In 1884 Harry Stockdale, an experienced bushman, started from Cambridge Gulf in order to investigate the country to the southward, and explore the land in its vicinity.

From the Gulf southward, he traversed well-watered and diversified country till he reached Buchanan’s Creek, which must be distinguished from the stream of the same name in the Northern Territory of South Australia.* Having formed a depot there, he hoped to make further explorations, but owing to certain irregularities which had occurred among his followers in his absence on a flying trip, he was compelled to start immediately for his destination on the overland line.  A very singular incident happened during this latter part of his journey.  Two of the men, named Mulcay and Ashton desired, under the plea of sickness, to be left behind, and resisted every attempt to turn them from their purpose.  Stockdale reached the line after suffering great hardship, but the fate of the two abandoned men eluded all subsequent search.

[Footnote.] See Chapter 16.

20.2.  LINDSAY AND THE ELDER EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

[Illustration.  Sir Thomas Elder, G.C.M.G.  Photo:  Duryea, Adelaide.

Illustration.  David Lindsay.]

In 1891 Sir Thomas Elder of South Australia, who had already done much in the cause of exploration, projected another expedition on a large and most ambitious plan.  It was called The Elder Exploring Scientific Expedition, and its main purpose was announced to be the completion of the exploration of Australia.  A map was prepared on which a huge extent of the continent was partitioned off into blocks each bearing a distinctive letter, A, B, C, D, etc., quite irrespective of the fact that all these blocks had been partially explored and that some had even been settled.

The leadership of the party was offered to and accepted by David Lindsay, who had already won for himself a name as a capable explorer in South Australia.  The second in charge was L.A.  Wells.  As the expedition was in the main destitute of any striking results, a short synopsis of the journey will satisfy our requirements.

Shortly after the expedition crossed the border-line between South Australia and West Australia, Mr. Leech, one of the responsible officers, was despatched on a fruitless trip northward to search for traces of the ill-fated Gibson, who had perished with Giles some seventeen years previously.  The expedition then proceeded via Fort Mueller to Mount Squires, where water was obtainable.  Thence a south-west course was taken to Queen Victoria’s Spring.  In latitude 29 degrees, 270 miles south of Mount Squires, the eastern end of a patch of good pastoral country was observed.  On reaching the springs they were found to be dry, and all the intended exploration which was to be effected from this base had to be abandoned, the party having to push on to Fraser’s Range; and this hasty trip through the desert comprised