Narrative Of The Overland Expedition Of The Messrs. Jardine, From Rockhampton To Cape York, Northern Queensland By Frank Jardine And Alexander Jardine
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The Country Along The Last Course Was Of The Same
Description, Low, Sandy, String-Bark, And Tea-Tree Ridges, Without A
Vestige Of Water; Total Distance 38 Miles.
'November' 1.
- Making another early start, and steering S.W. by S.,
the party reached the creek in four miles, and getting a copious
drink for themselves and their thirsty horses, breakfasted off some
"opossums and rubbish" they got out of a black's camp. The stream
was 100 yards wide, and well-watered, a great relief after their arid
journey of yesterday: large rocks of sandstone occurred inits bed in
different places. Crossing it, they followed down its left bank for
8 miles, its trend being N.W., then turning their back on it, they
steered due south to strike Byerley Creek. Sixteen miles of weary
travelling over wretched barren country brought them to a small sandy
creek, on which they camped, procuring water for their horses by
digging in its bed. Here they made a supper of the lightest, their
rations being exhausted, and "turned in" somewhat disgusted with the
gloomy prospect for the progress of the cattle. They again met with
the nonda of Leichhardt, and ate of its ripe fruit, which is best
when found dry under the trees. Its taste is described as like that
of a boiled mealy potatoe.
'November' 2. - Continuing on the same course, due south for 18
miles, over the same useless country, the party reached Byerley
Creek, striking it at a point 32 miles below the Rendezvous Camp,
then turning up its course they followed it for 16 miles, to their
hunting camp of the 26th October. Here they camped and made what
they deemed a splendid supper off an oppossum, an iguana, and four
cod-fish, the result of their day's sport. Total distance travelled
28 miles.
'November' 3. - Following up the creek for 16 miles, the party
reached the main camp on the lagoons early in the day. Here they
found all right, with the exception that most of the party were
suffering from different stages of sandy-blight, or ophthalmia. A
calf was killed, and the hungry vanguard were solaced with a good
feed of veal. Byerley Creek having been found utterly destitute of
grass, badly watered, and moreover trending ultimately to the S. of
W., the Leader determined to take the cattle on to the next, which
was well watered, having some feed on it, and being on the right
course. There were, however, two long stages without water; but it
was, on the whole, the best and almost only course open to him. The
cattle had made this camp in two stages from the Einasleih. It was,
consequently, No. LI. The latitude was found to be 17 degrees 23
minutes 24 seconds: a tree was marked with these numbers, in
addition to the usual initial and numbers. The Thermometer at
daylight marked 90 degrees, and at noon 103 degrees, in the 'shade!'
'November' 4. - A late start was made to-day, a number of the horses
having strayed, and not having been got in. The Brothers went ahead,
and marked a line for five miles out to the creek mentioned on the
30th October: it contained sufficient water for the horses and
cattle, and was the best watercourse they would get until they
reached the next river, a distance of 30 miles. It received the name
of "Belle Creek," in remembrance of "Belle," one of their best
horses, who died at this camp, apparantly from a snake bite, the
symptoms being the same as in the case of "Dora," but the time
shorter. Belle Creek is rocky and tolerably well watered, and
remarkable for the number of nonda trees on it. Whilst waiting for
the cattle the Brothers caught some fish and a fine lot of maramies.
'November' 5. - This day appears to have been one of disasters. It
opened with the intelligence that sixteen of the horses were missing.
Leaving one party to seek and bring on the stray horses, the Brothers
started the cattle forward: they left instructions at the camp for
the horses to start, if recovered before 3 o'clock; if not, to be
watched all night, and brought on the next day. They then started,
and preceding the cattle, marked a line for 15 miles to "Maroon
Creek." Here they camped without water, waiting with some anxiety
for the arrival of the pack-horses. Hour after hour passed but none
appeared, and as night closed in, the Brothers were forced to the
conclusion that something must have gone wrong at the camp. They
could not however turn back, as they had to mark the next day's stage
for the cattle to water, there being none for them to-night, and only
a little for the party, obtained by digging, however, they were
relieved by the appearance of a blackboy with rations, who reported
that some of the horses had not been found when he left the camp.
The night was spent in watching the thirsty cattle.
'November' 6. - The cattle were started at dawn and driven on to the
watered creek, where they got feed and water at some fine waterholes,
it received the name of "Cockburn Creek;" the Brothers as usual
preceded them and marked a line further ahead. Arrived there, they
spent the rest of the day in fishing whilst uneasily waiting the
arrival of the pack-horses. They luckily caught some fish for
supper, for night fell without the appearance of the remainder of the
party, and they had nothing to eat since the preceding night. The
country has already been described.
'November' 7. - To-day was spent in camp by the party whilst
anxiously awaiting the arrival of the pack-horses, but night fell
without their making their appearance. They had nothing to eat, and
as there was no game to be got, they decided on killing a calf, but
in this they were disappointed, as the little animal eluded them, and
bolted into the scrub.
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