of Southesk, born March 23rd, 1871, left an outpost
of civilization called Doyle's Well, some fifty miles south of Lake
Darlot, intending to cross Warburton's Desert on a north-easterly course,
about two hundred miles to the east of the route pursued by surveyor
Wells. The objects of this purely private expedition were (1) extension
of geographical knowledge; (2) the desire to ascertain if any practicable
stock-route existed between Kimberley and Coolgardie; (3) the discovery
of patches of auriferous country within the confines of the desert. In
the two last objects Carnegie was doomed to disappointment, but as a
geographical contribution to our scanty knowledge of north-west
Australia, the outcome of his repeated journey was distinctly valuable.

Carnegie started with three white men and a native boy, and for many days
passed through country that afforded no water for the camels; of which
they had nine. A native was induced to lead them to a singular spring
situated in a cavern twenty-five feet underground. Though the water was
not easy of access, having to be hauled up by bucket to the surface,
there was an ample supply for the camels, and, as Carnegie considered the
well to be permanent, he named it the Empress Spring.

The discovery of this subterranean spring was indeed a godsend, as when
they eventually reached Forrest's Alexander Spring they found it dry. A
similar experience had befallen W.W. Mills who, after Forrest's
exploration, had attempted to take over a mob of camels in Forrest's
tracks.

Strangely enough a lagoon of fresh water was found at the foot of the
creek in which the spring was situated, and this satisfied their wants.
From this sheet, which was named Woodhouse Lagoon, the party kept a
nearly northerly course across what Carnegie calls in his book "the great
undulating desert of gravel." Over this terrible region of drought and
desolation the party made their painful way by the aid of miserable
native wells, found with the greatest difficulty, and a few chance
patches of parakeelia,* until they were relieved by finding, through the
good offices of an aboriginal guide, a beautiful spring which was named
Helena Spring. They were then seven days out from Woodhouse Lagoon, and
during the last days of the stage they had been travelling across most
distressing parallel sand-ridges.

*[Footnote.] A ground plant which camels eat, and which assuages their
thirst.

From Helena Spring Carnegie struggle