arks as if a struggle had taken place. On a further
examination of the blacks' camp where the pint pot was found, there
was also found a tin canteen similar to what is used for keeping
naphtha in, or some such stuff, both of which we keep. The natives
say that any memos the whites had are back on the last camp we were
at on the lake with the natives, as well as the iron-work of
saddles, etc., which on our return we mean to endeavour to recover,
if the blacks can be found. It may be rash, but there is necessity
for it. Intend before returning to have a further search.

. . .

The next day they dug up a quantity of baked horsehair, which
had apparently been used for saddle stuffing. The hostility
displayed by the blacks compelled Mr. McKinlay and his party to
fire upon them. The mystery attached to the remains here spoken of
has yet to be cleared up. The idea at first entertained that they
were those of Gray is not tenable. A glance at the map will show
that Gray died and was buried far away to the north-east of
McKinlay's track.

On the day of King's arrival in Melbourne, my son's watch, a gold
chronometer, which he had used to calculate the longitudes by, was
duly delivered to me in presence of the Governor; also his last
letter, distinctly traced in a firm hand on a ruled page torn from
some book. It was not sealed, but neatly wrapped in a loose cover.
The relic is invaluable.

MR. WILLS'S LAST LETTER TO HIS FATHER. BROUGHT DOWN BY KING.

Cooper's Creek, 27 June, 1861.

MY DEAR FATHER,

These are probably the last lines you will ever get from me. We are
on the point of starvation, not so much from absolute want of food,
but from the want of nutriment in what we can get.

Our position, although more provoking, is probably not near so
disagreeable as that of poor Harry* and his companions.

[* Footnote: Harry, his cousin, Lieutenant Le Vescompte, who perished
with Sir John Franklin.]

We have had very good luck, and made a most successful trip
to Carpentaria, and back to where we had every right to consider
ourselves safe, having left a depot here consisting of four
men, twelve horses, and six camels. They had provisions enough
to have lasted them twelve months with proper economy, and we
had also every right to expect that we should have been immediately
followed up from Menindie by another party with additional
provisions and every necessary for forming a permanent depot
at Cooper's Creek. The party we l