e now coming much too close to be pleasant (for some of them were
thrown a hundred yards), the three turned suddenly on their pursuers,
and galloping up to them, poured in a volley, the report of which
brought down their companions from the camp, when the skirmish became
general. The natives at first stood up courageously, but either by
accident or through fear, despair or stupidity, they got huddled in a
heap, in, and at the margin of the water, when ten carbines poured
volley after volley into them from all directions, killing and
wounding with every shot with very little return, nearly all of their
spears having been expended in the pursuit of the horsemen. About
thirty being killed, the Leader thought it prudent to hold his hand,
and let the rest escape. Many more must have been wounded and
probably drowned, for fifty nine rounds were counted as discharged.
On the return of the party to the cattle an incident occurred which
nearly cost one of them his life. One of the routed natives,
probably burning with revengeful and impotent hate, got into the
water under the river bank, and waited for the returning party, and
as they passed threw a spear at Scrutton, before any one was aware of
his proximity. The audacious savage had much better have left it
alone, for he paid for his temerity with his life. Although the
travellers came off providentially without hurt, there were many
narrow escapes, for which some of them might thank their good
fortune. At the commencement of the fight as Alexander Jardine was
levelling his carbine, a spear struck the ground between his feet,
causing him to drop his muzzle, and lodge the bullet in the ground a
few yards in front of him. His next shot told more successfully.
There were other equally close shaves, but providentially not a
scratch. This is one of the few instances in which the savages of
Queensland have been known to stand up in fight with white men, and
on this occasion they shewed no sign of surprise or fear at the
report and effect of fire-arms. But it is probable that they will
long remember the "Battle of the Mitchell." (Camp LXIV.) Course
N.N.W. Distance 7 miles.

'December' 19.--The horses had to be watched last night, for the
grass was so dry and course that the stock would not look at it, but
kept rambling about. The river was followed down about 13 miles.
The whole country travelled to-day and yesterday shewed flood marks
from 5 to 15 feet high. The rush