to much inundation, to a creek running into the river with splendid water and feed; at twelve and a half miles came to the river, with an immense sand-spit opposite; appears to be within the influence of the sea and is about 600 yards wide and dry half across.  A number of pelicans up some distance; water either brackish a little or with some other peculiarity about it.  Started for apparently another bend of the river, on bearing of 329 degrees.  One and three-quarter miles saw a lagoon, on the left ahead; and as the horses are tired will bear for it and turn them out.  Course 282 degrees, three-quarters of a mile; abundance of water and feed; lots of geese, ibis, ducks, and spoonbills.  North three-quarters of a mile from this is the river, about 500 yards wide, treeless on the west bank and cliffs about twenty to thirty feet high, all round an immense sweep; sandy beach opposite, within the influence of the sea, a rise and fall of four feet observed—­and at high-water a little brackish.  Caught a few fish; the only thing we had for supper; would have done well had there been sufficient of them.

Tuesday, May 13.

Started on bearing of 330 degrees for a distant point like river timber which turned out to be a small hill or ridge with spinifex; a lagoon on the left at its base; struck it at five miles.  At five and a half miles changed course to 355 degrees; at ten miles first part over firm, small, stony plains, good country; then at four miles crossed a salty timberless creek; and then over a succession of salt swampy flats with grassy plots intervening.  Middleton’s mare Counterfeit knocked up and he had to stay with her.  I and Poole went on on a bearing of 355 degrees still; at two miles came to a mangrove creek; at two and a quarter miles the banks of the Albert River; salt arm, from half to three-quarters of a mile broad.  Returned to Middleton and started back for the Leichhardt River on bearing of 110 degrees to camp, as soon as we could get water and feed, to endeavour to get the mare back to camp or part of the way.  On bearing of 110 degrees for about four miles, first part over salt swamps; passed a long rocky lagoon full of water and half a mile long from north to south, and several other smaller ones between that and the river; mangrove banks in all the flat parts.  Banks on this side treeless; country much burnt up.  Top tide at least five hours earlier than when we camped last night; caught a few fish—­in all about enough for one but had to do for the three of us.  Rise and fall of river somewhere about five feet.

Wednesday, May 14.

Wind south; was very cloudy during the night and this morning; mosquitoes very troublesome during the night.  Bearing homewards 170 to 215 degrees for the first eight or ten miles, leaving Poole and Middleton to get on to our first camp till I bring on the party on the morrow.  Got to camp myself a little after sundown, and to my disgust found all the camels astray and Bell and Davis in search of them.