ne and a half miles and
crossed it at the end of the range on the left bank. We then followed up
a creek I named Jardine's Creek in a north-east and east direction for
five miles and encamped. From camp Fisherman and I went west-north-west
for two miles and a half to the top of a range bearing as described from
the following ranges: a distant conical range (probably the one observed
from near 27 Camp) 3 degrees 48 minutes; the end of Frederick Walker's
Table Mountain 245 degrees; the other end 238 degrees; the place where
Fisherman thought Jardine's Creek joined the river 255 degrees. The
country we saw from our path along the right bank of the river was not,
of course, extensive, but what we saw was flat, covered with long grass,
and wooded with bloodwood and gum. These trees were the largest I have
seen in this part of the country, and almost the only ones I have seen
since leaving the depot at all well-adapted for building purposes. The
country in the valley of Jardine's Creek is most beautiful. It is thickly
grassed and in some parts without trees; in others thinly wooded or
wooded with clumps of trees. The hills on both sides of the valley are
picturesque. Distance today six and a half miles.
March 21.
Fisherman and I left camp this morning and went south-east for fourteen
miles. The first four miles took us over the range to the head of a
creek, the next five miles down the creek, and the next five miles to the
left of the creek. We then went south-west to the creek and selected a
place for the next encampment. Then, returning to depot camp, we followed
up the creek, and it took us in a north half west direction for five
miles to our outward tracks. Then, returning by our track to camp, we
reached it by travelling for an hour after dark. In going and returning
we spent nearly twelve hours on horseback. At camp I was sorry to learn
that Gleeson was still very unwell. The country on the other side of the
range is nearly level; back from the creek it is chiefly overgrown with
triodia and wooded with ironbark. The ironbark-trees are the first I have
seen on this expedition. Near the creek and at some places for a mile
back from it the soil is rich with luxuriant good grass, except at places
where it is thickly wooded with western-wood acacia and Port Curtis
sandalwood where the herbage is not so rank, but the saltbush amongst it
is a good sign of its having the most fattening qualities. The ranges on
the southern s
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