June 22, 1857.] GREGORY'S NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 493 



hy a small creek from the S., forming a fine reach of water, which 

 we recognized as the Albert Eiver of Captain Stokes, and Beam 

 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 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 inspection showed that it was not the work of any individual 

 belonging to the expedition. 



22. The following was the inscription, which, cut in large charac- 

 ters, extended round the tree : — 



CHUMMLUT + 

 ORE 

 ECH TO 



1856. 



t 



- 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 subject of the visit. 



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

 and instnictions for finding a tin canister containing memoranda, 

 which was buried near the tree, I moved the party down to the 

 right bank of the river, half a mile lower down, with the intention 

 of proceeding downwards to the entrance of the Albert ; but finding 

 the water salt, I marked a second tree, and buried a tin with a memo- 

 randum 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 circum- 

 stances, to await the arrival of the vessel. 



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

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

 brown clay loam. Two days' journey S.E. brought us to a river 100 

 yards wide, in detached pools. (Latitude IS"" 12', longitude 139^ 

 55'.) This river was mistaken for the Albert by Dr. Leichhardt, and 

 I therefore 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 after retired. 

 On the following morning about twenty came up to us, well armed, 

 and, while we were crossing a deep ravine, made a rush forward to 



