At 9 made one mile and a half south-west by south. At
9.16 made half a mile further along the river in the same direction to
outlet of creek, which is probably what I have been calling Macadam Creek
(or River). At 9.23 made a quarter of a mile still further along the bank
of the river in the same direction, at which place hills were in sight a
short distance from our course. Fisherman and I started for the hills,
bearing 231 1/2 degrees, and in two miles we reached the hill, and from
the top of it we saw ranges from 67 to 328 degrees; but none of them were
remarkable. The hill we ascended was rocky and barren. Having taken
observations of these hills, Fisherman and I started to rejoin our
companions. The country was so parched up that Fisherman said, "Suppose
you leave him river, you won't find other fellow water." At 11.49 we made
one mile and a quarter south; at 12.10 we steered south-south-west for
about three-quarters of a mile, and reached the river, where, at a
blacks' camp, we overtook our companions. There were three gins and six
children, who were trembling with fear in and at the edge of the water.
In a short time they recovered courage, and one of the gins, to whom I
gave a red woollen neck comforter, wanted to get up behind one of my
companions, and although her advances were rejected she followed us until
Jemmy, the trooper, made signs to her to return to camp. We started again
at 12.30, and at 12.42 made half a mile south-west by west. At 12.56, by
following up the river, we made half a mile in a south-west direction. At
1.17 p.m. made three-quarters of a mile south by west along the bank of
the river. At 1.27 quarter of a mile south-west, where on the bank of the
river we had dinner, and had for salad cabbage-tree sprouts. The holes in
the river are here deep and long. Hills confine the river on both sides,
just above where we had dinner. The one on the right bank of the river I
have named Heales Ranges, and the one on the left Mount Macadam. Started
again at 4.53 p.m. At 5.20 followed up the river, one mile in a westerly
direction, over fine ridges of rich soil. At 5.27 quarter of a mile
south-west by west. At 6.25 made two and a half miles west-south-west to
left bank of the river, where we formed our ninth camp--the worst camp
the horses have had as the grass was completely burned up.

Tuesday November 26. Camp Number 9, situated on the Gregory River.

From this camp there are three hills on this side--