The relief of the expedition under the command of Mr.
Burke, or the acquiring a knowledge of its fate. This is the great
object of the expedition under your command.
When you may have accomplished the foregoing, or may have deemed it
necessary to abandon the search for Mr. Burke, then,
Secondly. The acquiring a knowledge of the country between Eyre's
Creek and Central Mount Stuart.
Thirdly. The acquiring a knowledge of the western shores of Lake
Eyre. A separate letter of instructions is given to you and the
particular matters to which you will direct your attention in this
locality.
. . .
I had been in Adelaide nearly a month when I was startled by
the following note, from Major Egerton Warburton:--
September 19th.
MY DEAR SIR,
Would you kindly call in at my office? I have important news
which must interest you.
Yours very truly,
J. EGERTON WARBURTON.
. . .
I hastened to him, and asked, almost breathlessly, "What
news--good or bad?" He replied, "Not so bad;" and then gave me the
information which was made known in the House of Assembly that
night, and embodied in the Adelaide Advertiser, the next day, to
the following effect:--
On Thursday morning, considerable interest was excited in
Adelaide by a rumour to the effect that intelligence from the
interior had been received of Burke's party.
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