26 



two days when we have to make some more. After 

 this we have supper and a smoke, and then " to 

 rest." 



Our next camping place will be more interesting. 

 It is the self-same place where Leichardt's ill-fated 

 exploring party camped in the forties. This spot is 

 situate on the banks of the Burdekin River and is 

 fifteen miles from our last camp. There is a very large 

 gum tree here on which Leichardt cut his initial letter 

 L iuto the trunk. There is plenty of game and fish 

 here, also grass for the horses, so we camp here for 

 two da3\s to give the horses a rest. During this time 

 we have a bathe in the river and wash our clothes. 

 We have been sitting on the banks of the river, fish- 

 ing when the Platypus would slowly glide to the 

 surface and have a look at us. After its curiosity was 

 satisfied it would glide out of sight again. They are 

 very cautious and the least movement will cause them 

 to retire altogether. If not disturbed it will continually 

 put in an appearance. It is a curious animal, a sort of 

 small beaver with a duck's head. Its enemy is the 

 Eagle Hawk. This bird will wait for it to make an 

 appearance near the surface, and will then swoop down 

 and pick it out of the water and away with it. Whilst 

 we were at this spot we saw a pair of Bleeding Heart 

 Doves, but were not successful in catching any. It 

 was the first time we had seen them in Queensland. 

 We were under the impression that they were found 

 in New Guinea only, but as it is no great distance 

 across the Straits, there is no doubt they had flown 

 over. No doubt they do this occasionally. 



When the two days are up we start off again. 

 This goes on from day to day, and we are afraid it 



