hind a
perfect cripple. I have dashed the above words because I myself do
not believe it to be a dislocation, but only a strain; but that's
merely my idea; Mr. L. ought to know best. Certain it is that the
poor brute hobbled nearly twenty miles after us on Thursday last,
and I think that is rather a good pull for one with a dislocation
of the shoulder joint.

On Thursday, the 4th instant, our own two waggons came up to
McPherson's, and in the evening Mr. Landells and I went down to the
station to post some letters. On the way, Mr. L. made many remarks
about Mr. Burke and his arrangements that were quite uncalled for.
He told me, amongst other things, that Mr. B. had no right to
interfere about the camels; that he had agreements with the
committee of which he believed Mr. B. was ignorant; that everything
was mismanaged; and, in fact, that if Mr. Burke had his way
everything would go to the devil.

On Friday the other waggons came up, and it was intended that some
of the camels should fetch up what things we required, and that the
remainder should be stored at McPherson's; but the camels were not
to be found until late at night. On Saturday morning Mr. Landells
and the Doctor went down with seventeen camels to the station, a
distance of five miles, and, greatly to Mr. Burke's disgust, did
not return until after dark. In the meantime the nine remaining
camels had travelled off, and could not be found anywhere.

On Sunday morning, McPherson sent a note to Mr. Burke, requesting
him to come down, as all the shearers were drunk on some of the
camels' rum, which they had obtained from the waggons. Mr. Burke
hereupon expressed his determination, which he had previously
mentioned to me, that he would leave the rum behind. Mr. Landells
objected to this, and insisted on the necessity of taking it on,
and told Mr. Burke, who was firm in his resolve, that he would not
be responsible for the camels. Mr. B. said he should do as he
pleased, and left the camp; and as soon as he was gone, Mr. L.
called me to take delivery of the Government things in charge, as
he intended to leave for Melbourne at once. He said that Mr. B. was
mad, and he was frightened to stay in the tent with him. He then
went off, telling me that he should deliver over the camels as soon
as he could find them. It appears that he went down to the station,
and on meeting the waggon-drivers on the road, told them that he
was about to leave, so that every one in the c