It Will Be Seen, However, That The Explorer Was Right, And The Surveyor Wrong.

It being expedient that the party should husband their rations for the journey until the final start, Mr. Macdonald kindly supplied them with what was necessary for their present wants, thus allowing them to keep their own stores intact.

On the 6th of October, Frank Jardine made his appearance with the cattle, a mob of about 250 head of bullocks and cows in good condition. The ensuing three days were spent by the brothers in shoeing the horses, a job of no little tedium and difficulty, they being the only farriers of the party. There were 42 head to shoe, many of which had never been shod before, and as the thermometer stood at 100 degrees in the shade most of the day, their office was no sinecure; they had at first some difficulty in getting a sufficient heat, but after a little experimenting found a wood of great value in that particular. This was the apple-gum, by using which, they could if necessary get a white heat in the iron. At the end of the third day the last horse was shod, and it only remained to get the stores and gear together, and dispose them on the different packs. This was done on the 10th, on the evening of which they were ready for the final start. The party was thus composed: Frank Lacelles Jardine, Leader; Alexander Jardine, Archibald J. Richardson, Government Surveyor; C. Scrutton, R. N. Binney, A. Cowderoy, Eulah, Peter, Sambo and Barney, black boys from the districts of Rockhampton and Wide Bay; 41 picked horses and 1 mule, all in good order and condition.

Their provision was calculated to last them 4 months, and was distributed together with the tools, amunition, and camp necessaries on 18 packs, averaging at the start about 150 lbs. each. It consisted of 1200 lbs. flour, 3 cwt. sugar, 35 lbs. of tea, 40 lbs. currants and raisins, 20 lbs. peas, 20 lbs. jams, salt, etc. The black troopers were armed with the ordinary double-barrelled police carbine, the whites carrying Terry's breech-loaders, and Tranter's revolvers. They had very ample occasion to test the value and efficiency of both these arms, which, in the hands of cool men, are invaluable in conflict.

The personalities of the party were reduced to a minimum, and what was supposed to be absolutely necessary, one pack (the mule's) being devoted to odds and ends, or what are termed in bush parlance, 'manavlins'. Three light tents only were carried, more for protecting the stores than for shelter for the party.

All were in excellent health, and good spirits, and eager to make a start.

CHAPTER II.

Start from Carpentaria Downs - Order of Travel - Canal Creek - Cawana Swamp - Simons' Gap - Cowderoy's Bluff - Barney's Nob - Casualties in Parallel Creek - Basaltic Wall - Singular Fish - Black Carbonado - Improvement in Country - Search for the Lynd - Doubts - First rain - Error of Starting point - Large ant-hills - Ship's iron found - Native nets - Second start in search of Lynd - Return - Byerley Creek - The whole party moves forward - Belle Creek - Maroon Creek - Cockburn Creek - Short Commons - Camp Burned - The Powder saved - Maramie Creek - The Staaten - First hostility of Natives - Poison - "Marion" abandoned - Conclusion as to River - Heavy rain - First attack of Natives - Horses lost - Barren Country - Detention - Leader attacked by Natives - Black-boy attacked - A "growl" - Mosquitoes and flies - Kites - Cattle missing - Horses found - Leader again attacked - Main party attacked - Return to the River - Character of Staaten - Lagoon Creek - Tea-tree levels - Junction of Maramie Creek - Reach head of tide - Confirmation of opinion.

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