Thursday, March 27.

20, or Carbine Creek camp—­having left one behind there on a tree, which has lost the hammer and is unfit for service.  Bearing of 29 degrees for nine miles over swampy country with splendid feed, belts of timber on the right or east of course, studded in various places, denoting waterholes; then bearing of 15 degrees for one and a quarter miles where I got bogged in a creek; got out of it again with a good deal of difficulty and found that course quite impracticable; after trying the ground for a couple of miles found it nothing but a bog, so changed course to 54 degrees for half a mile over sound ground, and encamped on a small creek with a perfect meadow of grass all around.  From the top of a tree hills in the distance to north and south of east discernible—­rising ground near, which I will make for in the morning.  I went out this evening and found that it is good travelling and will thus allow me to get more in a northerly direction than of late.  Cannot get within miles as yet of the main creek on account of the boggy nature of the ground—­there appear to be innumerable timbered creeks between this and that, all running into it—­the water here, even on the level plains, is in places running a stream.  One of the camels got bogged on the road today and had to be dug out with much difficulty.

Friday, March 28.

Camp 21.  Beautiful morning, wind from east-south-east.  Started on bearing of 68 degrees for one mile to clear some water; then on bearing of 34 degrees for two and a quarter miles; bearing of 27 degrees for four and a quarter miles; bearing of 20 degrees for three and a half miles to top of a small stony rise, immediately beyond which, half a mile distant, is one mass of creeks occupying a mile in width, coming from south of east from hills in the distance.  These creeks, no doubt, are one both above and below this, although now split into many branches.  I have called it Davenport Creek after George Davenport, Esquire, of Melbourne, a gentleman to whom I am much indebted for his kindness.  Then bearing of 41 degrees at half a mile came to first creek and continued on same course, crossing creeks for one mile; distance about twelve and a half miles.  This creek must drain an immense tract of country eastward.  Northward appears one mass of creeks.  It is certainly a magnificent country if there is permanent water.

Saturday, March 29.

Camp 22.  Beautiful morning, wind light from south-south-east.  On bearing of 355 degrees for seventeen and a half miles, first part over rather swampy ground, chiefly over firm ground; good travelling country and a little stony (sandstone).  On it found a new fruit on a shrub about five feet high, not unlike the bean tree; the fruit tree of Cooper’s Creek also is here and it is a more handsome tree than between this and Cooper’s Creek; the bean tree is also here.  Within the last two miles the ground has been swampy and full of watercourses, with plenty of water caused by the emptying of a large creek from the east, coming past south-west end of a large range east and running north of this position; which creek I have named Brown’s Creek after Charles Brown, Esquire, of Great Bourke Street West, Melbourne, whose upright way of conducting business I very much admire and who, from his straightforward manner, gains the esteem of everyone that has anything to do with him.