‘October’, 18.—­Another severe stage, still down the bed of Parallel Creek, from which indeed there was no issue.  Frank Jardine describes it as a “pass or gorge, through the range which abuts on each side through perpendicular cliffs, filling it up with great blocks of stone,” and adding that “a few more days of similar country would bring their horses to a standstill.”  Their backs and the feet of the cattle were in a woeful plight from its effects:  one horse was lost, and a bull and several head of cattle completely knocked up.  Bad as yesterday’s journey was, this day’s beat it; they managed to travel ten miles over the most villanous country imaginable, with scarcely a vestage of grass, when the camp was again pitched in the bed of the creek.  A large number of natives were seen to-day—­one mob was disturbed at a waterhole, where they were cooking fish, which they left in their alarm, together with their arms.  The spears were the first that had been observed made of reed, and a stone tomahawk was seen, as large as the largest-sized American axe.  These blacks were puny wretched-looking creatures, and very thin.  They had a great number of wild dogs with them—­over thirty being counted by the party. 10 miles, N.W. by W. 1/2 W. (Camp ix.)

‘October’ 19.—­The confluence of Parallel Creek with the Einasleih was reached in four miles, after which the country on the river slightly improved; the camp was pitched four miles further on, on a river flat, within sight of a large scrub, on the east side.  Four of the cattle that had been knocked up yesterday were sent for before starting, and fetched—­the cattle counted and found correct.  The river at the camp was about 700 yards wide, with fine waterholes in it, containing plenty of fish.  A strange discovery was made to-day.  At a native fire the fresh remains of a negro were found ‘roasted’, the head and thigh bones were alone complete, all the rest of the body and limbs had been broken up, the skull was full of blood.  Whether this was the body of an enemy cooked for food, or of a friend disposed of after the manner of their last rites, must remain a mystery, until the country and its denizens become better known.  Some spears were found pointed with sharp pieces of flint, fastened on with kangaroo sinews, and the gum of the Xanthorea, or grass-tree.  (Camp X.)

‘October’ 20.—­The last of the stony ground was travelled over to-day, and the foot-sore cattle were able to luxuriate in the soft sandy ground of the river flats.  At about 6 miles Galaa Creek was crossed at Alexander Jardine’s marked tree (V in a square), and the Rocky Island at its junction, before mentioned, were seen.  At this point the ranges come into the river on each side.  The camp was pitched at about five miles further on, at a fine waterhole, where there was good grass—­a welcome change for cattle and horses.  It was not reached, however, till about 9 o’clock.  The river afforded the party some fine fish—­cod, perch, and peel, and a lobster weighing more than half-a-pound.  Its channels were very numerous, making altogether nearly a mile in width.  Scrub was in sight during the whole of the stage, the crests of the broken ridges being covered with garrawon. (Camp xi.)