Poole,
who I also proposed sending in charge of them. He was much affected, but,
seeing the necessity of the measure, said that he was ready to obey my
orders in all things. I directed Mr. Piesse to weigh out and place apart
the supplies that would be required for Mr. Poole and his men, and to
pack the provisions we should retain in the most compact order. On
examining our bacon we found that it had lost more than half its weight,
and had now completely saturated the bran in which it had been packed.
Our flour had lost more than 8 per cent., and the tea in a much greater
proportion.
The most valuable part of our stock were the sheep, they had kept in
excellent condition, and seldom weighed less than 55 lbs. or 65 lbs.; but
their flesh was perfectly tasteless. Still they were a most valuable
stock, and we had enough remaining to give the men a full allowance; for
the parties employed on detached excursions, could only take a day or
two's supply with them, and in consequence a quantity of back rations, if
I may so term them, were constantly accumulating.
Mr. Poole's reduced state of health rendered it necessary that a dray
should be prepared for his transport, and I requested Mr. Browne to
superintend every possible arrangement for his comfort. A dray was
accordingly lined with sheep skins, and had a flannel tilt, as the nights
were exceedingly cold, and he could not be moved to a fire.
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