ed that the horses and
cattle could be made to face it, the poor brutes having been so
frightened with bogs and water, that the horses had to be led over
the smallest of them. The rain still continued to pour heavily at
intervals during the day. (Camp LXXIX.) No trees to mark. The
course was N. by W.

'January' 26.--After two miles of travelling, the party again
struck the supposed Escape River. The stream was flooded, and at
this point fifty yards wide, and the bed clear of fallen timber. A
bloodwood tree was marked on both sides, on the S. bank. The country
on either side is of a red and white sandy soil, timbered with
bloodwood, mahogany, melaleuca and black and white tea-tree, coarsely
grassed, with heath and scrub running down to the banks in many
places. The river was followed down for 7 or 8 miles, its general
course being N.W., the party having to cut roads for the cattle
through the thick scrubs which lined the tributary creeks and
gullies, in four instances. At this distance a large branch nearly
equal in size, joins it from the south-east, to which the name of the
"McHenry"* was given. It being flooded and deep, the party traced it
upwards for about a mile from its junction and encamped. The tents
being pitched and everything made secure for the night, the Brothers
explored up the stream in search of a good crossing place for the
morrow. After several trials were made, a spot was finally decided
upon, about three-quarters-of-a-mile from the camp, and they returned
with the pleasing prospect of having to swim the cattle and horses
over next day, and carry the packs on their heads. Black and white
cockatoos, some parrots, scrub turkeys ('Talegalla Lathami'), and
white pigeons (Torres Straits), were seen on the march, throughout
which the rain still continued to fall, as it did also during the
night. At this camp (80) the last of the sugar was finished, but
this was not thought much of, as from the latitude being ascertained
to be 11 degrees 10 minutes, it was supposed that Somerset could not
be more than 20 or 30 miles distant. How they were undeceived in
their conjecture, and had their hopes disappointed, will be seen.

[footnote] *After Captain J. McHenry, of Arthur Downs, Isaac River.

'January' 27.--Early this morning the party addressed themselves to
the task of crossing the McHenry. This was accomplished in safety,
cattle and horses taking the water like dogs, the greater difficulty
be