BY HON. A. NORTON. 19 



they left their jaded horses and their saddles near the river, 

 and themselves swam across to their companions. 

 Another horse had died during their absence. 



Two days they now spent in camp and a beast was 

 killed and the meat jerked ; only 10] bs. flour remained, 

 and this was kept in case of an emergency. The 4 horses, 

 saddles, and swags were brought across the river, and the 

 cattle mustered for their next start, which took place on 

 the morning of 14th February, a weary journey of 11 miles. 

 Another horse had to be left after he was dragged out of 

 a bog. On the following day they crossed the Eliot, and 

 altogether made 10 miles, having had to carry their saddles 

 over on their heads as usual. From this point they continued 

 with much difficulty from flooded streams, bogs, etc., to 

 follow down the river, uncertain whether or not it would 

 bend round into the Escape ; but on 21st February, from 

 a high tree Alick was able to trace it to the sea on the Gulf 

 side of the Peninsula. By Sir George Bo wen's request^ 

 later on, this streaai was named the Jardine River. This 

 geographical discovery, however, necessitated a retracing 

 of their steps, and at night they camped 6 miles up the river. 

 They rested on the following day, and killed and jerked 

 a beast ; again, on account of the heavy rain, they had 

 to construct a raft. On 24th February, the horses and 

 packs were put across the river, and leaving the cattle 

 with the rest of the party, the brothers with Eulah camped 

 on the northern side preparatory to starting once more 

 in search of the settlement. More trouble awaited them, 

 for at 2 miles from their camping place an immense sheet 

 of water, the overflow from a heavily flooded creek, blocked 

 their way, and it was not until after two days that it had 

 run down enough to enable them to cross, even by swimming. 

 The horses they swam with the saddles on their backs, 

 but the rations they slid along a rope which was fixed some 

 feet above the ground to a tree on one side of the creek 

 and to the butt of another on the opposite side. In the 

 evening while Alick was cooking some jerked beef for 

 supper (they usually eat it raw), Frank and Eulah climbed 

 a high tree on a small hill, and from this they were able 

 to pick out Newcastle Bay, and were moreover satisfied 

 that they had headed the Escape River. At last they were 



