Page:Papers of William Shakespeare Hall, 1861–1895.pdf/39

 recruit the horses; as we had no certainty of the water; for the 30 miles to the Bay. Numbers of large bats or vampires were flying about 130 of them.

OCTOBER 16.

10 miles on old track, started at 4 p.m. & came to a halt at 8.30 on small branch of Nicol River, with a little water in it; the last to the Bay. I lost my blanket & clothes, in passing through some of the thickets; went back, & tracked for some miles, by moonlight without success. Returned at 12 & had 30 mins watch & 30 mins sleep; & then started again.

OCTOBER 17.

(About 26 miles) Started at 2 a.m. with a fine noon to light us - at 7 a.m. sighted "Dolphin", breakfast at 8 & watered horses (which we carried with us) & arrived in old camp in at 1 p.m. Very very thankful to find all right; & the old ship safe: in my opinion the conclusion of an expedition is the best part of it. -

OCTOBER 18.

In camp. -

OCTOBER 19.

Same. Mr. Gregory started in life boat to Cape Lambert at 4 a.m.

OCTOBER 20.

In camp.

OCTOBER 21.

Same - Party returned from Cape Lambert; & moved ship.