which we have given from his diary.
It will be seen that marks of violence were found on the remains,
that there were indications of white men having camped in the
neighbourhood (which was far distant from any camp of Burke's),
that one of the natives bore marks of having been engaged in a
conflict where pistols were used, and that, lastly, the natives
themselves said the bones were those of white men who had been
murdered and eaten. All this would probably appear conclusive to
Mr. McKinlay that he had ascertained the fate of the explorers whom
he had been in search of. He was prepared for such a result, and
there were many circumstances favourable to its probability. He saw
even, as he believed, positive indications of camels having been at
the place where he found the graves; and yet, it will be seen, he
speaks of appearances indicating that the remains were buried a
long time ago, and states that some of the human hair discovered
was in a state of decay. This certainly would not accord with the
supposition of the remains being those of Burke. But it is useless
to seek an explanation of this strange matter from the facts at
present before us. It is a mystery which will have further to be
inquired into, and which Mr. McKinlay himself will perhaps be able
to throw some light upon when he reviews all the particulars of the
discovery, with the knowledge before him that Burke and his
companions were not killed by the natives, but died from
starvation, and were buried at places far distant from the spot
where these new remains were discovered.

. . .

The following extract from McKinlay's diary details the
incidents here spoken of more minutely.

October 21st.--Up in good time. Before starting for the grave went
round the lake, taking Mr. Hodgkinson with me, to see if natives
were really on the lake, as I did not intend saddling the camels
to-day if there were no natives here, intending to leave our camp
unprotected--rather unwise, but being so short of hands could not
help it, the grave being much out of sight. Found no natives round
the lake, nor any very recent traces, saving that some of the trees
were still burning that they (when here last) had lighted. We
started at once for the grave, taking a canteen of water with us
and all the arms. On arrival removed the ground carefully, and
close to the top of the earth found the body of a European
enveloped in a flannel shirt with short sleeves--a piece of the
breast of