The work, trouble, anxiety, and expense that Baron von Mueller went through to start this expedition none but the initiated can ever know.

It was ruined before it even entered the field of its labours, for, like Burke's and Wills's expedition, it was unfortunately placed under the command of the wrong man.

The collapse of the expedition occurred in this wise.

A certain doctor was appointed surgeon and second in command, the party consisting of about ten men, including two Afghans with the camels, and one young black boy.

Their encampment was now at a water-hole in the Paroo, where Curlewis and McCulloch had been killed, in New South Wales.