228 WILSON ON THE NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. [Dec. 8, 1856. 



■under my cliarge to the camp. On the day after my arrival at the 

 camp, I was appointed to superintend the arrangement of the stores, 

 and to inspect and cooper the damaged provisions. 



After an nnsnccessful endeavour to pursue the ascent of the river 

 in boats, on the 24th of November, the Messrs. Gregory, Dr. Miiller, 

 and myself, with four riding horses and three with packs, left the 

 camp on a preliminary journey, taking provisions for three weeks. 

 We proceeded along the river to Timber Creek (so called from 

 having found timber there to repair the schooner), and travelled 

 along the creek upward, the course being generally south. The 

 first 7 or 8 miles was through a beautiful valley, principally of a 

 rich alluvial soil, covered with a dense growth of long grass and 

 thinly timbered. The sandstone hills, rising abruptly on each side, 

 were, in many places, picturesque. In the npper part of the valley 

 cherty limestone rocks came to the surface in a broken state, which 

 rendered travelling very difficult for the horses; 18 miles up this 

 creek brought us to a dividing ridge 500 feet above the level of the 

 sea. We were disappointed at not being able to see a range of hills 

 southward. A range to the eastward rose high and distinctly, and 

 seemed to strike toward the river. We travelled eastward, down a 

 creek, until we found water, then struck oif, in a N.E. course, along 

 Beagle Valley and parallel with the range, which we supposed to be 

 Fitzroy Eange, until we came to the river at Emu Plains. There was 

 abundance of grass, and the greater portion of the soil in the valley 

 was excellent. From the last point we took an easterly course, 

 leaving a range of hills between us and the river, which, however, 

 we struck again after five hours' travelling. The river continued 

 eastward for 7 miles more, and then turned to the S., all the way 

 passing along a narrow valley, enclosed between walls of sand- 

 stone, but, after being followed 20 miles southward, it opened into a 

 large plain. Being then on the W. side of the river, we were led 

 oif by a branch that came from the S.W. We followed it several 

 miles, and then struck off to a range of hills from which apparently 

 this river came. We ascended a hill at the eastern end of the 

 range. After taking a hasty glance at the country beyond, I took 

 advantage of the opportunity to examine the jasper rock forming 

 the top of the hill. While thus employed, Mr. Gregory drew my 

 attention to the ranges which struck off to the westward, and 

 seemed to enclose the plains at a distance between 20 and 30 

 miles. I had maintained an opinion that the stream we had lately 

 been tracing, was not the main body of the Victoria. Looking as 

 he now desired me, I said the Victoria was certainly cut off in that 

 direction ; but, turning to the eastward, I said it would be found 



