cropping out occasionally above the surface.  The river was here a quarter-of-a-mile wide, salt, and running strongly.  Before the pack-horses came up, a mob of blacks approached the camp, and getting up in the trees, took a good survey of the white intruders, but on one of the party going towards them they scampered off over the open ground towards the river.  The recollection of the affair at the crossing place probably quickening their movements.  Just at sun-down, however, the sharp eyes of the black-boys detected some of them actually trying to stalk the whites, using green boughs for screens.  So the Brothers taking with them Scrutton and the four black-boys, started in chase.  They were in camp costume, that is to say, shirt and belt, and all in excellent condition and wind, and now a hunt commenced, which perhaps stands alone in the annals of nature warfare.  On being detected the natives again decamped, but this time closely pursued.  The party could at any time overtake or outstep the fugitives, but they contented themselves with pressing steadilly on them, in open order, without firing a shot, occasionally making a spurt, which had the effect of causing the blacks to drop nearly all their spears.  They fairly hunted them for two miles into the scrub, when, as darkness was coming on, they left their dingy assailants to recover their wind, and returned to camp laughing heartily at their “blank run,” and taking with them as many of the abondoned spears as they could carry. (Camp XLVII.) Distance 9 1/2 miles.  Course W.N.W.

‘December’ 22.—­The Mitchell was left finally to-day, Mr. Jardine determining on beginning the “straight running” for Cape York.  The first 8 miles was to a broad rocky creek, over tea-tree and box flats, and small plains, fairly grassed, the best coast country that had been seen.  The creek appeared to be permanent, although there was no water where it was crossed.  From thence to camp, 7 miles, was over saline plains, intersected by belts of bloodwood, tea-tree, mangrove, nuptle, grevillea, dogwood, applegum, silky oak, and pandanus.  A second creek was crossed at 11 miles, similar to the first.  The camp was pitched at a puddle, without a blade of grass, although its appearance was beautifully green, caused by a small sort of tea-tree growing in great abundance, about 10 inches high, with seven or eight large leaves on it.  A steer was killed in the evening, giving the party a very acceptable meal of meat, the first they had tasted for three days, the weather being too hot to kill, and there being no game to shoot.  Course N. by W. Distance 15 miles. (Camp XLVIII.) Latitude 15 degrees 2 minutes 10 seconds.