"On the Darling, 4th October 1860.
"My dear S——,
"I received your letter, and was glad to hear of the safe arrival of your friend B——. We have been resting here a few days, awaiting the arrival of the baggage, which has just come up. To-morrow we proceed on, and I shall not delay anywhere until I reach Cooper's Creek—being an Irishman I must add, unless I can't help it.
"I leave the hired waggons and my own behind. The accursed impediments, the ruin of so many expeditions, I am determined shall not ruin me.
"We all march on foot three or four hundred miles at all events, and the camels and horses will have to carry our weight in provisions.
"We have already done so for the last forty miles. You should have seen old B——'s face, upon my announcing that all the officers would have to act as working men, and that we should only carry 30 lbs. weight of baggage for each man.
"Loading camels and then marching twenty miles is no joke. The first two days of it nearly choked poor B——, and I think he will not be able to stand it much longer.
"I am still confident of success, and willing to accept the alternative of success or disgrace, although failure is possible. This self-imposed task (as you justly call it) is no sinecure, and I think will take the sting out of me if I see it out. Good-bye, my dear S——.
"From yours, ever sincerely,