‘November’ 23.—­Sambo, the best tracker among the black-boys, was despatched at sunrise, with Peter, to look for the missing horses.  He returned at sundown with the mule, which he had found on the opposite side of the river, but he had seen no traces of the rest.  Peter came in after dark, without any, he had seen the tracks of the natives on the horse tracks, and related in his own jargon, that “blackfella bin run’em horses all about” and “that bin brok’em hobble.”  He had also seen two or three of the blacks themselves, at the lagoon where the brothers met them on the 14th, and had some parley with them—­he described them a “cawbawn saucy” “that tell’im come on, me trong fella, you little fella,” and after chaffing him in their own way, sent as many spears at him as he would stand for.  The detention caused by the loss of the horses, was a serious matter, whilst the hostility of the natives was very annoying, keeping the party constantly on the alert.  The interval was occupied in patching up the ration tent, with portions of the other two, so that they had now one water-proof to protect their stores.  Some good snipe and duck shooting might have been got round these lagoons, but as nearly all their caps had been destroyed by the fire, it was not to be thought of.  The scarcity of these and of horse-flesh alone prevented the Brothers from turning out and giving their troublesome enemies a good drilling, which, indeed, they richly deserved, for they had in every case been the agressors, and hung about the party, treacherously waiting for an opportunity to take them by surprise.  The detention also was due to them, which was a matter of some anxiety to the Leader, when it is considered that the party was in a level flooded country, without a rise that they knew of within fifty miles, and that the rains of the last ten days portended the breaking up the dry season.

‘November’ 24.—­This morning Frank Jardine went out with Eulah, and succeded in finding 5 more of the horses, scattered all over the country, their hobbles broken, and as wild as hawks.  He sent Eulah along the tracks of the last two, who were evidently not far ahead, and brought the others in himself.  These two “Cerebus” and “Creamy,” were the best and fattest of the pack-horses.  Their loss would have made a serious addition to the loads of the remainder, who had already to share 400lbs.  Extra in consequence of the poisoning of the three already lost.  Whilst waiting for and expecting their arrival every hour, the different members of the party amused themselves as best they might by fishing, opossum, sugar-bag hunting, and nonda gathering.  The monotony of the camp was also broken by a little grumbling, consequent on an order from the Leader against the opening of the next week’s ration bag.  The party had, during the halt consumed a week’s rations a day and a-half too soon, hence the order, which was a wise precaution.  The rations were calculated with care to last through the journey, but, unless a restriction had been placed on the consumption, this could not be hoped for.  But it is difficult to reason with hungry men.