Secondly, the course of the river
differed. And thirdly, although he had travelled further to the west
than Leichhardt's junction of the Lynd and Mitchell, he had not even
been on Mitchell waters, the northern watershed he had been on, on
the 10th, being that of a small creek, doubling on itself, and
running into this river. Having thus set the matter at rest in his
own mind, he determined to re-trace his steps, and accordingly
started back this morning and camped at night at the shallow lagoon,
passed the day previous. On the way they shot several ducks and a
bustard. These are very numerous on the plains, but wild and
unapproachable, as they most frequently are in the north. At each
camp on his journey Mr. Jardine regularly marked a tree A.J. and the
number of the Camp.
'September' 13. - The party travelled back over Bauhinia Plains, and
camped on the river, near camp 8 of the outward journey. At night
they went fishing, and got a number of fine perch, and a small
spotted fish. Distance 24 miles.
'September' 14. - To-day the party saw blacks for the first time
since leaving Carpentaria Downs. They "rounded them up," and had a
parley, without hostility on either side, each being on the
defensive, and observing the other. They bore no distinctive
character, or apparent difference to the Rockhampton tribes, and were
armed with reed speers and wommerahs. For the first time also they
met with the ripe fruit of the Palinaria, the "Nonda" of Leichhardt.
The distance travelled was 27 miles, which brought them to the 7th
camp on the outward journey.
'September' 15. - Following up the course of the river, the 6th camp
was reached in 26 miles, where the feed was so good that Mr. Jardine
determined to halt for a day and recruit the horses. On the way they
again passed some natives who were fishing in a large lagoon, but
shewed no hostility. They had an opportunity of seeing their mode of
spearing the fish, in which they used a long heavy four-pronged
spear, barbed with kangaroo bones.
'September' 16. - Was spent in fishing and hunting, whilst the
horses luxuriated in the abundant feed. They caught some perch, and
a fine cod, not unlike the Murray cod in shape, but darker and
without scales. At night, there being a fine moonlight, they went
out to try and shoot opossums as an addition to the larder, but were
unsuccessful. They appeared to be very scarce.
'September' 17. - Resuming their journey, the party travelled 21
miles, to a spot about 4 miles below No. 5 camp, on Gaala Creek, and
turned out. Here they met with wild lucerne in great abundance, and
a great deal of mica and talc was observed in the river. During the
day Mr. Jardine shot a bustard, and some fish being again caught in
the evening, there was high feeding in camp at night.
