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