eavy sand hills that we have to go over in the first day's
journey. In the afternoon the sky again became overcast with heavy
clouds, and there was a great deal of thunder and lightning to the west
and north, and again, at the same time as last night, we were favoured
with a few drops of rain; the result the same as it was then. Wind
variable and squally.

Thursday, 20th November, The Hamilton. This morning the clouds have
cleared away, but there is a nice cool strong breeze from the south-east
and east--a fine thing for the horses crossing the heavy sand hills.
Started at six o'clock a.m. Got over them very well, and reached the
mulga plain. About twelve the wind ceased, and it became very hot. In the
afternoon one of the horses (Trussell) began to show symptoms of being
very ill. One of the party was riding him at the time. I had him changed
immediately and allowed him to run loose, but he seemed to have lost all
spirit and soon dropped behind. I then had him led and driven for upwards
of two miles until I reached the Frew or Upper Neale. The dreadfully dry
state of the country since leaving the sand hills--it being completely
parched up--leaving me no hope of getting water until I reached the gap
in Hanson range or the Freeling Springs, and it being quite impossible
for us to drag him on there, I was compelled to abandon him, as it would
only knock up the other horses to drive him on. Proceeded through a still
parched-up country to the large dry lagoon, and at dark camped without
water. Wind, south-east.

Friday, 21st November, Large Dry Lagoon. Started at break of day through
some low sand hills, with valleys and clay-pans, all dry. At a little
more than six miles after starting, I was rather surprised to find recent
tracks of horses that had been feeding on and about our tracks. Thinking
it might be a party out looking for us, as I have now been some time
longer than I anticipated at starting, I sent Thring to examine and see
how many horses there were. In about half an hour he returned, and said
that he could only make out two, and those I immediately concluded were
two of the horses that had given in near this place on my journey to the
north. Proceeded on to the camp where I had buried the two hundred pounds
of sugar, frequently meeting their tracks, apparently in search of water.
Arrived at the camp, but there is not a drop there, and no appearance of
the two horses, but only their tracks in the bed of the cree