The idea at first entertained that they
were those of Gray is not tenable. A glance at the map will show
that Gray died and was buried far away to the north-east of
McKinlay's track.
On the day of King's arrival in Melbourne, my son's watch, a gold
chronometer, which he had used to calculate the longitudes by, was
duly delivered to me in presence of the Governor; also his last
letter, distinctly traced in a firm hand on a ruled page torn from
some book. It was not sealed, but neatly wrapped in a loose cover.
The relic is invaluable.
MR. WILLS'S LAST LETTER TO HIS FATHER. BROUGHT DOWN BY KING.
Cooper's Creek, 27 June, 1861.
MY DEAR FATHER,
These are probably the last lines you will ever get from me. We are
on the point of starvation, not so much from absolute want of food,
but from the want of nutriment in what we can get.
Our position, although more provoking, is probably not near so
disagreeable as that of poor Harry* and his companions.
[* Footnote: Harry, his cousin, Lieutenant Le Vescompte, who perished
with Sir John Franklin.]
We have had very good luck, and made a most successful trip
to Carpentaria, and back to where we had every right to consider
ourselves safe, having left a depot here consisting of four
men, twelve horses, and six camels.
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