28.38; thermometer 57 degrees; at 5 p.m., barometer 28.30; thermometer 77 degrees.
7th.
Started this morning, in company with Mr.Hamersley and Jemmy, to explore the country to the northward, where we had seen a peaked hill.

Went in that direction about thirty miles, the first twenty of which were studded with granite rocks, with fine feed around them.

At twenty-seven miles crossed a salt marsh, about one mile wide, and, continuing three miles farther, reached the peaked hill, which was composed of granite, capped with immense blocks, giving it a very remarkable appearance.

Bivouacked on North-West side of hill, at a small water-hole.
8th.
This morning, after saddling up, we ascended the conical hill (which I named Mount Holmes) and took a round of angles from it, after which we struck North 81 degrees East magnetic to a granite range about eight miles distant, where we found two fine water-holes, and rested an hour.
Thence in about a South-South-East direction for twelve miles, we bivouacked without water on a small patch of feed.

The day was very fine, and the rainy appearance cleared off, much to our grief.
9th.
At daybreak, no sound of horses' bells, and anticipating they had made off in search of water, we put our saddles, guns, and rugs on our backs, and started on their tracks.