the Settlement.
Four pack-saddles, two police saddles, and the two belonging to the
Brothers were therefore abandoned, with the remainder of the odds and
ends. The prospect before them was not very bright. With no
provision save jerked meat, and with knocked-up horses, they were
starting on a journey of at least 100 miles, when their destination
was not more than 30 miles away from them. they hoped to head the
bend of the river they were on (having reverted to the opinion that
it was the Escape), without knowing how far beyond the lowest point
of their first exploration this turning-point might be, or what
obstructions might be a-head of them. On the other hand, the whole
of the party were without sickness, and they had plenty of cattle to
eat.

'February' 14.--A final start was made this morning from camp 82,
of dreary memory, after a good deal of trouble in packing, choosing
and rejecting what was too heavy or useless, and the other delays
attendant on the breaking up of an established camp. The river was
followed for 11 miles with the usual amount of bogging and
difficulty, in crossing the small trench-like creeks already
mentioned. In one of these they were compelled to abandon another
horse (Tabinga). The poor brute fell in trying to cross, and when
pulled out and set on his legs was too weak to stand. He had to be
left, therefore, saddle and all. Another (Pussy) having died at the
last camp, their number was now reduced to thirteen. Their loads
were reduced to the slightest possible, and consisted merely of the
jerked meat, the ammunition, and swags of the party. Distance 11
miles. (Camp LXXXIII.)

'February' 15.--A gloomy morning with light showers, 10 miles were
accomplished to-day. Three hours were consumed in crossing one of
the boggy gullies. Every horse had to be unpacked, and half of them
had to be pulled across with ropes. The pack of another horse (Lady
Scott) had to be abandoned. She was too weak to carry even the empty
saddle. The camp was pitched in the angle formed by the large creek
running into the river just below the gunyah camp of their first
trip, mentioned January 30th. (Camp LXXXIV.)

'February' 16.--The Eliot was reached to-day 8 miles from the camp.
It had fallen considerably, but was still too high to allow of
crossing without taking off the packs. It was about thirty yards
wide, and running clear, about five feet deep, where the party
crossed. The camp was pitched