the group left chambers creek on 8 january 1862 moving fast, covering between 30 and 50 kilometres a day. the fast pace meant that in the first three weeks eight horses died and woodforde left and went back. stuart left some of the supplies behind and cut the amount each man was allowed to eat. at mount hay in central australia, they were again attacked by aboriginal warriors, but they were no match for the group's guns and several may have been killed.