Part 15 (1/2)

Our route lay by way of Kolonaday, North Spring, Tinderlong, and Bilyera to Yuin, Mr Burges's principal station, which we reached on the 9th, and remained until Monday the 13th Then we started on a route east-north-east, and canohere we found good feed and water My brother and Kennedy went on in advance to Poondarrie, to dig water-holes, and we rejoined them there on the 14th This place is situated in latitude 27 degrees 48 rees 16day ere very busy packing up the rations, for I had arranged to send back the cart, gone on in advance We had eight e, and I certainly experienced so how to carry such a trehteen pack-horses, and a dozen natives who accompanied us I intended to start on the 16th, but one of the horses was h Pierre and I tracked hiive up the search for that night, as darkness ca day, however, we followed up the tracks, and caught the horse after a chase of twenty miles He had started on the return journey, and was only a mile from Yuin e overtook him

CAMELS AND HORSES IN THE DESERT

By half-past nine on theof the 18th we had made a fair start

The day was intensely hot, and as we had only three riding-horses, half of the party were compelled to walk We travelled in a north-easterly direction for elevenout, and so obtained sufficient water for our horses I may mention here that Colonel Warburton and other explorers who endeavoured to cross the great inland desert fro provided with cae indeed in a country where the water supply is so scanty and uncertain as in Central Australia As we ascertained by painful experience, a horse requires water at least once in twelve hours, and suffers greatly if that period of abstinence is exceeded A cao for ten or twelve days without drink, without being much distressed This fact should be re water for the horses entailed upon usdeviations froreat privation and inconvenience toto practice, we rested Every Sunday throughout the journey I read Divine Service, and, exceptthe daily observations, only work absolutely necessary was done Whenever possible, we rested on Sunday, taking, if we could, a pigeon, a parrot, or such other gaht come in our way as special fare Sunday's dinner was an institution for which, even in those inhospitable wilds, we had a great respect This day, the 19th, ascertained, by meridian altitude of the sun, that ere in latitude 27 degrees 40 eons and parrots, which, unfortunately for theuns

While thus resting, Police constable Haydon arrived fro letters and a thermometer (broken on the journey), also a baroood-bye to the last white man ere destined to see for nearly six months

After the usual difficulty with the horses, which had again wandered, we started on Monday, the 20th, at half-past ten, and steering about 30 degrees East of north for sevencalled Bullardo, and seven , where there was scarcely any water or feed We were now in latitude 27 degrees 33 rees East netic

I now take up the narrative in the words ofthe third of the routes which the letter of instructions left to my discretion

April 21st

Continued on North 340 degrees East to Cheangwa Hill fourKoonbun, and on to a place called Pingie, on the Sandford River Frorees East rees East, latitude 27 degrees 19Rather war water-courses; otherwise dense thickets

THE MURCHISON RIVER

22nd

Continued northerly; at twelve e between the Sandford and other creeks flowing into the Murchison Ca on its north side Got a view of Mount Murchison, which bore North 7 degrees East ranite country for the first eight miles to-day Splendid feed at this camp Travelled about fifteen rees 7in turns every day

23rd

Steering a little west of north over level country for six uranite country with bare hills in every direction Kept on till we came to a brook with pools of fresh water, where we camped about one rees 52 rees East Went with Pierre to a peak of granite North 50 degrees East, about one les and bearings Travelled about eighteen miles to-day

24th

At oneup it Fine grassy flats, good loaums in bed and on flats

Travelled about fourteen miles, and camped Rather brackish water in the pools Latitude of caulus Shot seven ducks and eight cockatoos Saw several kangaroos and emus Rain rees East, and Mount Narryer North 14 degrees East netic

25th

Continued up river for about ninein the bed of river, of fresh water, which I na; it is surrounded by salt water, and is quite fresh Mount Narryer bore fronetic, and Mount Murchison North 168 degrees 30 netic Windich shot an e river; white gue salt pools Very hot weather; therrees in pack-saddle

26th (Sunday)

Did not travel to-day Plotted up track and took observations for tirees at 6 prees 35 ulus

27th

Travelled up river for about sixteen rees 24 rees East, and Mount Dugel North 334 degrees Eastriver Shot six ducks; great numbers were in the river, also white cockatoos Very warht bank of river

A SOLITARY CAMP OUT

28th

Followed up the river Fine pools for the first sixabout twentytoo far to the east, and following branches instead of the rassed plains forwe should be without water, I pushed ahead, and after following a flat for about six e pools of brackish water As it was getting late, returned in all haste, but could not find the party, they having struck ard I got on the tracks after dark, and, after following the up

29th

I anxiously awaited daylight, and then followed on the tracks and overtook the party, encamped on the main branch of the river, with abundance of brackish water in the pools Shot several cockatoos Frorees 30 rees 15 rees 6 ht bank of river

30th

Two of the horses could not be found till half-past twelve After this we continued up the river over well-grassed country for about ten miles