districts, Queensland.  Started on bearing of 335 1/2 degrees over good open country.  At two and three-quarter miles came to and crossed a creek coming up from south-south-west; in that direction there are falls and sheets of rock quite across it and forming above and below them splendid reaches of deep water with numberless ducks, etc., and black macaws and gillates in thousands.  Plenty of water in our course beyond the creek for half to three-quarters of a mile; then over plains intersected with thin belts of small trees, the river not far off on our right.  At seven and a quarter miles changed course to 334 degrees, keeping a little farther from the river.  At fifteen and three-quarter miles got to camp, found all right.  Natives burning grass close upon our right on the way here to windward at a furious rate.  What their particular object can be in burning so much of the country I cannot understand.  No natives as yet have voluntarily shown themselves.  I met the same lubra and child again near the same place that I before met her, but she did not this time attempt to fire the grass round me.  A short way on further I met, or rather overtook, another lubra with two children; she tried at first to conceal herself but when she saw that she was observed she immediately set to work to burn the grass round us in all directions.  However I got off the horse and walked towards her, holding out a fish-hook to her; she did not hesitate much but came forward and took it and I went on my way.  Saw no natives since but look where you may, except north, and you will see fires raging.  About two miles from this and on our left as we came along is a fine lagoon in the midst of timber.  The tide it appears rises here now from six to ten feet.  Not many fish caught.

Sunday, May 18.

Camp 59.  Wind easterly; heavy bank of dark clouds to the west and the sun rose not so bright as usual.  Over open plains, bad travelling; on bearing of 340 degrees at four and a quarter miles struck an immense lagoon (semicircular) and kept it on our right for nearly three-quarters of a mile, then still bore 340 degrees for one-seventh of a mile further; then changed course to 17 degrees; at half a mile struck and went through a swampy lagoon going east; at three and a quarter miles river close by on the right; at four and three-quarter miles came to large lagoons in our course; went a little to the left and passed between two, appears to be a very heavy one to the left close by.  Still on bearing of 17 degrees; at one and a quarter miles further large lagoon close on right; a couple of hundred yards further on on the right is a fine creek with abundance of water and game; at eight miles crossed it still on bearing of 17 degrees; at two miles further on struck a fine large mangrove creek, a very pretty spot like an orange grove.  Bearing of 321 1/2 degrees for two miles; then bearing of 35 degrees, crossed the sea running in through mangrove creeks into the flats like a sluice, and camped at