410 



we saw some natives attached to the station, but the 

 number of aboriginal graves, many of recent date, tells the 

 ultimate story only too plainly (pi. xxii., fig. 1). Contrary 

 to all expectations, we found it too cold to ride, and therefore 

 walked to keep up our circulation. On the 26th we met a 

 team of cow camels, each carrying two bales of wool, together 

 weighing 5 cwt. Many of the cows had calves running at 

 their side, all born en route. The bulls carry each up to 

 9 cwt. 



Though we generally followed the bed of the creek, it was 

 not always possible to define its course, but the presence of 

 low bushes and widely-spaced stunted trees were good indi- 

 cations. It is very rarely that Strzelecki Creek flows, for it 

 does not gather water until Cooper Creek rises 50 feet above 

 normal height, at which point it overflows. We expected to 

 replenish our water canteens at Delia Well, but on reaching 

 the site found the well had become a grave, and afterwards 

 learned that a man named Harry Bird had been engaged 

 repairing the structure when it gave way and entombed him 

 for ever. Innamincka was reached on September 28, and 

 here we remained until October 2, accepting the kind 

 hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Roland for portion of the time. 

 This gave one of the party an opportunity of recovering 

 from slight illness, and also permitted a visit to be made to 

 Burke's Tree, elsewhere referred to ; likewise to make acquaint- 

 ance with the aboriginals of the district, including King Billy 

 and several old and blind natives (pi. xxiv., fig. 1). The 

 Cooper (pi. xxv., figs. 1, 2), which we forded a second time, 

 is a fine river at Innamincka, but, as we afterwards found, 

 soon dwindles in volume owing to the vast areas it inundates 

 on its course. Our party was now augmented by the addition 

 of two horses and an old Coongie black, "Bullocky Jack" 

 (pi. xxiv., fig. 2), who acted as guide between Innamincka and 

 Kanowana ; but having previously traversed the locality only 

 in dry seasons, he lost his bearings among the bewildering 

 swamps and sandhills, and we had to resort to the compass 

 for general direction. The course of the creek could be 

 detected for miles owing to the magnificent timber along its 

 banks. A remarkable feature was presented by the multi- 

 tudes of White Cockatoos (Cacatua gymnopis) in the trees, 

 appearing like so many tiny white flowers scattered through the 

 dark-green foliage. This belt of large timber is confined to 

 the actual banks of the creek (pi. xxv., fig. 1), beyond which 

 it becomes stunted, and a hundred yards from the water the 

 open desert is again encountered. A thunderstorm, accom- 

 panied with rain, was responsible for some delay on the 3rd. 

 Leaving the tortuous creek we next essayed the sandhills, and 



