attempt to overtake them, having only two camels, both
done up, and being so weak themselves as to be unable to walk more
than four or five miles a day. Finding also that the provisions
left at the depot for them would scarcely take them to Menindie,
they started down Cooper's Creek for Adelaide, via Mount Hopeless,
on the morning of 23rd April, 1861, intending to follow as nearly
as possible, the route taken by Gregory. By so doing they hoped to
be able to recruit themselves and the camels whilst sauntering
slowly down the creek, and to have sufficient provisions left to
take them comfortably, or at least without risk, to some station in
South Australia.

Their equipment consists of the following articles:--Flour, 50
pounds; sugar, 60 pounds; rice, 20 pounds; oatmeal, 60 pounds;
jerked meat, 25 pounds; ginger, 2 pounds; salt, 1 pound.--[Then
follow some native words with their meanings.]

From Depot.

Tuesday, 23rd April, 1861.--Having collected together all the odds
and ends that seemed likely to be of use to us, in addition to
provisions left in the plant, we started at 9.15 A.M., keeping down
the southern bank of the creek; we only went about five miles, and
camped at 11.30 on a billibong, where the feed was pretty good. We
find the change of diet already making a great improvement in our
spirits and strength. The weather is delightful, days agreeably
warm, but the nights very chilly. The latter is more noticeable
from our deficiency in clothing, the depot party having taken all
the reserve things back with them to the Darling.--To Camp 1.

From Camp 1.

Wednesday, 24th April, 1861.--As we were about to start this
morning, some blacks came by, from whom we were fortunate enough to
get about twelve pounds of fish for a few pieces of straps and some
matches, etc. This is a great treat for us, as well as a valuable
addition to our rations. We started at 8.15 P.M., on our way down
the creek, the blacks going in the opposite direction, little
thinking that in a few miles they might be able to get lots of
pieces for nothing, better than those they had obtained from us.
--To Camp 2.

From Camp 2.

Thursday, 25th April, 1861.--Awoke at five o'clock after a most
refreshing night's rest--the sky was beautifully clear, and the air
rather chilly--the terrestrial radiation seems to have been
considerable, and a slight dew had fallen. We had scarcely finished
breakfast, when our friends the blacks, from whom we obtain