February 11.

In consequence of having to repair packs and packsaddles we could not
manage to leave until 1.10 p.m. The three weeks' rest the horses had on
the rich pasture near the depot made a wonderful improvement in their
condition. They were so restive yesterday that several of them in
galloping and plunging did considerable damage to the packs and
packsaddles. As the tracks of Walker's party were so indistinct that I
could only see them when pointed out to me by the aborigines of our
party, I foresaw that it would be tedious if not impossible to follow
them to where Mr. Walker said he had left the tracks of Mr. Burke's
party. When we had come a short distance over fine well-grassed plains we
reached a saltwater creek, which we followed up a short distance, then
crossed it and encamped in haste, as we saw a heavy thunder-shower was
about to fall. Before leaving last camp I made an observation of the sun
and found its meridian altitude 86 degrees 3 minutes. The latitude is by
this observation 17 degrees 53 minutes. We came here on the following
courses: 1.40 south-east and by east, one and a half miles; 2.22 south
one and a half miles to saltwater creek; 2.25 north-east half a mile up
the creek; 2.50 south-west and by west, half a mile up the creek to ford.
Distance come today four and a half miles.

February 12.

Camp 2, which we left this morning at 7.20, is situated about seven miles
south-east from the Albert River depot. In our journey today, although we
often got off the tracks of Walker's party, we did not altogether lose
them. Near where we encamped tonight Jemmy saw a dead horse. From last
camp we came over well-grassed, lightly wooded plains for five miles,
then over flat country for four and three-quarter miles. The land was