but it was, on the whole, the best and almost only course open to him.  The cattle had made this camp in two stages from the Einasleih.  It was, consequently, No.  LI.  The latitude was found to be 17 degrees 23 minutes 24 seconds:  a tree was marked with these numbers, in addition to the usual initial and numbers.  The Thermometer at daylight marked 90 degrees, and at noon 103 degrees, in the ‘shade!’

‘November’ 4.—­A late start was made to-day, a number of the horses having strayed, and not having been got in.  The Brothers went ahead, and marked a line for five miles out to the creek mentioned on the 30th October:  it contained sufficient water for the horses and cattle, and was the best watercourse they would get until they reached the next river, a distance of 30 miles.  It received the name of “Belle Creek,” in remembrance of “Belle,” one of their best horses, who died at this camp, apparantly from a snake bite, the symptoms being the same as in the case of “Dora,” but the time shorter.  Belle Creek is rocky and tolerably well watered, and remarkable for the number of nonda trees on it.  Whilst waiting for the cattle the Brothers caught some fish and a fine lot of maramies.

‘November’ 5.—­This day appears to have been one of disasters.  It opened with the intelligence that sixteen of the horses were missing.  Leaving one party to seek and bring on the stray horses, the Brothers started the cattle forward:  they left instructions at the camp for the horses to start, if recovered before 3 o’clock; if not, to be watched all night, and brought on the next day.  They then started, and preceding the cattle, marked a line for 15 miles to “Maroon Creek.”  Here they camped without water, waiting with some anxiety for the arrival of the pack-horses.  Hour after hour passed but none appeared, and as night closed in, the Brothers were forced to the conclusion that something must have gone wrong at the camp.  They could not however turn back, as they had to mark the next day’s stage for the cattle to water, there being none for them to-night, and only a little for the party, obtained by digging, however, they were relieved by the appearance of a blackboy with rations, who reported that some of the horses had not been found when he left the camp.  The night was spent in watching the thirsty cattle.

‘November’ 6.—­The cattle were started at dawn and driven on to the watered creek, where they got feed and water at some fine waterholes, it received the name of “Cockburn Creek;” the Brothers as usual preceded them and marked a line further ahead.  Arrived there, they spent the rest of the day in fishing whilst uneasily waiting the arrival of the pack-horses.  They luckily caught some fish for supper, for night fell without the appearance of the remainder of the party, and they had nothing to eat since the preceding night.  The country has already been described.