Part 15 (2/2)

Carees 2up natives Large pools of salt water in river Three walking and three riding every day Set watch to-night, two hours each

May 1st

Followed up river, keeping a little to the south of it for about fifteen e pool of fresh water in it Shot several ducks This is the best carass and water--and I was very rejoiced to find the month corees at 530 phted Mount Gould, which bore North 58 degrees East20th camp from Geraldton

MEETING NATIVES

2nd

Steered straight for Mount Gould, North 58 degrees East, for sixteen miles, when I found I had ly crossed the river thisthe chart, I steered South-East towards Mount Hale and, striking the river, we followed along it a short distance and carees East, and Mount Gould North 28 degrees East Barorees at 530 p, he suddenly turned round and saw four or five natives following Being rather surprised, he frightened the, ”What the devil you want here?” when they quickly made off Windich and I then tried to speak to therees 57 rees 20 minutes East

3rd (Sunday)

Went to summit of Mount Hale in company with Pierre, and after an hour's hard work reached it It was very rough and difficult to ascend The rocks were very netic; the vieas extensive; indeed, the whole country was an extended plain To the east, plains for at least thirty es were visible Mount Gould to the North-North-East showed very ree was visible

To the south, only one hill or range could be seen, while to the South-East broken ranges of granite were seen about thirty ed, and is conetic, the compass was rendered useless Returned about one o'clock Windich and the others had been out searching for fresh water, and the former had seen three natives and had a talk with thehtened, but he could not ood water Barorees Took observations for tiht we should have had so To-morroe enter on country entirely unknown

4th

Started at nine o'clock, and, travelling North-East for three ot some fresh water, also met two natives ere friendly, and they accompanied us We took the south ora little south of east for about nine rassed country, we camped on a small pool of fresh water on one of the courses of the river, Mount Gould bearing North 334 degrees 30 rees 30 rees at 6 pulus

Marked a tree F 22, being 22nd camp from Geraldton

LOFTY RANGES

5th

We travelled up easterly along the river, which spreads out and has several channels, soain There were many fine fresh pools for the first four miles, after which they were all salt, and the river divided into so many channels that it was difficult to know the rassy plains and flats, ere joined by seven natives, who had returned with the tho had left us thisThey told us that there was no fresh water on the branch ere following, and we therefore followed the the river to the southward), when they brought us to a s North 285 degrees 30 netic

Latitude 25 degrees 52 minutes from rees at 6 PM

6th

Three of the natives accompanied us to-day We travelled east for six miles, when I ascended a rise and could see a river to the north and south; the one to the north the natives say has fresh water As the natives say there is plenty of water ahead, North 70 degrees East, we continued onwards to a hill, which I named Mount Maitland After about twentyto be bad, and after digging no water came For our relief I tied up the horses for so the hill close to the cales The compass is useless on these hills, as they are composed of netic To the east a line of high, re eastwards, which I have nae, after his Excellency Governor Robinson One of the highest points I named Mount Fraser, after the Honourable Commissioner of Crown Lands, from whom I received much assistance and consideration, and who has aided the expedition in every possible way; the other highest point, Mount Padbury, after Mr W Padbury, a contributor to the Expedition Fund The river could be traced for thirtylines of white gums could also be seen I a the one to the north, as it looks the largest and the natives say it has fresh water Barorees at 6 prees 46 rassy plains, well adapted for sheep-runs; and water could, I think, be easily procured by digging, as well as from the river

7th

The three natives ran away thisleave We had to keep watch all last night over the horses to keep therees East for about twelve miles, we reached the river, and cae branch; it is fresh, and I believe, if not the est branches The country is now rassed, and would carry sheep well

The whole bed of the river, or valley, is admirably adapted for pastoral purposes, and will no doubt ere long be stocked Latitude 25 degrees 42 rees 9 rees at 530 p the 25th camp from Champion Bay

8th

Continued up the river for about fifteens into it; wide bed and flat

Fine grassy country on each side, and some permanent pools in river

Cae to the North-East, froot a fine view to the eastward I do not think the river we are following goes es and a few hills alone visible Barorees at 6 o'clock prees 47 minutes 53 seconds by meridian altitude of Jupiter

9th

Continued along river, which is gradually getting srassy country, the best we have seen

White guonow very small Found a nice pool of water and carees at half-past five o'clock

THE DRY SEASON

10th (Sunday)