Page:Tracks of McKinlay and party across Australia.djvu/123

 sheep came in the morning early, and shortly after Mr. McKinlay came in with the bullocks, minus one, who went mad and rushed at Peter, a native, and had it not been for the canteen on his back, his doom was sealed. We were obliged to leave the bullock in the desert, but whether he ever returned to the settled districts or no, remains in obscurity. After the bullocks had refreshed themselves with a good long drink and plenty to eat, they, with Bell and Peter, returned to join the cart, which they came up with early the following morning.

28th. We had filled the mussocks ready for a start at daylight, and the four camels laden with water started at 5, Middleton and Hodgkinson in charge. They delivered their loads, and intended returning again, but unfortunately lost the tracks; and, after wandering about for two days, became so much exhausted, and the weather so frightfully hot, not having had a taste of water during that time, that death seemed inevitable. They took some loads off the camels which they had taken from the cart to lighten the beasts, and lashed themselves on their backs, which eventually turned out to be the means of saving their lives; for when these animals found themselves free, they immediately turned their tails southward, and after travelling all night our two companions' eyes were greeted with the sight