THE NORTH-AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 235 



we recognized as the Albert Eiver of Captain Stokes, and Beams' Brook 



of Dr. Leichhardt. 



21. As the junction of these two branches of the Albert had been 

 appointed as the rendezvous of the two sections of the Expedition, it 

 was with some anxiety that we approached the spot, though our journey 

 from the Victoria had been so rapid that I could scarcely hope to find 

 Mr. Baines had arrived before us. Our hopes were raised almost to 

 certainty, when in the distance a tree, with an inscription recently cut 

 in the bark, was seen in the exact place appointed, but a closer inspec- 

 tion showed that it was not the work of any individual belonging to 

 the Expedition. 



CHUMMLUT + 



22. The following was the inscription which, cut in /ft ore 



large characters, extended round the tree : — I RCH T0 



looo 



23. The remains of a large fire, the names of some of the boat's 

 crew, and the word "Torch," were cut and scratched on the small 

 trees and stumps around, but nothing to guide us in the search for any 

 papers which would throw light on the object of the visit. 



24. Having marked a tree with the date, initials of the Expedition, 

 and instructions for finding a tin canister containing memoranda, which 

 was buried near the tree, I moved the party to the right bank of the 

 river, half a mile lower down, with the intention of proceeding down- 

 wards to the entrance of the Albert, but finding the water salt, I marked 

 a second tree, and buried a tin with a memorandum of the proceedings 

 of the Expedition, prospective movements, and instructions for the 

 guidance of Mr. Baines, should he arrive after our departure, as it was 

 not prudent, under existing circumstances, to await the arrival of the 



vessel 



25. On the 3rd of September, left the Albert River, and traversed a 

 level open country, thinly clothed with indifferent grass, the soil a 

 brown clay loam. Two days' journey south-east brought us to a river 

 a hundred yards wide, in detached pools (bit. 18° 12', long. 139 55 ). 

 This river was mistaken for the Albert by Dr. Leichhardt, and I there- 

 fore named it after that enterprising explorer. 



26. Soon after we encamped, a small party of natives approached, 

 and assumed a somewhat threatening tone, but shortly reUred On 

 the following morning about twenty came up to ns, well armed, and, 



