The leader was obliged to order his men to fire upon them, and it was only after two or three volleys that they retired.
McKinlay was now satisfied that he had discovered all there was to find of the Victorian expedition, and, after burying a letter for the benefit of any after-comers, he left Lake Massacre, as it was mistakenly named, and returned to the depot camp.

His letter was as follows:-- "S.A.B.R.

Expedition, "October 23rd, 1861.
"To the leader of any expedition seeking tidings of Burke and party.
"Sir, I reached this water on the 19th instant, and by means of a native guide discovered a European camp, one mile north on west side of flat.

At or near this camp, traces of horses, camels, and whites were found.

Hair, apparently belonging to Mr.Wills, Charles Gray, Mr.Burke, or King, was picked up from the surface of a grave dug by a spade, and from the skull of a European buried by the natives.