Part 25 (1/2)

Steering north-east and east for threea salt creek, came to the ter roots; on observing us they decae of rocky hills, which we could not ascend with our horses from their steep and rocky character We therefore steered north-west to a green patch of bushes in the plain, and at twoand 30 yards wide, on which were numerous ducks and other water-fowl Here we halted for one and a half hours, and then by a north-west and west course, passing through grassy plains and patches of forest, reached the carees

6th October

Started at 810 a creek, crossed it at the head of the salt water, and proceeding up the stream three-quarters of a mile, encamped Near the creeka native man and tomen, ere much alarmed at the sudden appearance of the party, and retreated across the plain

By a rees 40 minutes 4 seconds at this camp

7th October

At 80 arassy plain, beyond which we passed a low stony ridge thinly wooded with small trees; at 940 crossed a deep watercourse, aterholes and grassy flats, and at 1015 pm came to a second creek, which was followed up to the east-north-east till 1120, e halted at a srass; at 1 pm I rode to the north and east to seek a rassy flat and pool of good water one and a half her up the creek, the partyDean with me, I proceeded to the south of the camp to ascertain the most convenient ascent of the rocky hills which bounded the plain

Following a small valley into the hills, after two hours' ride ca to the south, the valley of which afforded a practicable line of route We therefore returned to the camp at noon At 30 pm

started with the party, andTherrees at 1 pm

9th October

Started at 80 ah a rocky valley between sandstone ranges, the strata of which dip to the west at a high angle--30 degrees to 40 degrees; at 1015 a several stony ridges which came close to the bank of the creek, at 1130 arass; here we halted for two hours, and then returned to caory and Bow found them about ten miles to the north-west of the camp, at the reedy swarees; noon, 114 degrees; 6 prees

ENCOUNTER STEEP ROCKY RANGES

10th October

At 750 am started with the whole party, and proceeded down the creek to the head of the salt water, and then by a detour a creek visited yesterday, and encaory in a southerly direction, and after an hour's ride came to the Fitzmaurice River, which varied froeneral course nearly east and west; the channel was full of rocks and banks which were dry at loater, the rise of the tide nearly twenty feet The hills which bounded the valley of the creek we had descended tere between it and the river; we therefore returned about half a mile to the north, and, after a toilsoe and halted at a s on its eastern side till 20 p two small dry creeks; after a fruitless search for a suitable spot to which the ca no fresh water in the creeks, we turned towards the cae, as we everywhere encountered steep rocks and ravines, and were glad to extricate ourselves frorassy flat

11th October

At 430 ath found a practicable route for the pack-horses, passing a s of water at 70 a our absence one of our best pack animals had died, apparently froe; but the horse Drummer was so weak that he fell several tith co crossed the hills to the Fitzmaurice River, we proceeded up the valley and halted at a salt creek seven or eight yards wide, there being a little green grass on its banks

Latitude by observation b Pegasi and a Androrees 47 minutes 18 seconds

HORSES BITTEN BY ALLIGATORS CROSS THE FITZMAURICE RIVER

12th October

During the night the horses were several ti that the cause was ascertained, e found that they had been attacked by the alligators, and three were severely bitten and scratched At 80 am started to follow up the river; but the rocky hills approached so close to its banks as to leave no passage, and we had to ascend the range, which was not an easy task; after three hours of severe toil under a scorching sun we reached a more practicable country, and at 330 pm encamped on the bank of the river, above the influence of the tide, fifty yards wide Two of the horses had been left about a mile froht in to the carees 51 minutes 37 seconds

13th October

At 70 am crossed to the left bank of the river at a stony bar where the water formed a rapid twenty yards wide and two feet deep; we then followed the river up for half an hour and altered the course to south-south-east, along a running creek ten to twenty yards wide; at 85 a stream from the west; at 1030 a rested them at a pool of water, one revived, but were coed to return to the creek about a an to fail, and though we rested till 30 pm, the second horse was unable to proceed, and was therefore abandoned Since these horses were landed they have not had strength to rise without assistance, and it has been necessary to even watch the to lift the our route, the valley was about twoit on the east and west; there were a few pools of water in the creek, but the country was poor and stony with a few patches of grass; at 50 pni 15 degrees 1 minute 10 seconds

14th October