Page:Tracks of McKinlay and party across Australia.djvu/122

 large water-holes in it at 5·30 The horses were nowhere to be seen, which is very annoying. They had mistaken the creek that Mr. McKinlay intended camping at, and continued travelling until nightfall, when they came to a halt, and had some difficulty in unpacking one or two of the horses, and the night dark. Start and arrive at Mr. Baker's out-station, Toonkitchen. Mr. McKinlay with the camels, arrived also about 4, the cart at nightfall.

26th. On the following morning two horses got into a deep creek and hobbled they were at the time; got them out however, and packed and proceeded to the last hut in the settled districts, Manawankanina, distance about sixteen miles.

27th. Made an early start across the Fifty Miles' Desert, and there certainly could not have been found a more appropriate name. We travelled twenty-five miles the first day. Each man one quart of water, which we had in leather bags and tin canteens on the camels and horses, the remainder we buried for the bullocks when they came up next morning. Our leader remained behind with the bullocks, their driver, and two blacks. Had to watch the horses all night, or they would certainly have rambled in search of water. When at length they did see it, in they went, packs and all, and we were all parched with thirst travelling over nothing but hot sand. The