which cast a deep
shadow. Started again at 1 p.m. At 2.10 made three miles and two-thirds
west-south-west across the plain, without finding the track of Campbell
and party; at 4.30 made six miles and three-quarters north-west over
unbroken rich plains, timbered slightly with bushes; at 6.16 made four
miles and a half north-east to where some of our party on a previous day
went in search of water; at 6.45 made one mile and a quarter east a short
distance back from right bank of creek; at 7.15 made one mile and
three-quarters north-east by north to where he went down right bank of
creek to search for water; at 7.22 made quarter of a mile
north-north-east searching down the creek in vain for water; at 8.5 made
two miles along yesterday's outward track to waterhole in Darvall Creek,
where the horses were watered yesterday, near which on the left bank of
the creek we found Messrs. Campbell and Allison had encamped.

Thursday December 19. Camp Number 20. Situated on Darvall Creek.

Accompanied by Mr. Allison I went out on the plain to a point about
three-quarters of a mile south-west by south from camp, where Mr. Allison
made the noon altitude of sun 85 degrees 57 minutes, which gave the
latitude 19 degrees 37 minutes, which was nearly the same as my dead
reckoning. Mr. Campbell and Fisherman returned to camp, having been out
in search of water. He brought back a turkey which he had shot, and the
good news that he had found water up the creek. At 6.30 p.m. we left
Number 20 Camp; at 7.45 made three miles west-south-west up the creek to
the waterhole which Mr. Campbell had found, near which on the right bank
we formed our 21st camp. The banks of the creek at this camp descend in
gentle slopes, and consequently have a continuation of rich soil from the
plains; and as the grass was not too old it proved one of the best camps
for horses we have hitherto had.

Friday December 20. Camp 21. Situated on the Darvall Creek.

The troopers and I left this camp at 10.4 to go in search of water; at
10.45 made two miles west-south-west to the junction of a watercourse
from south-west which I have named Turner Creek; at 11.14 made one mile
and a quarter up Darvall Creek; at 11.37 made one mile west by north
further up the creek. All the country we have seen since we started
resembles the rich country about the camp. At 12.4 made one mile west by
south to where there are trees, which I have named Western Wood; at 12.27
made one mile south