Tuesday, 5th March, 1861.—­Camp 17R.  Started at two A.M. on a south-south-westerly course, but had soon to turn in on the creek, as Mr. Burke felt very unwell, having been attacked by dysentery since eating the snake; he now felt giddy and unable to keep his seat.  At six A.M., Mr. Burke feeling better, we started again, following along the creek, in which there was considerably more water than when we passed down.  We camped, at 2.15 P.M., at a part of the creek where the date trees [Footnote:  Probably Livistonas.] were very numerous, and found the fruit nearly ripe and very much improved on what it was when we were here before.

Wednesday, 6th March, 1861.—­Camp 18R.  Arrived at our former camp, and found the feed richer than ever, and the ants just as troublesome.  Mr. Burke is a little better, and Charley looks comparatively well.  The dryness of the atmosphere seems to have a beneficial effect on all.  We found yesterday, that it was a hopeless matter about Golah, and we were obliged to leave him behind, as he seemed to be completely done up and could not come on, even when the pack and saddle were taken off.

Thursday, 7th March, 1861.—­Fig-tree Camp; 19R; Palm-tree Camp, 104, and 20 degrees Latitude, by observation, coming down, 20 degrees 21 minutes 40 seconds.  There is less water here than there was when we passed down, although there is evidence of the creek having been visited by considerable floods during the interval.  Feed is abundant, and the vegetation more fresh than before.  Mr. Burke almost recovered, but Charley is again very unwell and unfit to do anything; he caught cold last night through carelessness in covering himself.

Friday, 8th March, 1861.—­Camp 20R.  Followed the creek more closely coming up than going down.  Found more water in it generally.

Saturday, 9th March, 1861.—­Camp 21R.  Reached our former camp at 1. 30 P.M.  Found the herbage much dried up, but still plenty of feed for the camels.

Sunday, 10th March, 1861.—­Camp 22R.  Camped at the junction of a small creek from the westward, a short distance below our former camp, there being plenty of good water here, whereas the supply at Specimen Camp is very doubtful.

Monday, 11th March, 1861.—­Camp 23R.  Halted for breakfast at the Specimen Camp at 7.15 A.M., found more water and feed there than before; then proceeded up the creek and got safely over the most dangerous part of our journey.  Camped near the head of the Gap in a flat, about two miles below our former camp at the Gap.

Tuesday, 12th March, 1861.—­Camp 24R.

Wednesday, 13th March, 1861.—­Camp 25R.  Rain all day, so heavily that I was obliged to put my watch and field book in the pack to keep them dry.  In the afternoon the rain increased, and all the creeks became flooded.  We took shelter under some fallen rocks, near which was some feed for the camels; but the latter was of no value, for we had soon to remove them up amongst the rocks, out of the way of the flood, which fortunately did not rise high enough to drive us out of the cave; but we were obliged to shift our packs to the upper part.  In the evening the water fell as rapidly as it had risen, leaving everything in a very boggy state.  There were frequent light showers during the night.