15th October.
An early start enabled us to accomplish the remaining six miles to the
Harding by 8.30, where we halted for the remainder of the day, as it was
not unlikely that we might have to travel the remaining thirty miles into
the bay without finding any more water. As we had now only four days'
rations left, and it was uncertain, in the present low condition of our
horses, how long it might take us to reach the ship, the sportsmen of the
party made the best use of the halt to procure game, while I proceeded to
convert some more of the empty meat-tins into water-canisters, increasing
our means for the transport of water to eighteen gallons, with which we
had a fair prospect of getting in all the horses, even though no more
should be found on the route. Our camp was enlivened this evening by the
continued screeching of a number of large bats, which kept up a vigorous
fight in the trees overhead the greater part of the night,
notwithstanding our shooting ten or twelve of them. They were very fat,
but emitted such an intolerable odour that it would require even an
explorer to be hard pressed before he could make a supper of them, either
roasted or boiled.
16th October.
This morning set in intensely hot, by noon the thermometer standing at
107 degrees in the shade, and at 3 p.m., when placed on a sandbank in the
sun, rose to 178 of Fahrenheit; on the setting in of the westerly breeze
it, however, fell at once to 96 degrees, and by 4.30 p.m. we were enabled
to resume our route without feeling in any way inconvenienced by the
temperature. We did not now attempt to pass through the rocky ranges so
far to the eastward as on our outward route, but kept more to the
westward along the open grassy valley, until opposite the narrowest part
of the range, when, turning sharp to the north, we very quickly passed
over the rocky portion of the hills, only encountering a few miles of
extra rampant triodia, which was anything but pleasant to walk through,
especially leading the party after dark. Following down a small
watercourse for several miles, it at length joined the Nickol River, in
which we shortly after found a small quantity of water in the bottom of
what had been a pool, but which towards the close of the dry season
sometimes goes dry; here we halted for a few hours to rest. Camp 101.