On a nearer approach we saw flights of pigeons, cockatoos, and parrots winging round about them, and making the air resound with their shrill notes.

The anticipations these indications of our approach to water raised, were soon verified by our arrival on the banks of a small creek coming from the hills.

Under the trees there were two little puddles, rather than pools of water.

The one had been reduced to its last dregs, and smelt offensively, the other was very muddy but drinkable, and such as it was we were most grateful for it.

The horses requiring rest here, I halted for the night, more especially as the day was unusually hot, and as we could see the creek line of trees extending to the N.W., towards the low range we had noticed in that direction from the little peak, I determined therefore to run it down in the morning, and to make for them, in the hope that something new would develop itself.
On the other side of the creek from that on which we remained, there was a new but unfinished hut.