from south joins close by; at 1.25 crossed creek with water; at 2.12 crossed sandy creek from north-east to south and another close by, then scrub and rather thick forest till 5.50, then camped no water; distance about twenty-six and a half to twenty-seven miles.  One of the horses (Harry) after being ridden into camp appeared to blow a good deal and from little to more till at last he got seriously ill and died at 9 p.m.  He must have been poisoned or bitten by a snake.

Wednesday, June 4.

Camp 10, or Harry’s Camp, after our dead horse.  Wind southerly.  Started at 7.18 a.m., still on bearing of 95 1/2 degrees; crossed sandy creek (dry) from north-east to east-south-east; at 9.52 crossed same creek still dry running to north of east; at 9.15 recrossed same; at 9.20 recrossed; at 9.25 recrossed the creek not far off on the right; country rather scrubby.  Sent Hodgkinson to follow the creek round to ascertain if water existed in it and if so to stop or overtake us.  Went on till about 10.30 when Hodgkinson overtook us having found sufficient water for our use.  Returned at once to it about a mile back and camped.  The old female camel done up; will leave her saddle as it is much knocked about and divide her load between the others and the horses; she may follow which I think she will; distance on course to camp about eight and a half miles.  The patients improving, Kirby remains very weak and spiritless.  This morning wind cool from southward; during the day changed round to east-south-east and in the evening to west-south-west and rather cloudy.  This is a wretched little creek, for some miles sandy, now in its bed are layers of stone and clay; it frequently loses itself on the flat land.  The timber in the forest consists of two kinds of papery-leafed bark trees, box, gum, and a very handsome tree, leafless but bears a flower, besides various shrubs, etc., and spinifex.

Thursday, June 5.

Camp 11.  Mild morning, wind from southward and cool, no dew.  Started at 9.4 on bearing of 95 1/2 degrees.  Creek close on right.  At 9.37 crossed creek.  At 9.48 receives a tributary from east-south-east (no water).  Very scrubby for a few miles and then more open forest.  At 12.38 came to a large and broad creek or mass of creeks or river.  Water not abundant on account of its being sandy in its bed.  As the camels have had to be tied up for the last two nights, the country being so densely timbered, I stay here and camp.  Followed the river down about three-quarters of a mile west-north-west, which appears to be its course.  Here it is upwards of 300 yards broad, banks no great height.  Distance on course ten and three-quarter miles.  Wind about 11 a.m. changed round to east and north of east and warm; as we got to camp it blew gently from west-north-west.  Patients except Kirby mending gradually.  I should imagine the river to be the Flinders but if so it must turn after it passes this very much to the west to enter the sea near where it is laid down on the charts.  Its bed pretty well the whole way across is wooded with the paper-like barked, narrow-leafed tree, and a few other shrubs.  It appears as if there was not at all a heavy flood down it this season as few or none of the trees are washed down.