McKinlays Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia | Page 2

to ride over to the
lake myself to water my horse, leaving Palmer, and Frank (a native)
with the cart and all the water to remain till the bullocks returned for
the cart. Started and at one and a half miles found the bullocks at a
standstill and the sheep in sight, the bullocks refusing to be driven and
charging the blacks. Just as I came up by some mischance the coupling
of one of the charging bullocks gave way, and in an instant poor Peter
was tossed up in the air by Bawley and as he descended was caught up
again and tossed about on the ground; invariably the brute caught his
horns against the large canteen and saved the poor fellow's life. I was
obliged to leave the black then aft with the cart, and with Sambo started
on for water; travelled and spelled during the whole night and got to the
lake early Sunday 29th, party all right; lots of blacks, apparently
peaceably inclined. Found that Mr. Hodgkinson and Mr. Middleton had
that morning started for the dray with the camels with a supply of water.
Mr. Elder and Mr. Stuckey went to look at the country and returned in
the evening; the sandhills and flats alternately bore north-north-west
and south-south-east from the camel and horses camp of 27th.
Monday, September 30.
Mr. Elder, Mr. Stuckey, and Mr. Giles started; wrote a pencil memo to
town. Since we left last station weather very hot and disagreeable in the
extreme for the time of year. Anxious about the men and camels; went
westward some distance to find traces of the camels, thinking it
probable that they might have strayed from them; very hot, north wind,
no traces, nor did they return.
Tuesday, October 1.
Exceedingly anxious about the missing party; started out to the cart,
found missing party had arrived there all safe on 29th, and started early
on the 30th on their return. Immediately started back to lake, horse
knocked up; obliged to camp with him and arrived at camp on
Wednesday 2nd at 6 a.m., missing party not returned: thought I would
never see them again, and an awful blow it would be to me, in the first
place the loss of my two best men and the four camels I had so much
reliance in. At once on arrival sent for three horses and took Bell and
Jack (the native) with me to endeavour to get traces of them or the
camels; proceeded east to the end of the lake and round the eastern end

northward but no traces whatever; returned to camp with the intention
of proceeding westward in search with Jack, and to my infinite pleasure
found they, with the camels, had some short time before returned in a
most exhausted state, their mouths, tongues, and throats in a most
pitiable condition, and perfectly worn out; had they been out the
remainder of that day without success they (the men) must have
perished. From their own account it appears they, to lighten the cart,
packed on the camels as much of the light sundries as they could, and
on their return they by some ill luck got off the track and got confused,
and after many efforts and leaving part of their load they abandoned
themselves to the guidance of the camels who, by their instinct I
suppose, brought them safe to a long lake west of the one we were
encamped at, some five or seven miles off. On their arrival on the water
they were met by a number of natives who kindly got them water and
fish to supply their wants, and after spelling a time got some of them as
guides to the camp on Pando, where they were rewarded by presents of
a tomahawk and blanket, etc. Started Bell out to the cart with the
bullocks and blackfellows, Sambo and Jack, leading a packhorse with
supplies of damper and water.
Thursday, October 3.
Invalids recovering; Hodgkinson does not seem to have suffered as
much as Middleton.
Friday, October 4.
Hodgkinson, with Davis and Jack, two freshest camels (Coppin and
Siva) and two horses and plenty of water and food, started to run their
tracks for the loading they left from the camels. The cart arrived all safe
about midday. The bullock, Bawley, never made his appearance, and I
suppose has gone to find his way back to Mr. Jacob's from whence he
was purchased. Cool westerly breeze.
Saturday, October 5.
Hodgkinson and party arrived all safe and were successful in finding
the left articles. Middleton very slowly recovering.
Sunday, October 6, and Monday, October 7.
Spelling the camels and bullocks; taking off the shoes of the horses that
were shod in town, having stayed on remarkably well. The country