l
covered with fattening grasses. At 12.30 made half a mile east-north-east
over a plain to where we observed smoke half a point northerly of the
course we had just come. Kept towards it, thinking water might be found
near it. At 1.32 made two miles and a half east-north-east, chiefly over
ridges of a character like those I have previously described, to a
watercourse which I have named Burrows Creek; its course is easterly. At
1.52 made three-quarters of a mile east-north-east to a tree from which
Jemmy got some honey. Started again at 2.30. At 4.50 made three miles and
a half east-north-east to a small creek from the north. At 5 made three
miles and a quarter east-north-east to another creek from the north. At
6.23 made three miles to a little creek from the south. At 7.20 made two
miles and three-quarters easterly down the creek from the south. At 8.15
made two miles north-east. Made down the creek in search of water but had
to camp without succeeding. The latter part of the day's journey has been
along a stony barren ridge, as I have described, which told severely on
the feet of the horses.

Tuesday December 10th.

Not being able to proceed further with our lame and thirsty horses I
deemed it advisable to return campwards at 6.30 a.m. At 7.30 a.m. made
two miles and three-quarters west-south-west to where I told Jemmy to
lead the way over the range and follow down one of the southerly creeks
in search of water. At 8.35 made three miles south-west by west to the
head of the creek. At 9.20 made four miles and three-quarters south-east
down the creek, where we left it, as its course was contrary to the
direction of the camp. At 9.50 made one mile and a quarter
west-south-west to another small creek, which we also resolved to follow
down a short distance in search of water. At 10.12 made one mile south
down the creek. Crossed our old tracks. At 10.27 made half a mile
south-east. Left the creek. At 10.53 made one mile west-south-west. At
11.3 made half a mile south-west to creek, which we also searched. At
11.35 made one mile south-south-east down creek, and then left it; no
appearance of water, which we very much wanted. At 1 p.m. made two miles
south by west. At 2 made two miles and three-quarters west half north
where we gave our horses each two quarts of water from our leathern
bottles, and changed saddles so that Jemmy could ride the packhorse, as
the one that he had been riding was not able to carry him any further