plains, as far as the eye could reach, intersected by numerous
lines of timber, the general direction of which was about
north-north-west. Several columns of smoke were visible along these
lines, some of which had the appearance of camp and others of bush
fires. From north-west to north were lines of ranges running in a
north-westerly direction, and in the valley between us and the
first spur was a fine line of timber, indicating the course of what
appeared to be a large creek, probably the recipient of all the
small creeks that we had crossed during the morning; in every other
direction there was nothing to be seen but timbered sandstone
ranges. At noon we crossed a small creek running nearly north: the
grass had been burnt on its banks. About half a mile beyond it was
another creek of a more promising appearance, and as we approached
it we saw several crows, as well as other birds, in the trees. We
here found a small hole with the water fast drying up; it contained
a lot of young fish about half an inch long, and just sufficient
water to replenish our water bags and give the horses a drink;
below it the creek took a north-north-westerly course, and was dry
and sandy for a distance of two miles and a half, at which point we
found some large but shallow holes of milky-looking water. On the
plains near these holes we found large flocks of pigeons. The grass
was very coarse and dry, and the water would probably not last more
than a few weeks.

Horse Tracks.--On the plains to the east of the creek were the
tracks of a single horse, which had evidently crossed when the
ground was very soft, and gone in a south-westerly direction.

Position of Water.--The waterholes are situated in latitude 27
degrees 51 south, longitude 142 degrees 40 minutes east, by account