k, following
it down to the eastward, where there must be permanent water that has
supplied them during the past year. A thunder-shower must have brought
them out to visit the spot where they were first left. I should have
liked very much to have regained them, but the dry state of the country
and the want of water will not allow me to look for them. Found that the
things buried had been disturbed, and most of them carried away by the
natives--the others all destroyed--the sugar all gone, except about five
pounds, which was left in the hole and covered up. Proceeded, crossing
side branches of the Neale, but not a drop of water in any of
them--everything dried up. Went on towards the gap in Hanson range. At
about eight miles before reaching it, Frew's horse (Holland) knocked up
with him; he could not get him on a step further, and had to leave him.
On reaching the Lindsay, this horse had been allowed by Frew to drink too
much water, and had not recovered from the effects of it. At dark arrived
at the gap, and found plenty of water, for which I am very thankful, for
there are many of the horses that would not have stood another day's
journey without it. Day exceedingly hot. Wind, south-east.

Saturday, 22nd November, Gap in Hanson Range. Resting horses, etc. Sent
Frew in search of his horse shortly after sunrise. About half-past two he
returned, and reports that he cannot be found; that he had searched round
about the creeks and gullies where he had been left, but could find
nothing of him, and the country was too stony to track him. Day again
very hot.

Sunday, 23rd November, Gap in Hanson Range. Started at six o'clock a.m.,
intending to get to Freeling Springs, but one of the horses that had
eaten poison about the Roper country, and has never recovered from it,
but was always very poor, and of no use whatever, knocked up, and would
not move a step further; being only six miles from where we started, we
left him and proceeded on our journey. About this time the wind changed
to the north, and it came on to blow a fierce hot wind, and by the middle
of the day it was almost unbearable. Two more of the horses knocked up,
and being nearly opposite the McEllister Springs, I turned to them and
camped. These springs required to be dug out before we could get water
enough for all the horses. After opening two of them, we found them to
yield a sufficient supply. Still continuing to blow a terrific hot wind
from the north. A littl