5i8 NORTHMOST AUSTRALIA 



our heads. The first man we met was a carrier named DONALD 

 MACKENZIE, who was driving a small mob of horses. MacKenzie 

 afterwards took up LAKEFIELD STATION, on what the maps call 

 STATION CREEK, which is what HANN had already named the 

 WARNER RIVER. MacKenzie was subsequently MURDERED BY BLACKS 

 in his garden at the station. 



About midday, we arrived at the LAURA NATIVE POLICE STATION, 

 where MR. HUGH FITZGERALD, Sub-Inspector, overwhelmed us 

 with his hospitality. He remarked that luncheon (breakfast, as 

 far as we were concerned) was just ready to be served up, but that 

 if we hurried there might be time for a bath. My response to the 

 hint shows to what depths of unconventionality civilised man may 

 be reduced by a course of savage living combined with a healthy 

 appetite. It was to the effect that although I was ragged and 

 dirty, I didn't mind, if he didn't, but I was also hungry and hunger 

 hurt ; that, in my opinion, cleanliness would be mere foppery in 

 the circumstances and that, with his permission, I would eat 

 first and wash and clothe myself afterwards. And so it was. 



At the LAURA TELEGRAPH STATION, I got into communication 

 with the Mines Department. After visiting the coal area, the 

 party reached COOKTOWN ON yd, October, 1879. 



