Camp 26.  A good deal of box and apple-tree about here; our chief timber of late has been ironbark and other very useful trees, with gums always about the creeks and swamps.  Saw yesterday on the way a few of that ornamental fruit-tree of Cooper’s Creek, which I have not seen for some time, but it was of small growth; the soil I suppose not being suitable.  Will go on for some distance on same bearing as yesterday, to see if I meet better and more green feed accompanied with water to spell the horses.  Although I am quite satisfied that I am close upon the Burdekin still I may not be close upon any of the stations.  Little dew last night, wind light, and latterly a little inclined to be cloudy; sun rose 58 degrees east of north.  Started at 8.3 a.m.  At three-quarters of a mile crossed a creek from the east-south-east, deep and dry; rather thickly timbered country and not so rich.  Gradual ascent to top of ridge; division of waters about three-quarters of a mile west of the mound or peak I was steering for at four miles.  Abreast of peak at four and three-quarter miles; went to top of it; it was very steep and composed of very rough sandstone, granite, and decaying slaty stones.  Had a pretty extensive view from it; but my view north, of 62 1/2 degrees, was intercepted by rough ranges.  The drainage from this tier of ranges, eastern side, appears in the first instance to go to east-south-east or even south of that; and afterwards when all the watercourses unite in the flat some distance off to go to north and east.  Started from this peak on bearing of 62 1/2 degrees for a break I observed in the distant range; at one mile crossed an oak creek (dry) to east-south-east; at three and a half miles crossed another oak creek (dry) lots of kangaroo about, and no doubt there is water although we did not see it in our course; at four and a quarter miles came to and crossed a swamp and creek with water in one hole that will be sufficient for us and camp.  Maitland so ill he can hardly hang on the horse’s back and the horse Jack knocked up; killed him during the afternoon; although a bag of bones he will make soup for a few days and give Maitland a chance of recruiting, and will be a means of refreshing the horses and camels.  Journey today about nine miles, the latter part very ridgy and rather rough although well-grassed; but indifferent travelling on account of the watercourses down the slopes being rather deep and steep on both sides.  Kirby still keeps about the same thing; he is a mere bag of bones compared to what he used to be.  Palmer has been complaining for some time and gets little better or worse; a violent headache generally seizing him about noon every day.  Hodgkinson is also generally complaining.  Wind afternoon from north.

Tuesday, July 1.