e cattle were started
away in the morning, leaving Scrutton and Binney to finish jerking
the meat, there being some sunshine, which was beginning to be a
rarity, for the wet season had now fairly set in. Twelve miles of
wretched country were traversed, white sandy undulating ground,
clothed with shrubs and underwood, in the place of grass, and the
camp pitched on a low stringy-bark ridge, without water, for in this
flat sandy country the ground absorbs the rain as soon as it falls.
The horses had to be watched again to-night, for there was not a
blade of grass to be got. A small quantity of water was found in a
creek about a mile-and-a-half ahead. Late in the evening the horses
and water-bags were taken to it, and sufficient water brought back
for the use of the camp. Two small unimportant creeks were crossed
to-day, sandy and dry, trending west. Distance 12 miles N.W. by N.
(Camp XLIX.)

'December' 24.--The cattle were watched at a small lagoon beyond the
creek before mentioned, which was deep and rocky. The country
continued of the same miserable character as yesterday, till at 7
miles, the party came to a belt of bloodwood and stringy-bark, where,
by good luck, there was a little coarse grass, but as the stock had
had none for two days, they were not particular. (Camp L.) Distance
7 miles. Course N.N.W.

'December' 25.--The rain came down all last night, and continuing
throughout the day (for the first time continually), did not suggest
a merry Christmas. However the Leader wished his companions the
compliments of the season, and pushed on. The country decidedly
improved if the weather did not. The tail end of some scrubs were
passed in the first five miles, cheifly tea-tree and oak, and
half-a-mile further on, a fine creek of sandstone rock, permenantly
watered; at 7 miles another similar, but larger, was named Christmas
Creek. Here whilst Mr. Jardine was halting in wait for the cattle,
he marked a tree XMAS, 1864, in square. In it the swamp mahogany was
seen for the first time since leaving Bowen. Its native name is
Belourgah. The creek was therefore christened by that name. At 15
miles the party reached and camped on a fine, well-watered, rocky
creek, where the blue grass was plentiful, the first that had been
seen for many weeks. The country travelled over was very soft, and
though driven loose, three of the horses could scarcely travel over
it. The packs also were getting into a very dirty