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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What With The Mosquitoes And Sand-Flies, Men,
Horses, And Cattle Were Kept In A Continual Fever.
The horses would
not leave the smoke of the fires, the cattle would not remain on the
camp, and the men could get no rest at night for the mosquitoes,
whilst during the day the flies were in myriads, and a small species
of gad-fly, particularly savage and troublesome.
Another source of
annoyance was from the flocks of crows and kites, the latter ('Milvus
Affinis') are described by Leichhardt as being extraordinarily
audacious, during his journey through this part of the country, and
they certainly manifested their reputation now. Not content with the
offal about the camp, they would actually, unless sharply watched,
take the meat that was cooking on the fire. The black-boys killed a
great many with "paddimelon" sticks, and reed spears, (the spoils of
war) but with little effect. "When one was killed, twenty came to
the funeral." Old Eulah was a great proficient in this exercise, and
when in action with his countrymen, was always anxious to throw their
own spears back at them.
'November' 26. - One of the party went to sleep during his watch last
night, by which fifteen head of cattle were allowed to stray away
from the camp. It was not the first time that this very grave fault
had occurred, the mischief caused by which, can sometimes, hardly be
estimated. In this case, however, it verified the proverb, it is an
ill wind, etc., for whilst looking for the stragglers Frank Jardine
luckily "happened" on the missing horses "Cerebus" and "Creamy" about
7 miles down the river.
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