326 NORTHMOST AUSTRALIA 



follows its left bank to N. 10 W., and it falls into the left bank of 

 the Jardine River in 11 9' S. According to the modern 4- mile 

 map, the junction of the Eliot with the Jardine is about 16 miles 

 a little north of west of Camp 82. After wading across the Eliot, 

 their saddles and packs on their heads^ and the water up to their 

 necks, the explorers FOLLOWED THE JARDINE for 14 miles 

 further, until they were satisfied that the Jardine River must 

 shortly fall into the Gulf, and could not by any possibility be the 

 Escape. Rain was falling for the greater part of the three days 

 they were out. 



On their return to CAMP 82, the Brothers found an unac- 

 countable DEFICIENCY of 30 lb. in the now very scanty supply of 

 FLOUR. Byerley, who records the incident with hearty disgust, 

 remarks that similar instances of non-communal meanness had 

 blotted the records of the followers of Burke and Wills and of 

 Kennedy. 



It was now determined that the Brothers should CROSS THE 

 JARDINE RIVER and make another attempt to reach Somerset or the 

 mouth of the real ESCAPE RIVER. The RAIN being almost con- 

 tinuous, the Jardine was still high and the 3rd and 4th February 

 were consumed in experiments to find a practicable crossing. All 

 their labour had only resulted in their finding themselves hopelessly 

 on the WRONG SIDE of a RIVER which was NOT THE ESCAPE, whatever 

 it was. 



A raft was constructed by stretching a hide over a framework of 

 dead nondah, the only timber light enough for the purpose and 

 it was scarce. On this the saddles^ rations, etc., were floated across 

 the Jardine on $th February. Byerley's account of the passage is 

 as follows : 



" The river having sunk considerably during the night, the crossing was commenced 

 this morning, despite the downpour of RAIN, which lasted all day without a break. 

 The stream was 130 yards wide, the banks fringed with scrub and the current still 

 running rapidly. It required, therefore, strong and expert swimmers to get the 

 horses across, the method being as follows : One of the party went in first, with a 

 line made fast to the bit of the horse's bridle, and another followed, holding on by 

 his tail by way of rudder. Now as a horse can swim faster than a man, and is, of 

 course, heavier in the water, the leader has no easy task, even if his horse swim honestly 

 for the opposite bank, but should he turn or boggle at all, man and line are alike 

 powerless ; the use of the rudder, therefore, will be seen. When the leader reaches 

 the opposite bank, he has to scramble up nimbly, or he may have the horse on him, 

 and, arrived there, be in readiness with the line to assist him should he get entangled 

 in the saplings and vines which fringe the banks. It will be remembered that in 

 crossing the Batavia [NIMROD CREEK. R. L. J.] on the nth January, two horses 

 were drowned, in spite of every care and precaution. Here, however, they were 

 fortunate enough to cross their four horses without accident, Mr. Scrutton, old 

 Eulah and the black boys doing good service, being all excellent swimmers. The 

 saddles and rations were then floated over in the raft, and the advance party (THE 

 BROTHERS and EULAH) CAMPED ON THE NORTH SIDE, leaving the remainder of the party 

 and cattle in charge of Mr. Scrutton." 



