nd Government
on the north-east to get up an expedition under some competent
person, but at the charge of Victoria; and Mr. Walker, who had
already acquired note as a leader of a party of native police, was
proposed for the command. Captain Norman with the Victoria steamer
was to start as soon as possible, coasting round to the Gulf,
taking with him a small tender; whilst Walker, or whoever might be
appointed in Queensland, should proceed north, overland. Nothing
further could be done in Melbourne by the committee or Government;
but I have now to narrate a noble act on the part of a private
individual.

James Orkney, Esquire, M.L.A. for West Melbourne, had a small
steamer of sixteen tons, built by himself from a model of the Great
Eastern, which was quite ready for sea; and having also a captain
willing to embark in her, he undertook to send her round to the
Gulf of Carpentaria at his own charge. The adventurous gentleman
who offered his services was no less a personage than Wyse, the
skipper of Lord Dufferin's yacht on his celebrated voyage to the
North Seas, which his lordship has commemorated in his delightful
little book entitled, Letters from High Latitudes. The Sir Charles
Hotham, for so the little craft was called, was intended to precede
Captain Norman, as the Victoria would take at least a fortnight in
equipping. She was expected, from her light draught of water, to
render much aid in exploring the rivers and steaming against
currents. She left on the 6th of July, towed out of Hudson's Bay by
the Sydney steamer. The weather became stormy, and the steamer was
compelled to cut her adrift during the night. Left to herself and
her gallant captain, with a crew of two men only, she made her way
to Sydney. During this time the coast was visited by severe gales,
and much anxiety was felt for the Sir Charles Hotham. The agents of
the Sydney steamer regretted that they had not heard of the
proposed arrangement a few hours earlier, as they would readily
have taken her on deck. But they did all that was in their power.

Mr. Orkney soon received the pleasing intelligence that his little
craft was safe in Sydney Harbour, but requiring some repairs. These
were completed with as much speed as possible, Mr. Orkney bearing
every expense, including that of the telegrams, which was
considerable. Again the miniature steamer proceeded from Sydney,
northward; but after some progress, Wyse, steering her into shallow
water, near sh