ke sent me up from there in the steamer,
whilst he took the horses up. On our arrival, we found that Mr.
Landells had ridden up also, having left the camels at Kinchica; he
objected to making them swim the river, and wanted the steamer's
barge to cross them over. This Mr. Burke refused, because the
captain and every one else said that it would be a very dangerous
experiment, from the difficulty of getting them on or off, which is
no easy matter to do safely, even on a punt arranged for the
purpose; and as for the barge, it can scarcely be brought within
six feet of the bank; so Mr. Burke insisted on their swimming the
river at Kinchica. After dinner we went down to assist in crossing
them, but Mr. Landells said it was too late, and that he would
cross them at ten o'clock next morning. On his remarking that there
was no rope here, I mentioned that we had just brought one across
with us, when he wanted to know what business I had to say
anything. Altogether he made a great fool of himself before several
of the men; and a Mr. Wright, the manager of the Kinchica station.
For this Mr. Burke gave him an overhauling, and told him that if
his officers misconducted themselves, he (Mr. B.) was the person to
blow them up. Mr. Burke then told me, before Mr. Landells, that he
wished me to be present at the crossing of the camels, at ten
o'clock to-morrow.

Mr. Landells then jumped up in a rage, asking Mr. Burke whether he
intended that I should superintend him, and what he meant by
desiring me to be present. Mr. Burke answered him that if he knew
his place he would not ask such a question; that he had no right to
ask it, and that he (Mr. B.) should give what orders he thought
proper to his officers without considering himself responsible to
Mr. L.; that Mr. Landells' conduct was insolent and improper, and
that he would have no more of it. This was on Monday.

On Tuesday morning Mr. L. sent in his resignation, and in the
course of the day, Dr. Beckler followed his example, giving as his
reason that he did not like the manner in which Mr. Burke spoke to
Mr. Landells, and that he did not consider that the party was safe
without Mr. Landells to manage the camels. Now there is no mistake,
Dr. Beckler is an honest little fellow, and well-intentioned
enough, but he is nothing of a bushman, although he has had so much
travelling. Landells has taken advantage of his diffidence for his
own purposes; and at the same time that he hates him,