Nov. 10, 1856.] NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 189 



As the horses I had employed on the excui'sion into the interior 

 required a few days' rest, I selected six from those at the depot, and 

 on the 2nd April, accompanied by Mr. H. Gregory, Mr. Baines, and 

 John Fahey, proceeded to the eastward to examine the country in 

 that direction. Traversing for 60 miles a splendid grassy country 

 of trap formation, well watered by numerous creeks, we reached the 

 eastern boundary of the valley of the Victoria, then turning north- 

 wards traced the river down to 16° 26', and connected this route with 

 that in December, 1855. Ee turning to the dep6t by a more direct 

 route, we reached that camp on the 17th. 



On the 21st, I broke up the depot camp and proceeded towards 

 the lower part of the Victoria river, examining such portions of the 

 right bank as had not been previously traversed, in order to ascer- 

 tain if any considerable tributaries joined from the eastward, and on 

 the 9th May reached the main camp. 



The party at the main camp were all in good health except Hemy 

 Eichards, who had lost the use of his right hand from falling down 

 among some sharp reeds, one of which had pierced his wrist. The 

 crew of the ' Tom Tough ' had not escaped so well. The carpenter, 

 John Finlay, had died on the 22nd April, and three of the seamen 

 had been left on shore at the camp, that they might be under the 

 immediate medical care of Mr. Elsey, the schooner having been 

 moved down the river on the 2nd April. 



Although this great amount of sickness is, in some degree, attri- 

 butable to the re-development of previous disease, yet it more 

 directly results from the bad quality and improper description of 

 the provisions with which the vessel is supplied, and it has been 

 absolutely necessary to furnish provisions from the stores of the 

 Expedition for the use of the schooner's crew, their only remaining 

 provisions consisting of salt beef of indiiferent quality, biscuit much 

 damaged by cockroaches, and tea. 



The ' Tom Tough' was now moored below the shoals at Musquito 

 Flats, and had been so far repaired by the unceasing energy of 

 Captain Gourlay, that she was nearly ready for sea ; a strong frame 

 having been fixed inside the timbers, the seams caulked, and the 

 buts secured. She now only makes 10 inches water per diem, 

 whereas that was previously the usual quantity per hour. Great 

 credit is due to the captain for the manner in which this work has 

 been performed, having done all the smith's work and much of the 

 carpentry with his own hands. 



It is now my intention to proceed with the exploration of the 

 country towards the Gulf of Carpentaria, and I have accordingly 

 instructed the master of the ' Tom Tough ' to proceed to Coepang for 



