o round it, and as soon as we had
done so we reached the junction of a creek from the north. The country
about here consists of stony barren hills and ridges, with the exception
of a few spots which have rich soil and excellent grass. There is slate
in abundance, and the country is like that of some goldfields I have
seen. At 3.40 made half a mile north-west up the creek, which has a slaty
bed, where we crossed. A little higher it has reeds and water in it. I
have called it the Stawell Creek. At 3.48 quarter of a mile south-west to
the river; we observed in crossing this point patches of triodia, or more
commonly called spinifex. The country near this part of the river is
wooded with stunted bloodwood. At 4.30 made one mile south-west up the
river. At 4.43 half a mile south-south-west to a point between river and
small basaltic hill with two little cones on the top of it, like the
cairns Mr. Stuart draws of those he made on Central Mount Stuart.
(Direction omitted, probably about south.) At 4.10 one mile and a quarter
to where we made our Number 11 camp, at which place I observed some
first-rate grasses, and for the first time on the Gregory River a few
tufts of kangaroo-grass. The country we have seen today is fine fattening
healthy sheep country; but it will not carry much stock as the grass is
thin. The horse drowned had been an unfortunate brute from the time of
our leaving Brisbane. On board ship he was nearly kicked to death by
other horses, having been trampled down during the wreck.

Thursday November 28. Camp Number 11, situated on the Gregory River.

Mr. Allison and I made from time to time observations of the sun and
stars; but as the sextant, which had been injured at the wreck of a brig,
was out of order, we had no confidence in those observations, and have
not preserved them. From Camp Mount Kay, a hill confining the river
closely on the left bank, about one mile and a half distant (looks about
three miles) bore 119 degrees; another hill about two miles distant bore
28 degrees; and another, two miles, bore 312 degrees; also a hill forming
the south end of the gorge of the river, about one mile distant up the
river 249 degrees. There is marjoram in abundance at the camp; but that
is hardly worthy of remark as it is very common all up the river from the
commencement of the high grounds. We were detained this morning as I had
a shoe to put on one of the horses and other things to do. At 9.20 a.m.
Messrs. Camp