At last King accidentally found it, and by its aid they managed to prolong their lives.

But the seeds had to be gathered, cleaned, pounded and cooked; and in comparison with all this labour the nourishment afforded by the cakes was very slight.

An occasional crow or hawk was shot, and a little fish now and then begged from the natives.

As they were sinking rapidly, it was at last decided that Burke and King should go up the creek and endeavour to find the main camp of the natives and obtain food from them.
Wills, who was now so weak as to be unable to move, was left lying under some boughs, with an eight days' supply of nardoo and water, the others trusting that within that period they would have returned to him.
On the 26th of June the two men started, and poor Wills was left to meet death alone.

By the entries in his diary, which he kept written up as long as his strength remained, he evidently retained consciousness almost to the last.