Spinifex and Sand Part 11

1 small pair of bellows.

1 iron windla.s.s-handle and fittings.

1 1-inch chisel.

1 brace and bits.

1 3/4 inch auger bit.

1 emery stone.

4 iron dishes.

1 sieve-dish.

1 iron dolly.

1 soldering iron for mending water casks.

2 sticks solder for mending water casks.

1 bottle spirits of salts for mending water casks.

1 case of tools. Screwdriver, small saw, hammer, chisel, file, gimlet, leather-punch, wire nipper, screw wrench, large scissors, &c.

1 case of tools for canvas work (sewing needles, &c.).

2 lbs. of copper rivets.

Screws.

Bolts.

1 box copper wire.

Strong thread.

1 1/2 lbs. 3-inch nails.

1 lb. 2-inch nails.

50 feet of rope.

1 duck tent, 6 ft. x 8 ft.

4 flies, 10 ft. x 12 ft., for covering packs.

4 mosquito nets.

3 saucepans.

3 quart pots.

6 pannikins.

6 plates, enamelled tin.

6 knives, forks, and spoons.

1 stewpan.

1 frying pan, 1 small medicine case (in tabloid form).

7 lbs. Epsom salts.

6 bottles of Elliman's embrocation.

3 bottles of carbolic oil.

3 bottles of eye lotion.

3 bottles of eucalyptus oil.

2 galvanised-iron concertina-made boxes for perishable goods, e.g., ammunition, journals, &c.

2 twelve-bore shot-guns.

4 colt revolvers, .380 calibre.

4 Winchester repeaters, .44 calibre.

200 twelve-bore cartridges.

300 Winchester do.

200 revolver do.

1 bicycle lamp (for night observations).

1 5-inch theodolite and tripod.

2 prismatic compa.s.ses.

2 steering compa.s.ses (Gregory's pattern).

1 telescope.

1 pair field-gla.s.ses.

1 map case.

1 drawing-board.

Drawing materials, note-books, &c.

1 binocular camera, with films. (N.B. Not good in hot climate.) 1 tape measure.

14 50-lb. bags of flour (700 lbs.).

35 doz. 1-lb. tins of meat (420 lbs.).

5 doz. 1-lb. tins of fish (60 lbs.).

(N.B.--Not fit for consumption--thrown away.) 200 lbs. rice.

70 lbs. oatmeal.

6 doz. tins of milk (condensed).

8 doz. tins baking powder.

4 doz. 1-lb tins of jam.

140 lbs. sugar, 40 lbs. salt (for salting down meat--kangaroo, &c.).

30 lbs. tea.

2 doz. tinned fruit.

2 doz. tinned vegetables.

10 lbs. currants.

10 lbs. raisins 40 lbs. dried apricots.

6 doz. 1-lb. tins b.u.t.ter.

4 doz. Liebig's Extract.

1 1/2 doz. pepper (1/4-lb. tins).

1/2 doz. curry-powder (1/4-lb. tins).

9 packets Sunlight soap.

1 box of candles.

6 lbs. cornflour.

28 doz. matches.

50 lbs. tobacco.

100 lbs. preserved potatoes.

4 bottles good brandy.

1 bottle good rum.

1 hair clipper.

Blankets, boots, flannel s.h.i.+rts, trousers (Dungaree and moleskin); &c.

The stores were calculated to last six months with care and longer should we encounter good country where game could be shot. Everything that could be was packed in large leather bags, made to order. Other expeditions have carried wooden bra.s.s-bound boxes; I do not approve of these--first on account of their own weight and bulk; second, when empty they are equally bulky and awkward; third, unless articles are of certain shapes and dimensions they cannot be packed in the boxes, which do not "give" like bags. Wooden water casks are generally used--my objections to them are that they weigh more than the iron ones, are harder to mend, and when empty are liable to spring or warp from the hot sun.

It will be seen that a great part of our load consisted of tools which, though weighty, were necessary, should we come on auriferous country, or be forced to sink to any depth for water: a great many of these tools were left in the desert.

The average load with which each camel started, counting the water casks (the four large ones) full, was 531 lbs., exclusive of saddle. Kruger and s.h.i.+ddi carried over 750 lbs. including top loading and saddle.

These loads, though excessive had the season been summer, were not too great to start with in the cooler weather; and every day made some difference in their weight.

The brandy was for medicinal purposes only. Even had we been able to afford the room I should not have carried more; for I am convinced that in the bush a man can keep his health better, and do more work, when he leaves liquor entirely alone.

CHAPTER III