Leaving King
with the camel, we went on a mile or two to see if we could find
water; and being unsuccessful we were obliged to return to where we
had breakfasted as being the best place for feed and water.--To
Camp 10.
Sunday, 5th May, 1861.--Started by myself, to reconnoitre the
country in a southerly direction, leaving Mr. Burke and King with
the camel at Camp 10. Travelled south-west by south for two hours,
following the course of the most southerly billibongs; found the
earthy soil becoming more loose and cracked up, and the box track
gradually disappearing. Changed course to west for a high sand
ridge, which I reached in one hour and a half, and continuing in
the same direction to one still higher, obtained from it a good
view of the surrounding country. To the north were the extensive
box forests bounding the creek on either side. To the east earthy
plains intersected by watercourses and lines of timber, and bounded
in the distance by sand ridges. To the south the projection of the
sand ridge partially intercepted the view; the rest was composed of
earthy plains, apparently clothed with chrysanthemums. To the
westward another but smaller plain was bounded also by high sand
ridges running nearly parallel with the one on which I was
standing.
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