Page:Tracks of McKinlay and party across Australia.djvu/106

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TRACKS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

glad enough to turn in again this time, and with more success, as no accident occurred any more that night.

Up early and two or three sent after the missing camel. He was found some eight or ten miles on the road, going quietly along in his hobbles. He was soon caught and brought back. This little freak of (Mr. Cassim) the camel detained us here all day, as he did not arrive at the camp till nearly 4 p.m.

25th. Off in the morning on the road for Maranaric, and camped without tents. The cart, as usual, not up to-night. One of the fellows with a native black went after the camels, just to see where they were, as it was rather scrubby, when the wicked one (Siva) rushed at the two men and made them go for their lives, scrambling over logs and stumps and stones, much to the enjoyment of those in camp, who were watching their eccentric movements. Here it was necessary to walk about four miles to the station for supper—pleasant that after the day's work.

26th. Camels this morning not to be found, the horses and cart proceed without them to the camp at Lower Pekuna, a very nice one, there being an old shepherd's hut close by with a good well of water. Turned off the road some way to camp here on account of the water. Began forth