Tuesday, October 8.

Started from Pando Lake Camp at twenty minutes to 9 a.m., wind west and cool, on a bearing of 285 degrees, two miles north-north-west, to junction of Pando Creek till 10.37; in all about four and a quarter miles.  Creek is about 250 yards to 300 broad; on the south-west bank of lake there appears to be layers of salty substance.  Tipandranara Lake bears from junction 294 degrees; our camp of this morning 117 degrees; south-eastern portion of lake 106 degrees; apparent course of Pando Creek 340 degrees.  Within two miles the creek contracts to less than 100 yards, and at camp about six feet.  All arrived at 4.10 p.m. on small Lake Uppadae or Camel Lake; total distance fifteen miles.  Travelled over a miserable country, with saltbush of various description, and samphire, and small stones occasionally.  Upper entrance to lake bears 12 degrees from outlet; length about one and a quarter miles by an average of three-quarters of a mile, surrounded by sandhills and very little timber round it, and that little of the most miserable description of box; a considerable quantity of rushes and a little grass round the margin, and lots of waterfowl.  For the latter half of the day’s travel we were pursuing a course from North 20 degrees West to North 10 degrees West, and as much as north at last.

Wednesday, October 9.

Moved round western side of lake for one and a half miles; then bearing 20 degrees, at one and a half miles further struck the creek, now dry; then 1 degree 30 minutes about three-quarters of a mile; on a bearing of 350 degrees, half a mile distant a creek comes in from the east—­evidently the same creek that leaves the main creek about one and a quarter miles from this same course—­forming a circuit as an anabranch, from west to east one mile; then a bearing of 339 degrees for three and a half miles.  Found I had mistaken top of a dry lake for creek; changed course to 145 degrees; three miles.  Creek now alongside; general course 20 degrees; went that course two miles and camped at a long deep waterhole.  Creek dry in a number of places.  I forgot to say that the day we came to Lake Camel, the two natives, Peter and Sambo, absconded, after getting shirts, etc.  Those were the fellows that were to guide us and act as interpreters with the natives concerning the white man reported before, and carrying off with them a new canteen and strap, which we will much want yet.

Thursday, October 10.

Started at 7.25; crossed creek at 9.30, bearing 20 degrees to North; recrossed creek ten minutes past 10; same course; then North 40 degrees East till twenty minutes to one; then crossed at the junction of two creeks, apparently insignificant, and went east one mile to main creek; then northward five miles.  Scoured great part of the country ahead and could find no water; getting late, and the day very heavy for the bullocks; determined to get them to water; retreated in a course South 20 degrees West about four miles, to a small pool of water in the creek that I crossed at midday, and camped.