Saturday, November 9.

At daylight have a splendid view of the country round but not the slightest appearance of water anywhere; start at 4 a.m. and I scarcely think from the look of the horse that he will be able to take me in.  I never in so short a time saw an animal fall away so much.  At 7 a.m. struck the tracks of our horses and camels as we returned from Cadhibaerri and followed them to camp.  They led a little more to the south than my course, as I now find that would take me out on the lake camp about two miles north of camp.  At about 8.10 a.m. got to camp, the horse very seedy and myself not feeling very well.  Some natives visited the camp during my absence and I now see some on the opposite side of lake.  I sent for one to endeavour to get some information from him.  They had started off for our old camp before the messenger arrived but he followed and one of them came back and stopped the night.  I mean to take him out east if he stops.  I am getting very unwell from dysentery.  Wind strong from the north and very disagreeable.

Sunday, November 10.

Very unwell today; fortunately we have plenty of medicine.  Wind moderate from north-east to east and south-east.  The native visitor, under pretence of going to bring a net from the opposite side of the lake, took French leave.  I dare say when well I shall be able to get another.

Monday, November 11.

Worse rather than better today.  To add to my misfortunes I have got my right knee and back tendons become very stiff and painful, so much so that I can hardly move.  Very cloudy; wind changeable from north-east to south-east.

Tuesday, November 12.

Wind strong from east and south-east.  Little better today but leg equally sore and stiff.  Getting the cartwheels wedged and put to rights.  From the awful torment of the flies, the horses, although on magnificent feed, are not in anything like the same condition as they were ten days ago; to endeavour to escape them they go into the lake, and remain there for hours at a stretch, lying down in the water and occasionally ducking their heads under but to no purpose.  Killed a sheep as the part of the last one that was not jerked got putrid during next day and had to be thrown away.  Am sorry also that the sausages, after dragging them so far, after all have to be thrown away, being perfectly unfit for use; had they been good they would have been a splendid thing.  We find the bacon an excellent standby.  Threatens much for rain.

Wednesday, November 13.

Rain blown off.  Much better today.  Wind very strong from east and particularly cold, so much so that I can keep my coat on and not feel inconvenienced by it; whereas before one’s shirt was sufficient.  Wind chopped round in the evening to south, pretty strong.

Thursday, November 14.

Getting quite well again but knee quite stiff and painful.  Very cold during the night and at daylight quite ready for a topcoat.  Wind strong from east; moderated at noon and got warm.  It is quite a pleasure to see how well the bullocks are freshening; some indeed fit to kill; they don’t seem to suffer so much from the flies as the horses or camels.  Two of the latter (the Melbourne ones) had their backs slightly bruised and, although constantly attended to, take a very long time to recover.