down the river that appears to come right on it it bears off suddenly to the north of east.  No traces of stock or drays seen on the river, and as another of our worst horses has become done up I will kill him here and spell the other horses a day; boil as much of his flesh as we can to take on with us and feast ourselves on the head, feet, and bones for a day, taking his shoes off as usual in case some of the others may require them.  It perfectly astonishes me not meeting any settlers ere this.  Distance today about twenty-two miles.  Splendid weather.  Timber indifferent here and not very abundant.

Wednesday, July 23.

Camp 41.  Wind cold from north by west; neither dew nor frost.

Thursday, July 24.

Camp 41.  Wind from same quarter or a little more west; neither dew or frost but very cold during the night.  Crossed the river here to save a considerable sweep first to south between one and a half to two miles, then to north of east.  Started at 8.20 a.m.  This is now the sixth horse we have been compelled to kill for food, I trust it may be the last; went across the river yesterday and saw the tracks of a few head of cattle and from what I could judge not very old; hope to get to a station during the day.  From our camp here a fine peak on left side of river, between main range and river, bears 48 degrees east of north.  At the bend on right bank of river, below our camp quite two miles distant, the end of a large hill comes on to the river bearing 195 degrees; a very rugged peak east of it on same side bears 183 1/2 degrees.  Only two packhorses and one camel now.  Bearing east 33 1/2 degrees south over stony granite ridges; made the river at a southerly bend at eight miles.  A deep creek joins at this bend.  Then bearing south-east by south for a peak ahead, at two and a half miles crossed large oak creek and several smaller ones before that; at four and a quarter miles at peak changed course to south 2 degrees west; at five miles made river, crossing in our course several creeks from eastward.  Mount McConnell from this bears a little east of south-south-east; instead of altering our course to south 2 degrees west from the peak, a good road avoiding some rugged ranges could be had by keeping right on course of south 23 1/2 degrees east.  The river immediately below this passes in an easterly direction between two ranges that come right on to it.  The peak on the left bank I have called Foster’s Peak after A.W.  Foster, Esquire, of the Murray River, New South Wales.  The bluff on the right bank and a little nearer than the peak I have called the McLeod after James McLeod, Esquire, of the Darling River, New South Wales.  A fine long leading range some distance from right bank of river, running north and south, and apparently table-topped, I have called the Fletcher after G.B.  Fletcher, Esquire, Tapio, Darling River, New South Wales.

Friday, July 25.