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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They Reached The Main Camp At 9 O'clock At
Night, Having In Eight Hours Marked A Line Through The Best Of The
Sandy Tea-Tree Ridges, Between 18 And 20 Miles In Length; No
Despicable Work For Three Tomahawks.
Mr. Jardine communicated the
result of his trip to Mr. Richardson, but that gentleman could or
would not acquiesce
In the opinion arrived at by the brothers,
despite the very conclusive arguments with which it was supported.
This opposition occasioned a feeling of want of confidence, which
caused them to cease consulting Mr. Richardson on their course,
leaving him merely to carry out the duty of his appointment.
'October' 28. - The following day was spent in camp, preparatory to
a fresh start ahead of the cattle, which, it was decided should leave
this camp on the 31st. Some of them could scarcely move, but their
number were found correct on counting.
'October' 29. - Again taking old Eulah with them, the brothers
started on another quest for the Lynd, which, like the mirage of the
desert, seemed to recede from them as they approached; setting out
late in the day, they camped at night once more on the lagoon, at the
end of their marked-tree line, a distance of about 18 miles. They
took with them four days' rations of flour, tea, and sugar, trusting
to their guns and fishing lines for their supply of meat.
'October' 30. - Starting at half-past 6 in the morning the little
party steered N. by W. about 36 miles. At about three-quarters
of-a-mile from the river they passed a fine lagoon, and at four miles
further on a rocky creek running west with some water in it. Their
way lay over soft, barren, sandy ridges, timbered with tea-tree.
Eight miles more brought them to a creek where water could be
obtained by digging, and at 24 miles further they camped on a large
well-watered creek, running N.W.; the whole of the distance was over
the same soft, barren, monotonous country. On their way they killed
an iguana ('Monitor Gouldii'), which made them a good supper, and
breakfast next morning. The cattle party at No. 13 Camp were left
with instructions to follow slowly along the marked-tree line, to
camp at the lagoon, and there await the return of the advance party.
'October' 31. - An early start was made this morning at a quarter
after 6, and 20 or 22 miles were accomplished on the same bearing as
that of yesterday, N. by W., over the same heavy barren stringy-bark
country. Three small creeks were crossed, but not a hill or rise was
to be seen, or any indication of a river to the northward. At this
point the heavy travelling beginning to tell on their jaded horses,
the Leader determined on abandoning the idea of bringing the cattle
by the line they had traversed, and turning south and by west made
for the river they had left in the morning, intending to ascertain if
it would be the better route for the cattle, and if not, to let them
travel down the supposed Lynd (which now received the name of
Byerley Creek), on which they were to rendezvous.
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