AURORA AUSTRALIS.
swept us off in the strong current; we were eventually carried into a great salt lake.
As the only fresh water available for drinking purposes consisted of that which chanced to have been caught in the bilges of our craft, great relief was felt when a steady wind set in driving us gently before it. Two days later we were fortunate enough to reach the further shore and, entering the debouchure of a large stream, succeeded in travelling some distance up it with a still favourable wind. Finally, on account of the opposing current we had to abandon the water and march on land. One morning, just as most of us were rising, a scampering noise was heard without, accompanied by encouraging shouts of “Hi yah! hi yah! stick it, boy.” Presently one of the equestrians, who had risen early to take his accustomed morning walk, came riding up, mounted on a new species of a monstrous mite. He pulled rein with a “How’s this for a specimen, Mr. Biologist?” “Go to —— ” was the answer, which meant that scientist was not having any.
This portion of our journey proved very wearying, as our daily marches were extended as long as possible. The direction in which we had been travelling, being across the main topographic features of Bathybia, was
