THE RETURN JOURNEY 409 



Having crossed the WALSH about a mile south-east of the 

 camp of $th November, the travellers immediately got among 

 scrubby SANDSTONE HILLS, which they cleared in 6 miles. They 

 apparently travelled southward, east of MULDOON CREEK and west 

 of the ARBOUIN COPPER MINES. 



As soon as they got clear of the sandstone hills, the party followed 

 MULDOON CREEK to its head, and 22i miles from Camp 82, camped 

 at sunset on the DIVIDE between the Walsh and the Tate. (SEE 

 MAP K.) At CAMP 83 there was no water. The TELEGRAPH LINE 

 and road from the Walsh to the Tate now follow Hann's track of 

 this day. 



On 6fh November, Hann continued his journey to the south- 

 east and struck the TATE RIVER in 8 miles. He then followed 

 the right bank, on the same course, for 2 miles, and, at what is 

 now the TATE RIVER TELEGRAPH STATION, crossed to the left 

 bank and camped on " splendid feed for the horses." CAMP 84. 



The windings of a tributary of the Tate were followed up for 

 II miles to the south-east on 'jth November. The actual 

 distance gained to the south-east appears to have been about 

 6 miles, but something must be allowed for the windings and also 

 for the " fatigue " correction. There was " fine grass for the 

 horses " at CAMP 85. Hann was of opinion that the country 

 traversed was " most promising-looking for gold," in fact, " the 

 best-looking country seen by us yet." So far as I am aware, no 

 gold has yet been discovered on Hann's actual route (Camp 84-85), 

 but it is interesting to note that the FISCHERTON mining camp, the 

 centre of the TATE RIVER MINERAL FIELD, is only a few miles to 

 the east. LODE TIN and WOLFRAM are worked in this neighbourhood. 



Five miles south-east of Camp 85, a hill, which was named 

 MOUNT McDEViTT, was left on the right on 8th November. The 

 course was then altered to south by east, the first 3 miles 

 being over granite ridges. Three miles more over flat sandy country 

 brought the party to " a shallow creek," probably PANDANUS CREEK, 

 where CAMP 86 was pitched. Heavy rain fell during the night. 



On qtb November, the right bank of the LYND RIVER was reached 

 in 6 miles. Two miles further east, the river was crossed, and the 

 outward track was followed for 6 miles to the south-east up the 

 left bank of FOSSIL BROOK. CAMP 87 was about 3 miles south- 

 east of Camp 2. 



The modern TELEGRAPH LINE practically follows Hann's route 

 from Camp 78 to Camp 87. 



On loth November, the left bank of FOSSIL BROOK was followed 

 for 12 miles to SSE., and SPRINGFIELD, " a lambing station of 

 Firth's," was reached, and for the first time for four and a half 

 months the travellers greeted white men. This station, which 

 may be called CAMP 88, is only 5 miles down the brook from 

 FOSSILBROOK STATION, the starting-point of 26th June. 



