192 NORTHMOST AUSTRALIA 



Here Leichhardt determined to LEAVE THE MITCHELL, which 

 was carrying him too far north, his intention being to round the 

 southern end of the Gulf. 



26th June. Seven miles almost due west, passing a number of 

 fine long reedy water-holes. The CAMP, in lat. 15 52' 38" S., 

 was on LONDON CREEK, and on the road which now connects 

 DUNBAR and KALKA stations. 1 



2jth June. Eight miles WSW. to a CAMP on a lagoon parallel to 

 a dry creek, " which," says Leichhardt, " must belong to the Nassau, 

 as its latitude was 15 55' 8V This is the water-course which, as 

 has already been pointed out, ought to be called DUNBAR CREEK. 



The smoke of NATIVES' FIRES was seen on the plains in every 

 direction, and in all probability the fires were gathering signals. 



After the party had arrived in camp, Leichhardt relates that 

 " whilst Charley and Brown were in search of game, they observed 

 a NATIVE sneaking up to our bullocks, evidently with the intention 

 of driving them towards a party of his black companions, who, 

 with POISED SPEARS, were waiting to receive them. Upon detecting 

 this manoeuvre, Charley and his companion hurried forward to 

 prevent their being driven away, when the natives gave the alarm, 

 and all took to their heels, with the exception of a lame fellow, who 

 endeavoured to persuade his friends to stand fight. Charley, 

 however, fired his gun, which had the intended effect of frightening 

 them, for they deserted their camp, which was 300 yards from ours, 

 in a great hurry, leaving, among other articles, a small net full of 

 potatoes [yams ?] which Charley afterwards picked up. The gins 

 had previously retired ; a proof that mischief was intended." 



2%th June. Crossing DUNBAR CREEK (which Leichhardt 

 erroneously believed to be the Nassau), the party travelled 9 miles 

 west, over " a most beautifully varied country, of plains, of forest 

 land, and chains of lagoons. The camp was on a chain of shallow 

 lagoons, connected by a hollow." 



THE DELTA OF THE MITCHELL 

 (SEE MAPS H AND F.) 



It is convenient, in this place, to conclude the description of 

 the Lower Mitchell, as it is now known. 



It has already been pointed out how Leichhardt, in 1845, 

 followed down the river which he had named the Mitchell, while 

 it was still a distinct watercourse and ran in its own valley, and 

 how, having entered on the delta, he ran down Dunbar Creek, one 

 of the mouths of the Mitchell, which (following Flinders) he 

 erroneously identified with Carstenszoon's Nassau Revier. The 

 error has since been confirmed by long usage, and DUNBAR CREEK, 

 dejure, has become the NASSAU RIVER, de facto. 



1 Assuming the correctness of the modern map, Leichhardt's positions from 2oth to 

 25th June are all about 4 miles too far south. 



