At
first I inclined to go round to the Gulf with Captain Norman, and
obtained permission to do so, when an announcement reached
Melbourne by telegram to the effect that the South Australian
Government had decided on sending an Expedition from that quarter,
and asking for the loan of some camels, with the use of the two
that had strayed in that direction, and had been brought down to
Adelaide from Dr. Brown's station. These turned out to be two of
the three that my son had lost when out on an excursion from
Cooper's Creek, the circumstances of which have been already
mentioned. Mr. McKinlay was at that time in Melbourne. He
immediately started by the Havelock steamer to offer his services
as leader of the party. I sent a letter to Sir Richard McDonnel,
the Governor, by him, proposing to accompany them as surgeon, and
to assist as guide. I received a reply by telegram asking if I
would put myself under Mr. McKinlay, and also requesting from the
Government some additional camels. I obtained permission from Mr.
Heales to have those that might be useful, and in three days
started in the Oscar (since lost) with the camels.
On arriving in Adelaide, I found that the South Australian
Expedition was instructed to proceed, in the first instance, to
Cooper's Creek, whither Mr.
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