum-tree roots.- Emigrating birds.-Cold wind and frost.-Hakea.-Curious stones.-Absence of animal and vegetable life.—Sand, quartz, iron.-Scorching sun. -No water, no food.-Distress of Captain Spencer.-Dog and horse suffer much.-Tiger appears to die.-Sorrow of Captain Spencer.-Kinchela lies down to die.-Captain Spencer gives himself up for lost, and becomes insensible.-A shower in the night somewhat revives him.-A Pigeon shows the way to some water.—Captain Spencer rouses himself and reaches the place, drinks, and takes some to his companions.-All go to the well.-Kinchela and Gipsy eat Kangaroo skin and fall asleep.-While sitting with his face between his hands Captain Spencer's hat is taken off.-Sees Tiger with it in his mouth.-Joy.-Rest three days.-Mountains.- Country improves.-Copious rain.-Old Man.

POOR Tiger was henceforth obliged to content himself with dry and withered grass, for the Xanthorrhoea and Kingii were getting very scarce, and nothing seemed to offer itself as a likely substitute. The young shoots of trees were occasionally boiled for him when there was water, but those of the Gum-trees turned black on being so treated, and then his master feared to give them to him. Digging holes in the sand of dried beds generally yielded some liquid; but never unless it was a large pool did Captain Spencer enjoy the luxury of water ablution; on one occasion, however, he was disappointed even of this, for, just as he had walked in up to the knees, he saw the

water full of small brown leeches, so that he was forced to make his escape as quickly as possible, with bleeding legs. Sand rubbing in the Arab fashion was therefore resumed, and dry enough it was to scrub very hard; and there was no moisture in his skin to soften it, as is generally the case when drought is coming on in this country. When the diggings began to fail he felt great alarm, and whole tracts of Spinifex increased poor Tiger's difficulties. Gip profited much by the smaller animals in it, and Kinchela, who was fast recovering his former good temper and activity, still kept up his spirits. He told his master that he could get him plenty of meal, and he gathered the seeds of the withered grass,* which was almost too dry for the horse, separated them from the husks and pounded them; or he took the bark of the Gum-trees and roasted and crushed that, which was a little bitter, nevertheless palatable. "It will make us strong," said Captain Spencer. "Yes," replied the man, "black fellow eat nothing else for long time." On the following day there was no water to moisten the meal, and Kinchela found a tree with large excrescences; he tapped each, and listened, stuck his knife into one, and from it issued a quantity of fluid, which answered the purpose; it was rather bitter, nevertheless Tiger drank it, but he seemed to consider that that master who had hitherto supplied all his wants, no longer obeyed his request for drink. Two days had passed without liquid of any sort, but towards evening a flight of black Cockatoos and other birds passed over their heads from the north, and descended to the ground at a little distance. "Boccolo, see those birds," said the native; "they always go down and find water, we find some too." He

Panicum lævinode.

and his master started with cans and skins, and on arriving where the Cockatoos had alighted in numbers, they perceived a native well, carefully covered over with stones. Gip was only too happy to help frighten away the Cockatoos, and Charlie fought with two or three who were more bold than the others, so that they were all kept at bay, while Captain Spencer removed the stones. The water was green and muddy, but Tiger and Gip were glad of it; then came Kinchela's turn to be served, and but a cup full remained for their master. Some of the birds were killed for eating, and the rest took flight with loud screeches. The stones were replaced, and it was hoped that water would drain in before morning. A mere drop was obtained, in which Charlie was allowed to dip his bill once or twice, the rest was bestowed on the four-footed beasts. "All's right," said the good bird, as the well was finally closed; and Kinchela came in for praise on the score of forbearance, his master being always particularly careful to do this when he could, and never excited the sensitive jealousy, which he, in common with many other savages, possessed; not confining it to the human race, but extending it to all objects of preference or affection.

The route was more and more difficult, and the travellers proceeded slowly through a monotonous but hard sort of scrub, formed of Rhagodia, in which they saw many Pigeons which had crept under the bushes, apparently in the course of their migration from the north, and some of which they secured. That night they all lay down to rest without a drop of moisture for their parched throats, and Tiger crept close up to his master, and laid his head upon his shoulder, as if he knew the serious alarm which that master felt for his dear horse, and