‘February’ 22.—­Although it was raining heavily with every appearance of a continuance, the party started to return up the river in excellent spirits.  The Brothers were now certain that they should have no difficulty in finding the Settlement on their next trip.  They were, however, very much puzzled as to where such a large stream as the Escape was found to be, should rise.  They now re-traced their steps, and camped close to their last camp LXXXVII.  Six miles.

‘February’ 23.—­To-day was spent in killing and jerking a beast, and preparing for the Leader’s third start in search of the Settlement.  The rain poured down heavily, causing the river to rise very fast.  Another raft similar to that made at camp 83, had to be constructed, a work of some time, for the only wood fit for making the frame was dry nonda, which was scarce.  The rain too, very much impeded the drying of the beef, for which, as usual, a bark gunyah had to be erected.  Everything, however, was got well forward for the important business of crossing the next morning.

‘February’ 24.—­The horses, saddles, and rations were all crossed in safety to-day, though not without difficulty.  In swimming the horses particular care had to be taken, for there was only one small spot on the other side at which they could be landed.  As explained on the 5th, on the occasion of the second start, it requires a strong swift swimmer to lead a horse across a stream, and in this the white men, or at least, three of them, were much superior to the black-boys, who, although all good swimmers, were much more efficient in the service of the raft.  This only illustrates the rule that most white men can beat the aboriginal in swimming fast, whilst the latter has superior endurance; but there is no doubt, that under the same conditions of education and practice, the civilized white man is superior to the savage in any physical function or exercise.  The rain poured down consistently during the whole of the day, and a cold cutting wind drove the swimming party at intervals to the fires, where, whilst toasting the outward, they solaced the inner man with a decoction of Scrutton’s, by courtesy called, soup, being an ’olla podrida’, or more properly “bouillon,” of the bones, gristle, head, and oddments of the lately-killed beast.  This was always a stock repast after each kill-day, and there is but little doubt but that its “osmazome” contributed not a little, to the good health and heart of the party.  Almost every exploring party on short commons, records some favourite cookery, some dish that their souls loved.  In McKinlay’s journey, the dish most in vogue was a kind of “amorphous” black-pudding, made of the carefully-saved blood of the bullock, horse, or sheep, as the case might be, boiled with some fat, and seasoned with a little condiment, which being of light carriage, can always be saved for such high occasions.  In the present instance, the fat was always devoted to the greasing of the saddles,