heard no more grumbling, and a good stage was
accomplished. The country for the first two miles was similar to
that of the last two stages. It then suddenly changed into red sandy
stringy-bark ridges, with a dense under-growth of vines, zamias, and
pandanus, which made the walking difficult and painful. Several
creeks were crossed, the largest of which was at ten miles from the
camp, and running W. by N., and the party halted at another six miles
further on, which received the name of Dalhunty Creek. Its course
was west, and it was remarkable for the palms ('Seaforthia Elegans')
growing in its bed. All these creeks were supposed to be tributaries
of the Batavia River. The party had only to unpack the horses twice
during the day, and made a capital stage, but not without paying for
it, for even the Black-boys shewed signs of fatigue. Their legs and
feet, as well as those of most of the party were in a frightful
state, cut in peices by the thorny vines which covered the line of
march. They were now completely out of meat, but it would have been
unwise to halt to kill a beast for three reasons: first, the
weather; next, the fact that they could not pack the meat without
leaving behind something to make place for it, another of their
horses, Combo, having died to-day from the effects of the poison; and
lastly, the urgency of getting forward whilst the weather would admit
of it. The morning had been rainy, but in the afternoon it cleared
up and gave promised of a few fair days, of which it was expedient to
take advantage. In addition to the horse that died (Combo), two more
of their best horses (Rocket and Creamy) were fast sinking. It was a
fearful thing to see them dwindling away day by day, without power to
help or time to halt for them; but to press forward was a paramount
necessity. Distance 16 miles North. (Camp LXX. Applegum.)

'January' 17.--The country traversed to-day was similar to that of
yesterday, save that the ridges were higher and more stony. Creeks
were crossed at two and ten miles, running strongly westward, which
appeared to be permanent. Five miles further on, the party camped on
a smaller one of the same character, having vine scrub and seaforthia
palms on its banks, which was named Skardon's Creek. The horse
Creamy died during the day, and Rocket through the night. These
losses reduced their horses from forty-two, with which they started,
to fifteen of the culls. They were in latitu