is worn either cut with flints or bitten off short.  So soon as the two natives heard, and then looking round saw us, they scampered off like emus, running along as close to the ground as it is possible for any two-legged creature to do.  One was quite a young fellow, the other full grown.  They ran up the side of the hills, and kept travelling along parallel to us; but though we stopped and called, and signalled with boughs, they would not come close, and the oftener I tried to come near them on foot, the faster they ran.  They continued alongside us until King’s Creek was reached, where we rested the horses for an hour.  We soon became aware that a number of natives were in our vicinity, our original two yelling and shouting to inform the others of our advent, and presently we saw a whole nation of them coming from the glen or gorge to the south-west, where I had noticed camp-fires on my first arrival here.  The new people were also shouting and yelling in the most furious and demoniacal manner; and our former two, as though deputed by the others, now approached us much nearer than before, and came within twenty yards of us, but holding their spears fixed in their wommerahs, in such a position that they could use them instantly if they desired.  The slightest incident might have induced them to spear us, but we appeared to be at our ease, and endeavoured to parley with them.  The men were not handsome or fat, but were very well made, and, as is the case with most of the natives of these parts, were rather tall, namely five feet eight and nine inches.  When they had come close enough, the elder began to harangue us, and evidently desired us to know that we were trespassers, and were to be off forthwith, as he waved us away in the direction we had come from.  The whole host then took up the signal, howled, yelled, and waved their hands and weapons at us.  Fortunately, however, they did not actually attack us; we were not very well prepared for attack, as we had only a revolver each, our guns and rifles being left with Robinson.  As our horses were frightened and would not feed, we hurried our departure, when we were saluted with rounds of cheers and blessings, i.e. yells and curses in their charming dialect, until we were fairly out of sight and hearing.  On reaching the camp, Alec reported that no natives had been seen during our absence.  On inspecting the two lame horses, it appeared they were worse than ever.

We had a very sudden dry thunderstorm, which cooled the air.  Next day I sent Alec and Carmichael over to the first little five-mile creek eastwards with the two lame horses, so that we can pick them up en route to-morrow.  They reported that the horses could scarcely travel at all; I thought if I could get them to Penny’s Creek I would leave them there.  This little depot camp was at length broken up, after it had existed here from 15th October to 5th November.  I never expected, after being nearly three months out, that I should be pushing to