it there we went west and reached the river in about four and a half
miles. We then followed it down for about two miles in a southward
direction where we found the blacks we had seen up the river. Upon
telling them we had not found water back from the river, and that we now
wanted them to show us the road to the next river and would give them a
tomahawk and a shirt for doing so, they promised if we would bring our
party down the river they would do so. We saw here two old gins and a
little girl whom we had not seen before. One of the gins was a
disfigured-looking object; she had lost her nose and lips. The little
girl was about four years old; she had good features and was fat and
plump. To please the blacks we let one of the little boys ride a horse
for a short distance. After asking them to remain in this neighbourhood
we returned to camp.

April 10.

As I imagined, Gregory's party had traced the Thomson River to its head.
I did not suppose this river was it. I determined, as we had used the
most of our stores, to leave the river if possible and start for the
settled districts. It was very vexatious to come to this resolution as
the river was flowing almost in the direction of Burke's starting point
on Cooper's Creek. We left Camp 44 at 9.50 a.m. and reached the place we
had arranged to meet the blacks in about fourteen miles. It took us,
travelling steadily exclusive of stoppages, five hours to reach it. The
blacks were waiting for us and conducted us about half a mile further
down the river to a good place for our encampment. I gave a pound of
flour to one of the blackfellows. He is going tomorrow on foot to see if
there is water in the waterholes on the road to Barcoo River. Jemmy made
flour into a cake and the blackfellow and his companions ate it with
avidity. I gave the blacks a comb, and Jackey pleased them very much by