Page:Tracks of McKinlay and party across Australia.djvu/108

 28th. A long day's stage to-day, and after a bad night very trying for all. Nothing of importance occurred to-day, but everything " went merry as the marriage bell."

29th. Start this morning after a good night. And here a new hand in the shape of a native joined the expedition; Frank by name, and not a bad sort of fellow; speaks English well and rides well. He will be of great use. Here at Wirrandery the hostess was very kind to one or two who were in early—tea and cakes, with the invariable damper and mutton of every Australian sheep-station, being the order of the day.

30th. Left here for a very pretty place called Willow Creek. The camp was really picturesque. Did not arrive here till late, and off again very early in the morning. There are some copper mines here, and report speaks well of them. And here another black fellow was added to the store; one of the roughest specimens of the genus homo you would see in a day's march, even in Australia; hair long and matted. The miners had rigged him out with some old clothes much too large for him, and a wild-looking specimen "Jack" presented. The good people at Wirrandery call it eleven miles to Willow Creek; it is twenty-three good English miles, as all tried the distance when in camp. Supper as usual, al fresco.

31st. Left Willow Creek early in the morning