304 NORTHMOST AUSTRALIA 



Sambo had been two days without food or water, and was DELIRIOUS, 

 but when sufficiently recovered to speak, he stated that he had 

 followed the mule's tracks to the back of Camp 35, when he was 

 obliged to return. 



On Stb December, ALICK JARDINE and SAMBO set out in the 

 direction of Camp 35. They found four of the five lost horses, one 

 of them, named " Lucifer," at Camp 35, quite mad (it was supposed 

 from drinking salt water.) 



On resuming the search next morning (9th December), Alick 

 and Sambo met Eulah and Barney, who had also seen the MAD HORSE. 

 Sambo and Barney were sent after the mule, and Alick and Eulah 

 came in sight of " Lucifer," but only succeeded in knocking up their 

 mounts in pursuit of him. They then returned to Camp 38, with 

 the recovered horses. 



In the meantime (Stb December), FRANK JARDINE had been out 

 1 8 miles to the north of Camp 38, hoping to find water on the 

 desired route, but without success, and the prospect of driving the 

 cattle over dry country was disheartening. On loth December, 

 Frank Jardine and Eulah rode westward from Camp 38 for 6 miles, 

 when they found themselves on extensive marine plains and downs. 

 After 19 miles more, mainly south (and probably over the site of 

 the modern cattle-station named MENTANA) they came on 

 " Lucifer's " track and found the place where he had been drinking 

 salt water and lying down. They followed the tracks for fifteen 

 miles and camped without water. 



From daylight on the following day (nth December), Frank and 

 Eulah followed the tracks, mostly on foot, leading their horses, and 

 were thus led, at sundown, to Camp 33, on the STATEN, dejacto. 

 Here, for the first time since they left Camp 38, they found water. 

 It was brackish, but it satisfied a two days' thirst. While they were 

 trying to catch something to eat, the elusive " Lucifer " was seen, 

 but he galloped away at once. Frank mounted his horse and, 

 heading the mad animal, drove him back to Eulah's horse, " but 

 to no purpose, for he galloped past without taking the least notice 

 of him, and as it was now dark they had to let him go." " Lucifer " 

 was again tracked next day (i2th) and was found at noon 13 miles 

 off. He was white with perspiration, and it was surmised that he 

 had galloped the whole distance. He was, besides, still quite mad, 

 and Frank made up his mind to leave him behind. The remaining 

 HORSE, " Deceiver," was found shortly afterwards DEAD, where- 

 upon the tired and hungry men made their way back to CAMP 38. 



" LUCIFER " and " DECEIVER," says Byerley, were the two best 

 riding horses, and the MULE the best pack-animal. His own loss 

 was aggravated by his carrying his pack with him. This carried 

 most of the odd ARTICLES that were hitherto DEEMED INDISPENSABLE, 

 but which henceforth they had perforce to dispense with. One 

 pack contained all that remained of the tea, currants and raisins 



