April 28, Monday.  Camp 58.

The greater part of the forenoon was spent in collecting the horses.  We left Camp 57 at 12.35 p.m.  When we had proceeded up the western bank of the creek (the side on which we had encamped) for about three-quarters of a mile we crossed it and left it as it became evident that its sources were in the hills to the right of the course we wanted to pursue.  After proceeding about six and a quarter miles from the creek in an easterly course over low undulating ridges we saw two emus, which remained in our vicinity for some time but not sufficiently near to induce any of us to try and shoot them.  Half a mile from this brought us in a south-east direction to a well-watered creek which we followed up for some distance, but as it took us in a south-west direction we returned and followed it down.  This took us in a north-east direction.  When we had come down the creek about three miles, reckoning from the place we first struck it, we encamped.  The ground near here is flat and intersected by watercourses, so much so that it is like a kind of country that is often found in flat country near a river.  The land we saw today is rich and well-grassed, seemingly as good sheep country as any I have seen.  We came here in the following courses from last camp:  12.53 south for three-quarters of a mile; 3 east six and a half miles; 3.10 south-east half a mile; 4.50 north-east one and a half miles down the creek; 5.15 north-east and by east one mile; 5.20 north-north-east half a mile.  Total ten and a half miles.  Near last camp I made today the meridian altitude of the sun 101 degrees 46 minutes; the latitude 24 degrees 44 minutes.

April 29.  Camp 59.

We left Camp 58 at 10 this morning.  When we had come a few miles the grey mare on which I rode suddenly became unwell and, lying down, in a few minutes died.  She was in good condition and one of the best of the expedition horses, which, I may mention, have proved themselves well fitted for the service.  When we had come easterly about nine and a quarter miles we reached the best watered and the largest-looking watercourse we have seen for some time.  When the mare died I made the meridian altitude of the sun A.H. 101 degrees 18 minutes; the latitude is by that observation 24 degrees 44 minutes.  This nearly agrees with the latitude I got by the observations I made on Sunday and Monday at the 57th camp, so I suppose the observations must be very nearly correct, although I thought the first two observations when I made them were not good ones.  After reaching this watercourse we followed it up for five and a half miles.  In coming to it we passed through several narrow belts of land, thickly wooded with western-wood acacia.  The country we saw between these belts was like the fine country I described in yesterday’s journal, the additional charm of having trees of another variety of myall.  The drooping acacia grows on it.  I love these trees; their foliage is so beautiful, and the wood when cut