arters of a mile south-south-west down
the river; at 12.21 made quarter of a mile south-east down the river; at
12.35 made three-quarters of a mile south-south-east to the junction of
creek from north-east which I have named Chester Creek; at 12.58 made one
mile south-east by east down the river; at 1.6 made quarter of a mile
south-south-west to a very fine waterhole which I have named Mary Lake.
This place seems to be a favourite resort for blacks; the banks are
covered with mussels, and all the firewood burned. We turned the horses
out for some time; it is surrounded with bushes of polygonum; at 4.32
started to return to Number 21 Camp; at 4.50 made one mile north to
Chester Creek; at 6.15 made five miles north across high stony rich plain
country, where we encamped, as there was a patch of young grass for the
horses.

Sunday December 22. Camp.

From camp on left bank of little dry creek we left at 6.20 to return to
Camp 21; at 8 a.m. made six miles north to left bank of Herbert Creek; at
8.20 made one mile and a quarter north up the creek to old camp, where we
delayed to give the horses water from the bottles, and started again at
8.38; at 10 made three miles and a half in different directions to the
Western Wood tree, where we had dinner on Friday last; at 11.20 made
three miles and three-quarters to east side of Manning Plain, where we
lost the tracks and delayed looking for them till 11.40; at 12.20 made
three miles, where we met Fisherman with a horse loaded with water.
Started again at 12.50; at 1.44 made two miles and three-quarters east;
at 2.8 made one mile east; at 3.2 made two miles and three-quarters east
by north to 21 Camp.

Monday December 23. Camp Number 21. Situated on Darvall Creek.

We left this camp at 9.3 a.m. on a south-west course. On that course from
camp we crossed and recrossed the creek. At 10.3 made two miles and
three-quarters south-west over rich well-grassed tableland plains,
slightly timbered with bushes. We observed the small saline herbs which I
have mentioned the horses to be so fond of, also more of the Queensland
saltbush than we have seen previously; at 12.3 made four miles and a
quarter south-west by west to Manning Plain, where we delayed, and
started again at 12.14; at 1.20 made two miles and a quarter south-west
by west where we delayed and started again at 1.35; at 2.20 made two
miles and a quarter south-west by west, where we having halted started
again at 2.48; at 3.10