from Rockingham Bay to Cape York, in which his own and half his party’s lives were sacrificed, was not very encouraging for the intended expedition, Mr. Jardine never for a moment doubted of its success, and looked forward to meeting his sons at Somerset as a matter of course.  In the prime of youth and health (their ages were but 22 and 20), strong, active, and hardy, inured to the life and habits of the bush, with an instinct of locality, which has been alluded to as having “la Boussole dans la tete,” they were eminently fitted for the task, and eagerly undertook it when proposed.  How well they carried it out, although, unfortunately, with so little benefit to themselves, is here recorded.  Had poor Wills been associated with such companions there would have been a different tale to tell to that which lends so melancholy an interest to his name, and we should now have him amongst us to honor, instead of a monument to his memory, a monument, which in honoring the dead, rebukes the living.

The loss of three-fourths of their horses, and a fifth of their cattle, together with a large equipment, has made the enterprise of the Messrs. Jardine, speaking financially, little short of a failure, but at their age the mind is resilient, and not easily damped by misfortune.  On their return to Brisbane the Government, with kind consideration, proposed to place such a sum on the Estimates of Parliament as would indemnify them, and at the same time mark its sense of the high merit and importance of their journey, but this, through their father, they respectfully declined, Frank Jardine giving as his reason, that as the expedition was a private enterprise and not a public undertaking, he did not consider himself entitled to any indemnity from the public.  Opinions may be divided on such a conclusion, but in it we cannot but recognise a delicacy and nobility of sentiment as rare, unfortunately, as it is admirable.  Yet, if they have thus voluntarily cut themselves off from the substantial rewards which have hitherto recompensed other explorers, they are still entitled to the high praise and commendation of all who admire spirit and determination of purpose, and cannot be insensible to their applause.  And it is in recognition that such is their due, that the writer has undertaken to bring this narrative before the public.

CHAPTER I.

Start from Rockhampton—­Alexander Jardine explores the Einasleih—­
Newcastle Range—­Pluto Creek—­Canal Creek—­Basaltic Plateau—­
Warroul Creek—­Parallel Creek—­Galas Creek—­Porphyry Islands—­
Alligators’ tracks—­Bauhinia Plains—­Discovers error as to River
Lynd—­Return—­The Nonda—­Burdekin duck—­Simon’s Gap—­
Arrival of the cattle—­Preparation for final start.