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[Page 4] 2
10 December 1846 The head I found lying at the stump of a large
tree of the Accacia Latigrifolia. the situation was a small opening
between two Miall scrubbs - the days journey was principally through
vitu, Miall & Brickalow scrubs - The Condamine at this time
much flooded we fortunately croßed 2 days prior to its
rising. Plants, Exxpedoition. We commenced our bush feast
this day with goat soup & goat flesh for breakfast our dinner
was a fat cake of 2 lb divided between the nine, supper tea & meat
only__________Omitted in yesterdays log _ our night watching
commenced by parties of two taking in turns of two hours and a
half each _ The Dr and Parry firs - taking the first 2nd Mr Turnbul[l] and
the Blackfella Wommi first Mr Hely and myself the 3rd
and Mr Mann & Boeking the 4th & last. The old man Brown
not being included he having to collect the cattle in the mornings
The latitude of our camping ground being 26_46_23
11. The first part of this days stage was in the direction of
N.W & by N - until reaching a large swamp in which some
of our loaded mules were stuck We then changed to
W. & by N - we camped about 20 minutes past 3 at Charlie's
creek on the bank of which I found a large the greater part
of the skeleton of [our horse?] - shortly after camping we
had a heavy thunder shower before getting our tents
rigged - The character of the Country pretty much the
same as yesterday. Killed a sheep (the first time)
The handle of one frying pan was unfortunately broken -
everything indicated our close proximity to the Blacks and at
half past Eleven being the Doctors watch the whole of
our cattle with the exception of 3 horses took fright and
bolted There is no doubt Blacks were prowling about.
Omitted on the 11th instant_ on communicating
the fact of my discovering the skull of the horse I was very im
pertinently interupted by Mr Turnbull who doubted whether I knew
the skull of a horse from that of a cow But on the Black fellow
/who also saw it/ saying that it was that of a horse. he was satisfied
I resented such contempt from so young a man but was much
surprised to find the Dr side with him _
12 This morning Mr Hely and Brown were dispatched for the stray cattle
about noon a number of Blackfellows made their appearance
12. The Dr waved them off but gave them the handle
of the frying pan for which they appeared not to be very thankful
I was much struck with the similarity of their language to that
of Port Phillip - Mr Mann and myself went to them
a little boy caught hold of my hand and being a smart
piece of [?] exclaimed Whacca By God. I give a few of their
words with those of Port Phillip - foot Gienong. Head Coony
Hand[ Myrthony?] - Eyes Myrruy - Mouth [Worouy?].
Nose _ [Ilong?] _ fire wee? - these are precisely the same as
at P.P. This day the glass at 2 oClock was 104 - Latitude
26 - 44 - our ?? friends were very generous offering
the Dr the services of a gin which offer was refused with a ??
of virtuous indignation. The same offer was also made to Mr
Mann and my self we of course politely refused to accept
of it. In the evening Gr Turnball and Wommi returned
after an unsuccessful search for the cattle. They tracked
them to a scrub - They observed that 2 black fellows have
followed our track - dressed the sheep and goats which
had the foot i[t]ch - Mr Hely and Brown next returned
13 Sunday/ Early this morning Turnball and Wommi again
sent after the cattle with instructions to follow up the track
left yesterday - thermometer at Noon in the shade 98. [??
??] of Pumpkin. Melons 2 kinds. Vegetable Marrows.