July 3rd. Soon after starting, found a little water in a gully and gave our horses a drink.  Ascended a spur of the range and had a good view ahead, and was very pleased with the prospect.  Steering N.E. towards a large range about fifteen miles off, we found a great deal of spinnifex, although the country generally was thickly wooded.  I rode Mission, who went along pretty well for about twelve miles, when Williams gave in again, and Mission soon did the same.  For the next six miles to the range we had awful work, but managed with leading and driving to reach the range; spinnifex all the way and also on the top of it.  I was very nearly knocked up myself, but ascended the range and had a very extensive view.  Far to the N. and E. the horizon was as level and uniform as that of the sea; apparently spinnifex everywhere; no hills or ranges could be seen for a distance of quite thirty miles.

The prospect was very cheerless and disheartening.  Windich went on the only horse not knocked up in order to find water for the horses.  I followed after his tracks, leading the two poor done-up horses.  With difficulty I could get them to walk.  Over, and through the rough range I managed to pull them along and found sufficient water to give them a good drink, and camped on a small patch of rough grass in one of the gorges.  Spinnifex everywhere; it is a most fearful country.  We cannot proceed farther in this direction, and must return and meet the party, which I hope to do to-morrow night.  We can only crawl along having to walk and lead the horses, or at least drag them.  The party have been following us, only getting a little water from gullies, and there is very little to fall back on for over fifty miles.  I will leave what I intend doing until I meet them.  I am nearly knocked up again to-night; my boots have hurt my feet, but I am not yet disheartened.

[Forrest stayed in the Interior for nearly three more months.]

Sept. 26th. Got off early and followed the river (Hamilton) about two miles when it took a bend to the north, and as it was rather boggy near it, we left it, and steered about east and E.N.E. for about twenty miles over most miserable country without any grass.  We camped on a small gully with a little water in it, and some old dry grass in a flat.  The horses were very tired, not having had anything to eat for the last two or three days; and some showed signs of giving in; in fact, all weak and knocked up, and we had to handle them very carefully.  For the first thirteen miles we passed many clay-pans full of water—­water nearly everywhere—­after which there was very little; and the rain does not appear to have been heavy to the east.  The river is about a mile and a half north of us, and we have not seen it for some miles.  Latitude 27 deg. 9’ south.  Hope to reach the telegraph line to-morrow.