chosen yesterday for our encampment and unsaddled. Gleeson had so much
recovered that he did not complain of fatigue during the day's journey.
Distance today fourteen miles.

March 23.

As this was Sunday we rested ourselves and horses. Gleeson and Jemmy
still unwell; the former very weak and complaining of want of appetite
and sleep.

March 24.

Today we followed the creek down for about fifteen miles and
three-quarters and encamped at a fine waterhole. All along the creek
there are fine deep waterholes. The channel is a kind of sandstone
formation, particularly good for retaining water. About eight miles above
here the creek is joined by another watercourse, about the same size,
from the north-west. I have named it Coxen Creek. The country is not so
level as it is higher up the creek. The soil is very good with grass,
saltbush, and herbs. Sheep or cattle will do well on it but it will not
carry much stock to its acreage as it is confined at many places by
ridges with triodia and only a small proportion of other grasses. Triodia
is certainly better than nothing, as stock will eat it when it is young,
and at other times will eat it rather than starve. The best part of the
country is thickly wooded with acacia and other small trees. This would
not be objectionable where blacks were quiet and where it is not
necessary at times to run sheep in large flocks; but in the first
occupation of the country it will be so, as labour will probably be
scarce. We travelled today at our usual pace from 8.27 a.m. to 1.55 p.m.
Gleeson was so much recovered that he did not complain of fatigue. We