the hill I was on and that there appears to be a good deal of level-looking country, and the hills on this side seem in a great measure to cease a short distance off.  In every other direction it is rugged with high broken hills and an indifferent grass upon them with the exception of the very limited flats near the river, on which latter there is always abundance of good feed and splendid timber.  Wind still from south-east by east but little of it.  The creek that joins this river about two miles up coming from north-west by north I have called Clark’s Creek after Walter Clark, Esquire, of Deep Creek near Melbourne.  The banks of the river are here very steep and difficult of access.

Tuesday, July 8.

Camp 30.  Heavy dew last night; foggy this morning.  Very dense vegetation along the banks and bergues of the river.  The fish seen as yet are but small, the largest are of the catfish kind.  Started at 8.45 a.m., late, the horses, even with the abundance of feed here, having strayed in all directions.  At one and three-quarter miles crossed narrow and deep running creek from south by east.  One of the camels in going up the hill out of it tumbled over backwards, and detained us forty-two minutes.  Then ascended stony hills to avoid the ravines close to the river.  At four and a quarter miles a conical stony-topped hill close by on right, south, and south of that a swamp with poplar, gums, etc., river close on left, country open both sides of river, particularly opposite side to north-north-east; at five and three-quarter miles crossed creek from south-east (good, not broad nor deep but abundance of water) then undulating stony country with low-sized trees (stunted) river bearing northward; at seven and three-quarter miles crossed creek from south-east by east, a little water; at nine miles crossed narrow deep creek, bald-topped range of hills close ahead same side of river, running from north to south.  The river here sweeps round the north end of them, making a considerable detour to north of east; we ascended the easiest of the ridges easterly to avoid the steep gullies, and saw the river taking a sweep south; I think it receives the Perry at its south bend.  At twelve and a half miles on an easterly bearing changed course to south by west, or even west of that, over ridgy but good travelling and latterly flat country, well grassed, for two and three-quarter miles and camped, one of the camels refusing to travel, lying down occasionally.  Distance travelled about fifteen and a quarter miles.  I wish our animals were now in the same condition they were at Hayward’s Creek and I would soon be at Port Denison.  I am surprised that the squatting stations are not further advanced up this river.  Our invalids are slowly recruiting.  Has been a beautiful day.

Wednesday, July 9.