8 
appears quite level, and consists of sand, spinifex, and low scrub. A few very small grassy flats are to be seen 
around the bases of the last two hills, otherwise the country is nothing but a hideous desert. Again altered 
our bearing to west ; at about three miles we crossed a wide sandy creek, which I have named the Hay 
River, after Adam Hay, Esq , of Palparara Station, Queensland. Camped on the western side of the creek. 
Sent one man down the creek to examine some native wells ; he returned after sundown and reported having 
found plenty of water in them. Observed for latitude and prepared for an early start in the morning. 
Wednesday, 19th. — As usual, when I am desirous of making an early start, some unthought of incident 
is sure to occur to cause delay ; in this instance the camels were not found until late, and I did not get a start 
until 6 a.m. I only took one man and two camels with me, my object being to form a connection with my 
previous explorations. I cannot in any case move camp for a few days on account of the black boy’s iilness ; 
he is almost dead, and one more day’s jolting on a camel would finish him at once. Our course was almost 
due north, along the western side of the Hay River. At two miles we crossed the creek and continued over 
red sandy country covered with spinifex and low mallee bushes ; at about seven miles we ascended a low 
stony hill ; from here we obtained an extensive view all round. Detached table-top hills, many apparently of 
some elevation, are visible to the north and east. The Tarlton Range (of my previous exploration) bears about 
N.N.E. from here, and is only about eleven miles distant. Far away to the westward a high mountain is 
visible above some low table-top hills ; this mount is near the Jervois Range, and presents a magnificent sight 
even at this distance, reaching apparently to the clouds. I have named it Mount Cornish, after Mr. H. 
Cornish, the surveyor and explorer. The country in this direction, and to the south-west and south, appears 
to be a perfectly level scrub, which extends to the horizon. I now altered the course to N.W. by X., towards 
some low peaked hills on the south-western end of the Tarlton Range. After travelling across spinifex 
country for thirteen miles, we ascended the most northern peak, which proved to be very steep and rugged. 
The Tarlton Range, a high scrubby tableland, shuts out the view to the eastward ; towards the south and 
westward the Hay and Marshall Rivers (of my previous explorations) are easily traced; they form a junction 
a few miles S.W. from this hill; but the most conspicuous feature is the Jervois Range to the N.W. ; it is 
visible for a long distance. To the westward and to the northward it terminates abruptly near a high 
mountain — the Central Mount Hawker of my former explorations. This mountain is exactly in the centre of 
all Australia, a spot which many explorers have vainly tried to discover, and which l have but too much 
reason to remember. It was here, in 1881, that I almost perished from thirst, and lost several valuable horses, 
which comnelled me to walk over 300 miles through desert dry country, without any boots to protect my feet 
against the innumerable burs and spinifex grass which covers the whole of this country. I was suffering, 
moreover, at the time, from scurvy and rheumatic fever. The MacDonnell Ranges are far too distant to be 
visible from here at this time of the day. I continued to travel on the same course — that is, N.W. by N. — 
towards another peaked or pointed hill. The country now changes into beautiful grass (Mitchell) and salt- 
bush flats, nicely timbered with gidea and box timber. At about six miles we reached the hills, which turn 
out to be long narrow ridges capped with granite. The Tarlton Range now takes a sweep towards the east- 
ward; it is here covered with fine Mitchell grass and clumps of gidea. Again altered bearing to north ; at 
about three miles we passed to the westward of two very peculiar white hills, peaks, or pillars, which are 
situated on the top of a spur in the range. These hills, when viewed from a distance, have the appearance 
of white pillars; they are crowned by perpendicular Kaoline rocks. During my previous explorations I 
named them Goyder’s Pillars, after G. W. Goyder, Esq., the Surveyor-General of South Australia. At about 
six miles altered our course to S.S.E.., towards the range, which consist of nice grassy slopes. At five miles 
we arrived at the top of the range, and again changed our course to S.E., down a rocky gorge, densely 
timbered withmulga, gum, gidea, and other low bushes, through which we forced our way with great difficulty. 
At two miles we left the range behind us and entered an openly-timbered country, which is beautifully 
grassed. At three miles we camped amongst a clump of gidea timber ; our stage to day has been a little 
over forty miles, to accomplish which we were compelled to keep our camels at a constant jog, which has 
nearly shaken us to pieces. 
Thursday, 20th. — We started to look for the camels long before 4 a.m., but eventually had to wait for 
daylight in order to be able to track them, which turned out to be a most difficult proceeding ; the brutes 
seem to have made off as soon as they were turned out last night, never stopping an instant to feed. After 
walking twenty-six miles we found them, and also ascertained the fact that we had no more water ; we 
therefore lost no time, but packed up and started straight back for the main camp, which is some twenty-eight 
miles distant ; we passed over some very rough hills, which, however, were well grassed. At ten miles we 
entered the sand and spinifex, and soon afterwards surprised two aboriginals, a lame man, who was walking 
with the assistance of two spears, and a boy ; the latter was half dead with fear, and unable to articulate a 
word ; the former, however, behaved in a most curious manner. I found him lying flat on the ground, and dis- 
mounting close to him, turned round to look at the boy ; on again turning towards my camel, I found he had 
taken possession of my seat ; he seemed quite at home in the saddle, and when I approached he only shifted 
on to the front seat ; he seemed determined to have a ride. I was, however, compelled to request him, by 
gestures, to dismount, which he perfectly comprehended ; we left him hobbling away towards the creek. 
After proceeding two miles further, my camel. Rhesus, a cranky brute, lay down and refused to get up again ; 
he became very furious, tearing the saddle and packbags into shreds with his teeth, in his endeavors to seize 
my legs. After trying all the usual methods, such as lighting a fire under his tail, kc., we at last dragged 
him along with the aid of our other camel ; only one more mishap occurred. Before we arrived at the camp, 
whilst crossing the Hay River, my camel again threw himself against the bank of the creek with great violence. 
We finally reached camp about 930 p.m., thoroughly knocked up, having been without food and water the 
whole day-. I found everything at the camp all right, and the black boy much improved, which pleased me 
most. A few niggers have been prowling around the camp during the day, but they did not venture to 
annoy us. 
Friday, 21st. — Started at 6 a.m., and moved the camp down the creek as far as the native wells, which 
on being dug out were almost dry ; we then sank trial wells for several miles down the creek without 
obtaining any water ; this is the result of my placing any confidence in the men’s reports. I purposely sent a 
man to examine these wells, and he reported them to contain plenty of water, which induced me to map the 
country without looking for water during my last trip. At 2 p.m. I sent the camels, together with the two 
men and black boy, up the creek, remaining behind myself to take care of the camp and rations. Several 
natives made their appearance near the camp about 4 p.m. ; they however ran away as soon as they found 
themselves observed. I obtained a few gallons of water out of the well in the creek during the afternoon 
and 
