eft here had special instructions
not to leave until our return, UNLESS FROM ABSOLUTE NECESSITY.
We left the creek with nominally three months' supply, but
they were reckoned at little over the rate of half rations. We
calculated on having to eat some of the camels. By the greatest
good luck, at every turn, we crossed to the gulf, through a good
deal of fine country, almost in a straight line from here. On the
other side the camels suffered considerably from wet; we had to
kill and jerk one soon after starting back. We had now been out a
little more than two months, and found it necessary to reduce the
rations considerably; and this began to tell on all hands, but I
felt it by far less than any of the others. The great scarcity and
shyness of game, and our forced marches, prevented our supplying
the deficiency from external sources to any great extent; but we
never could have held out but for the crows and hawks, and the
portulac. The latter is an excellent vegetable, and I believe
secured our return to this place. We got back here in four months
and four days, and found the party had left the Creek the same day,
and we were not in a fit state to follow them.

I find I must close this, that it may be planted; but I will write
some more, although it has not so good a chance of reaching you as
this. You have great claims on the committee for their neglect. I
leave you in sole charge of what is coming to me. The whole of my
money I desire to leave to my sisters; other matters I pass over
for the present. Adieu, my dear Father. Love to Tom. [Footnote:
Tom, his brother in Melbourne.]

W.J. WILLS.

I think to live about four or five days. My spirits are excellent.

. . .

The remark that I had great claims on the committee was inserted
in the letter, as King informed me, in consequence of Mr. Burke
observing, "Wills, be sure to say something to that effect." The
letter was read to Burke and King by my son, as soon as he had
concluded it. On King's examination, he was questioned as follows,
on this point:

Question 1068. Do you see that letter--[pointing to the letter
written by Mr. Wills to his father]?--That is the letter Mr. Wills
read.

1069. Did he read it out for the purpose of being corrected if
there was any statement in it that was not quite correct?--I
believe the reason was, in case the letter should be found, that he
should not say anything to our disadvantage, mine or Mr. Burke's;
he thought that we wo