o ascertain all
particulars about the nardoo. I have now my turn at the meat
jerking, and must devise some means for trapping the birds and
rats, which is a pleasant prospect after our dashing trip to
Carpentaria, having to hang about Cooper's Creek, living like the
blacks.

Sunday, 12th May, 1861.--Mr. Burke and King returned this morning,
having been unsuccessful in their search for the blacks, who it
seems have moved over to the other branch of the creek.

Decided on moving out on the main creek tomorrow, and then trying
to find the natives of the creek.

Monday, 13th May, 1861.--Shifted some of the things, and brought
them back again, Mr. Burke thinking it better for one to remain
here with them for a few days, so as to eat the remains of the
fresh meat, whilst the others went in search of the blacks and
nardoo.

Tuesday, 14th May, 1861.--Mr. Burke and King gone up the creek to
look for blacks with four days' provisions. Self employed in
preparing for a final start on their return.

This evening Mr. Burke and King returned, having been some
considerable distance up the creek and found no blacks. It is now
settled that we plant the things, and all start together the day
after to-morrow.

The weather continues very fine; the nights calm, clear and cold,
and the days clear, with a breeze generally from south, but to-day
from east, for a change; this makes the first part of the day
rather cold. When clouds appear they invariably move from west to
east.

Wednesday, 15th, 1861.--Planting the things and preparing to leave
the creek for Mount Hopeless.

Thursday, 16th, 1861.--Having completed our planting, etc., started
up the creek for the second blacks' camp, a distance of about eight
miles: finding our loads rather too heavy we made a small plant
here of such articles as could best be spared.--[Here follow a few
meteorological notes.]

Nardoo, Friday, 17th May, 1861.--Started this morning on a blacks'
path, leaving the creek on our left, our intention being to keep a
south-easterly direction until we should cut some likely looking
creek, and then to follow it down. On approaching the foot of the
first sandhill, King caught sight in the flat of some nardoo seeds,
and we soon found that the flat was covered with them. This
discovery caused somewhat of a revolution in our feelings, for we
considered that with the knowledge of this plant we were in a
position to support ourselves, even if we were destined to r