Walking was bad enough, but this extra exertion was rather too much.  Besides, we were sadly in need of sleep; so, taking advantage of what little shade we could find by following round the shadow of a gum tree as the sun moved, Charlie slept whilst I watched our black friend, and then I did the same.  On arrival at camp we found that our companions had been so successful in “soak-sucking,” i.e., baling and scraping up the miserable trickle of water as it soaks into the “caisson,” that by sunset we were able to give the camels eight gallons each, and two gallons extra to Misery, who was showing signs of a rapid recovery.  Luckily there was a little patch of dry herbage not far from the well, and a few acacias over the ridge.  All the next day we were occupied in “soak-sucking,” and Warri went back for Misery’s saddle, which had been thrown off.  I took the opportunity of writing up my diary—­anything but a pleasant job, for shade there was none, except in a reclining position under our solitary ti-tree bush.  The native’s close proximity and the swarm of flies, made the task quite hateful, for under the most favourable conditions there are few things I dislike more than writing.  On September 28th I chronicled a most remarkable fact, viz., that the two camels Satan and Redleap had had no more than thirteen gallons of water in the preceding thirty-eight days—­a wonderful exhibition of endurance and pluck in this burning weather and barren country.  It came about in this way:—­

August 22nd.  At Woodhouse Lagoon they had a full drink in the morning.

August 29th.  At Warri Well, where the parakeelia grew, two gallons in the evening.

September 8th.  At Patience Well they were the last to be watered, eight gallons in the evening.

September 18th.  At Family Well, parakeelia again, three gallons at night.

September 28th.  Half a drink.

Therefore between the 22nd of August and the 28th of September they had no more than thirteen gallons.

Satan had more travelling, though carrying a less load, than any of the rest, being used for scouting and finding natives.

On the evening of the 29th I left my work down the well to take some observations; unluckily I was just too late for the stars I wanted, and had to wait up for some long time.  We had divided the night into five shifts for baling; when my turn came my companions did not wake me, but did my shift for me.  I am sure I appreciated their kindly thought, and felt thankful indeed, and not for the first time, that I had managed to choose such excellent mates—­for I had long realised that without peace and unanimity in such a party, our chances of getting through the desert would be greatly minimised.

I found our position to be lat. 21 degrees 49 minutes, long. 126 degrees 33 minutes.