Journal commencing the 13th September to the to [sic] November 30th 1845 1845 [sic]

My object in taking a northerly course was to see if the Creek existed to any distance so as to enable me in any way to turn the Sand hills. ² It will have been seen from my journal of yesterday that that hope was disappointed. There is a girdle of Salt formation round this spot thro which no passage can be found in the present state of the Country. In running across it the traveller gets on a more elevated ground than the salsolaceous flats but it is ground on which even after rains it would be almost hopeless to look for water[,] consisting of Sandy vallies between the ridges[,] the soil of which at once absorbs the rain. Seeing the absolute inutility of persevering in any farther attempt to penetrate either to the North or to the West, and finding that M^r Browne's attacks were becoming worse although he never complains I have determined on returning to the Depot with all possible speed and if it should please Providence to send rain[,] to try for a last time if there is an opening to the North from the Depôt. ³