Part 20 (1/2)

Continued on to the water found ahead, and on our way saw some clay-holes ater and satisfied the horses When near the spring, saw natives'

tracks, and shortly afterwards a fire with a whole kangaroo roasting in it The natives hadContinuing on, and passing the native well, we reached the granite rocks, twodinner o natives about a quarter of aus; we beckoned to them, and Windich and I approached the off sloe could not get close to theh they did not appear to be afraid of us Soes are visible frorees 54 minutes 53 seconds South, bythe 70th camp from Geraldton Barometer 2826 at 5 pm We are not in the latitude of Mr Gosse's track by fifteen miles, yet there are tracks only about two miles south of us! I cannot account for this The tracks may be Mr Giles's, as I cannot think Mr Gosse could be out in his latitude

12th

Left ca my brother to follow on to-rassy flats towards soood spot for water, we turned east towards it, over ranite rocks and holes, but not ive the horses a drink If there was rain, there would be enough water here for athe figtree (Ficus Platypoda), with ripe fruit about the size of a bullet, which tasted very ood Fine hills and ranges to the eastward, and country very prorassed After resting two hours we pushed on about east, and, after going five e and found two fine rock holes, sufficient to satisfy the horses Continuing on, we caranite hill, which I named Mount Elvire No water for the horses Found the old horse-tracks, just before we ca from eastward I cannot make them out to be Mr Gosse's; they reat number of horses', but am uncertain if there are any camel-tracks

IN SAFETY

13th

Found a rock hole with about forty gallons of water in it close to ca the old tracks, going nearly North-East, and passed a gnow's nest, where they had apparently got out eggs Shortly afterwards found where the party had cah hills and ranges; then we left theully and over a hill, brought us to a fine spring of good water in a gully We ca for our party, which will reach here to-morrow

We watched at the water for e, one of which Windich shot Fine grass, although old and dry, down this gully Ranges in every direction The country contrasts strikingly e have been travelling through for the last threehave not been to this spring, so they must have missed it All my troubles were now over, inasmuch as I felt sure ould accomplish our journey and reach the settled districts of South Australia; although, as it afterwards proved, we had many days of hard work and some privation yet to endure Still the country was ave out publicly to the party that ere now in safety, and in all huraph line I need not add how pleased all were at having at last bridged over that awful, desolate spinifex desert

14th

Went to a hill close to cahbourhood, and erected a pile of stones About 1 o'clock the party arrived all safe

They reported having seen three natives the day we left, and had induced thear and a red handkerchief each; they did not re and thick, and e barbs on them The party had finished all the water on their way, the horses yesterday having drank over ten gallons each This afternoon I took a round of angles and bearings from a pile of stones on the hill

Marked a tree F 72, near spring, which I na, after the Honourable FP Barlee, Colonial Secretary of Western Australia, from whom I have ever received reat interest in this expedition A re, which I naitude about 127 degrees 22 et latitude: too cloudy

15th

Left cathe South side of a rocky range for ten et a view ahead About thirty es from North-East and round to South-East; they are no doubt the Cavanagh Ranges of Mr Gosse About five ranite rocks, to which we proceeded, and found a tree rocks and coes appears to be all spinifex and red sand-hills, I decided to re Left a note telling ot a fine round of angles fro and through ranges which are no doubt the Barrow Ranges of Mr Gosse The flats are very grassy, but the hills are covered with spinifex My brother marked a tree at this carees 4 ood observation on account of clouds The Ficus Platypoda was also found here, loaded with ripe fruit

GILES'S CAMP

16th (Sunday)

Steering about East-North-East towards the ranges, we passed over very miserable spinifex plains and red sand-hills the whole way, about thirty rassy wide flat, splendidly grassed, although old; and on the flat were innu caully and flat for about a um-tree marked E GILES OCT 7, 73 My forhbourhood were now confirmed Soon after we came on a cart-track, which rather astonished us, and soon found that it ed to Mr Gosse, who also caully, which we followed, knowing it was the daily track of the horses to the water, and soon after found their old caully a quarter of a ardens e bush hut to shelter the party fro round the hut and tent, so that they must have had rain I should say Mr Giles must have been camped here for two or three ully fro Mr Gosse and Mr Giles ithin a few miles of each other at the same time, and did not meet

17th

Went for a walk to exa east and west This convinced ed to Mr Gosse, who I knew had returned Went to the top of a high hill to take angles, while Windich tried to shoot a kangaroo After a hard cliles when I heard three shots, and shortly after Windich cooeying Looking round, I saw a native running along about 300 yards fro that Windich had been attacked by the natives I descended towards him as quickly as possible, but could not see hi to be attacked, but could not find Windich Sat down a short time and finallythem, saddled one and started back to look for Windich Found hi shot three, but had not seen any natives; he had been waiting for et my coat and a coain ascended the hill and got a fine round of angles The rock is very netic, and the compass is quite useless Could see the dust fro across the spinifex sand-hills, and, descending, met them just before sundown

ANOTHER ENCOUNTER WITH NATIVES

They reported having had an encounter with the natives on the 16th, and having been followed by a nu way Finally they had been colad to hear of the spring found, and, continuing on, reached it about half-past 6 o'clock The spring is Fort Mueller of Mr Giles, where he was ca while, and his most westerly permanent water By observation Fort Mueller is in latitude 26 degrees 11 itude by lunar observation 128 degrees East, the variation being about 1 degree 25Marked a tree sixty yards south of ca 74th camp from Geraldton Also erected a pile of stones on peak, thirty chains West-South-West of camp, with a pole in centre, on which is marked:

J FORREST, AUGUST 17, '74

Took four sets of lunars, which place spring in longitude 128 degrees East of Greenwich

19th

Steering East-South-East along Mr Gosse's track for about thirty-five miles, over most miserable sandy hills and plains of spinifex, with the exception of a few rassy flat Two rock holes passed were quite dry Caes; hope to find water early to- without it Was obliged to abandon police-horse Brick to-day, as he was coht poverty is the cause of his giving in; and the same in the case of Fao They were poor when they left, and have only had very dry grass ever since It is a wonder to ive in, asas he could, but was forced to give in, and we had to leave hi (Fort Mueller) Barorees 22 minutes 30 seconds South

20th

Got a very early start, and continued on At one ot sufficient water for all our horses Still proceeding onwards, following a gully for two miles, came to Mr Gosse's depot Number 13, at Skirmish Hill A bullock had been killed here, and the flesh jerked Found a large white guone I, however, camped, and took our horses to a place a h for them Went with Pierre to the su but sand-hills and spinifex; to the North-East the Toes showed up and looked very re 76th carees 23 rees 32 minutes East

TOMKINSON RANGES

21st

Left ca my brother to follow to-morrow Found a fine rock hole twoMr Gosse's track for twenty es, covered with spinifex Fine grassy flats along and through the ranges We left the track to exaully to the north, but could not find any water Got on the track just before dark and followed it along a few miles Carass Windich's horse completely knocked up, and we had to walk and drive him before us this afternoon