Part 43 (1/2)

Latitude by Vega 17 degrees 52 minutes 35 seconds

THE ALBERT RIVER A MARKED TREE

31st August (Sunday)

Rode down the creek with Mr H Gregory At two miles from the camp came to the junction of a s a fine reach of water, which we recognised as the Albert River of Captain Stokes This spot between the two creeks was the rendezvous appointed for the two sections of the Expedition, and though, fro the Victoria, the Toh could scarcely be expected to have arrived before us, on approaching the spotseveralup ORE RCH TO 1856,

but were disappointed in our hope that the vessel had reached the Albert, as these marks consisted of several names of seamen, who appeared to have formed the crew of a boat sent up the river by HM stea any ht it probable that the object of the visit ht have been to communicate with the Expedition; but the nature of the inscriptions and the absence of anything which led to even a surmise of as the object of the visit caused us to come to the conclusion that it had no reference to the North Australian Expedition From the state of the ashes of the fire and branches of the trees which had been cut and broken, it appeared that several weeks had elapsed, and consequently the Torch was not likely to still be in or near the river In accordance with arrangements made with Mr Baines, I marked a tree thus:

NAE AUG 30 DIG1YD TO E

in order to apprise hi reached the Albert, and of our prospectiveto the camp, wrote a memorandum of the visit of the Expedition and a note to Mr Baines, infor other marks and memoranda at the junction of the salt-water arm of the river, and then continue without delay our route towards Moreton Bay These memoranda were enclosed in a powder-canister, and Messrs Elsey and Bowman took them down to the marked tree and buried theory towards the Nicholson River, crossing Beame's Brook Steered north-north-east four and a half rassy plain with stripes of box-trees As we could see four or five miles farther, and no indication of the river, returned to the ca ascertained that the Nicholson River does not join the Albert, unless many miles below the junction of Beaether form the Albert River

1st September

At 740 am steered east to the South Creek, which we found at the distance of twoplace, as the channel was verybeen found, we filled up the channel, which o yards wide, with pandanus ste east-north-east two miles across wide level plains, with patches of box-trees, turned north at noon and struck the Albert just below the junction of the South Creek and Bea the water brackish, we did not proceed farther down the river, and enca the bank of the river indicates that the water is often salt to the head of the Albert

Latitude by Vega 17 degrees 51 minutes 55 seconds

2nd Septe very brackish, it became evident that we should be unable to procure fresh water if we followed it towards the sea, and therefore I decided on leaving the letters I had written to Mr

Baines at this spot, and accordingly marked a tree thus:

NAEXPDN AUG 30 1856 DIG2YDN

and buried a tin canister with letters, stating that the exploring party was to start the followingMr

Baines to remain at the Albert till the 29th September, 1856, in case any unforeseen circumstance should compel the party to return to the Albert within that period Five ar, etc, and three months' supply of meat at full ration still remained; and as our horses would supply the deficiency of meat, if required, we have sufficient quantity of provisions to enable the party to reach the settled part of New South Wales, unless extraordinary difficulties should be encountered; under the circumstances it did not appear prudent to delay at the Albert River, as the arrival of the Toht be deferred for an indefinite period

3rd September

Left our camp at 645 arassy plains; at 100 came on a small creek, which we followed half an hour to the north-east, e cah tides I therefore steered south-east till 50 pe creek trending north The country consists of vast open level plains, separated by narrow belts of box and ter rather short and dry grass On approaching the waterhole at which we encamped, a black and three or four women were found camped on the opposite side of the creek; they cli the branches till dusk, when they descended to their fires and reat noise till 90, when they decamped This creek is probably the head of the salt-water arm of the Albert River or of the Disaster River

Latitude by Vega 18 degrees 2 rees east

THE ”PLAINS OF PROMISE,” LEICHHARDT RIVER

4th Septee open plains thinly grassed; passed a dry watercourse with a small waterhole in one of the back channels, but insufficient for our horses, and at noon carassy flat Mr Elsey walked half a hty yards wide, but observing so nine blacks came towards us, and appeared inclined to hostilities; but, after a short interview, retired up the creek These blacks were not circumcised, and their teeth were perfect; they had neither ornahtly scarred on the back and chest Their spears were large and heavy, le piece of wood, and thrown by hand; they had also smaller ones of reed, ooden points, which were throith the throwing board, which were flattened vertically; clubs two and a half feet long and two and a half inches in diale piece of wood two and a half feet long and three inches wide The river proved to be fresh, and in pools separated by rock flats, and is evidently the same that Dr Leichhardt supposed to be the Albert--a mistake which has caused considerable error in the maps of his route; as it was not named, I called it the Leichhardt The character of the country is inferior, as the grass which covers the plains is principally aristidia and andropogon; anthisteria or kangaroo grass only in sood brown loarees 11 minutes 50 seconds