On a gum-tree near the pool some initials were carved, and near them a neatly executed kangaroo.  The second name I recognised as that of Billy Janet, the first to find alluvial gold at Lake Darlot.  He was one of the Kimberley prospectors in the old days of the ’87 rush.  Keeping north from the Janet Creek we crossed stony tablelands timbered with gums, and numerous ravines and small creeks, until, on following down a nicely grassed gorge with a creek running through it, we struck the dry bed of the Mary River on November 25th.  Henceforth our path lay through pleasant places; shady trees, long grass, and frequent pools of water in the shingly beds of the creeks made a welcome change after the awful desolation of the desert.  Indications of white men were now constantly met with—­marked trees, old camps, and horse-tracks.  Striking north from the Mary, over plains of spinifex and grass, passing many queer, fort-like hills, we reached the Margaret River, a noble creek, even when dry as we saw it.  Nice grass plains extend along its banks, and the timber and bush is alive with the sounds of birds, whose bright plumage was indeed good to look upon.  Cockatoos and parrots of the most gorgeous colouring darted here and there amongst the trees, and every now and then a swamp-pheasant would fly shrieking from the branches above.

CHAPTER XIV

DEATH OF STANSMORE

Where the Margaret River forces its way through the Ramsay Range, a fine pool enclosed between two steep rocks has been formed.  This is a permanent pool, and abounds in fish of various kinds.  Above and below it the river was merely a dry expanse of gravel and shingle; a month later it was a roaring torrent, in places twenty feet deep.  Close to the pool we noticed an old dray road, the old road to Mount Dockrell.  I asked Warri where he supposed it led to, and he answered “Coolgardie!” Curious that one impossible to bush in a short distance should be so ludicrously out of his reckoning.  Time now being no object, since the numerous ducks and fish supplied us with food, we camped for two days at the pool, enjoying its luxuries to the full.  Our larder contained a bucketful of cold boiled ducks, a turkey, and numerous catfish and bream—­rather a change from the sand-ridges!  As to bathing, we felt inclined to sit all day in the water.  I think we enjoyed ourselves more at that pool than any of us could remember having done for a long time.  The desert was forgotten, and only looked back upon as a hard task finished.

All were as happy and cheerful as could be, speculating as to what sort of place Hall’s Creek was, and in what way our sudden appearance would affect the inhabitants.  Charlie was sure that they would receive us with open arms and banquet us, the lord mayor and the city band would meet us, and a lot more chaff of the kind.  Only eight miles, I reckoned, lay between us and the telegraph line and the Derby-to-Hall’s-Creek