CHAPTER VIII LEAVE THE DEPOT FOR THE NORTH-WEST--SCARCITY OF WATER--FOSSIL

LIMESTONE--ARRIVE AT THE FIRST CREEK--EXTENSIVE PLAINS-- SUCCESSION OF CREEKS--FLOODED CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY--POND WITH FISH--STERILE COUNTRY--GRASSY PLAINS--INTREPID NATIVE-- COUNTRY APPARENTLY IMPROVES--DISAPPOINTMENTS--WATER FOUND-- APPEARANCE OF THE STONY DESERT--NIGHT THEREON--THE EARTHY PLAIN--HILLS RAISED BY REFRACTION--RECOMMENCEMENT OF THE SAND RIDGES--THEIR UNDEVIATING REGULARITY--CONJECTURES AS TO THE DESERT--RELATIVE POSITION OF LAKE TORRENS--CONCLUDING REMARKS.