for some distance but none to be found, so returned to the rainwater two miles back from the creek, where fortunately there was sufficient for all the animals.  The flood here, when it does occur, fills the whole valley between the sandhills on either side of the creek, and after such occasions must appear a splendid country; but at present no country could possibly look more desolate.  This cannot possibly be Eyre’s Creek as it is much larger in the first place, and seems to bear away too much to the east ever to be a continuation of Sturt’s Eyre’s Creek.  Traces of Burke’s camels and horses are still to be seen on the creek; I fancy on his return from the Gulf.  I feel very ill this evening, hardly able to sit in the saddle.

Wednesday, February 19.

Sent Mr. Hodgkinson and Middleton off up the creek to search for water, and Middleton to return after travelling about eight miles if successful in finding a supply to enable us to proceed further up the creek; Hodgkinson to go further on and examine the creek and return in the afternoon to where it was arranged we should camp.  Middleton returned about noon with the intelligence that about seven miles up there was abundance of water in the creek for our immediate wants; so we started late in the afternoon as the distance was short and the day fearfully hot, bearing of 350 degrees for four and a half miles, the creek appearing to bear too much east, change course to 360 degrees for two and a quarter miles further, and it getting late changed course straight on for the creek, bearing of 37 1/2 degrees for three-quarters of a mile, where I struck the creek with a little salt water in its bed; down the creek from this about half a mile is the water, and where we afterwards camped but without knowing (in the absence of Middleton, who was seized with a violent illness on the way here and did not get to the camp at all during the night).  I went up the creek for two and a half miles, found it dry, and returned to water and camped.

Thursday, February 20.

Camp on east side of creek where the latter is upwards of 180 yards wide and about 80 feet deep, western banks very inaccessible, the east bank where we have camped less so with immense polygonum bushes.  Very unwell still; we were not aware of the cause of Middleton’s detention with the camels, on which was the food, till he and Davis made their appearance after the morning had somewhat advanced, when they arrived and explained the cause; Middleton was very ill indeed of dysentery and could scarcely crawl.

Friday, February 21.

In camp; I feel a little better, Middleton still very unwell; miserable camp but can’t help it.

Saturday, February 22.

Started Mr. Hodgkinson and Bell out on the west side of the creek to examine ranges that appear stony in the distance, and ascertain if this creek receives any tributary from the westward of north-north-west likely to be Eyre’s Creek, as there is no doubt this is not it, and return by this creek to ascertain how the water lies in it.  I am much better today and Middleton appears to be on the change for the better; wind south with a few clouds.