Our emu meat became tainted, in consequence of the heat and the long stage.

Sept. 16.—­We continued our course N. 25 degrees W. and, at the end of two miles, came to another foot-path of the natives, which I requested Charley to follow.  We passed through tea-tree forest, and a succession of Cycas groves, and came out into plains, and to the heads of sandy creeks with tea-tree shrubs and Salicornia.  We were just turning to the westward, expecting to find a large salt-water river before us, when we heard Charley’s gun, the signal of his having found water.  He soon after joined us, and guided us on the foot-path, three miles south-west, to a large well, near a much frequented camping place of the natives, under the banks of a magnificent salt-water river.  Its banks were covered with a close forest of Cycas palms.  The well was formed by the natives, who had raised a wall of clay, by which they caught the fresh water which sparingly oozed out of a layer of clay very little above the mark of high water.

We unloaded our bullocks:  but, having watered our horses, we found that the supply of the well was not even sufficient for them, and that it was filling very slowly.  The poor bullocks had, therefore, to wait until the water could again collect.  We had fairly to defend it against our horses, which eagerly pressed towards the water, or stood anxiously waiting on the steep slopes, like cats and dogs round a dog’s meat cart, now and then uttering a neigh of discontent.  When Charley first discovered the well, he saw a crocodile leaning its long head over the clay wall, enjoying a drink of fresh water.

The river or creek at which we encamped, and which I called “Cycas Creek,” at two miles lower down, entered a still larger river coming from the westward, which I called the “Robinson,” in acknowledgment of the liberal support which I received from J. P. Robinson, Esq., in the outfit of my expedition.  Charley saw a shoal of porpoises in it when he went down the river to fetch the horses.  Wishing to ascertain how far the salt water extended, and whether any fresh water lagoons were near us, I took Charley, and followed a foot-path of the natives which led up Cycas Creek, and passed a succession of Cycas groves, of tea-tree forest with bloodwood and white-gum, and some Cypress pine thickets.  After seven miles, the salt water ceased, and a ledge of rock separated it from a fine pool of slightly brackish water, on which some natives were encamped, but they left the place directly we made our appearance.  I crossed, and found on the left side a fine rocky lagoon, above the level of the water in the creek.  After paying a visit to the deserted camp, we returned to our companions, made our dinner on tainted emu meat, reloaded our bullocks and horses, and travelled by moonlight up to the lagoon.  About three miles before we reached it, we were obliged to leave our old bullock, as he refused to walk any farther:  but Mr. Calvert and Brown brought him next morning to the camp.