'King, they are gone! They have only gone to-day—there are the things they have left!'
The two men immediately set to work to uncover the earth, and found a few inches below the surface a box containing provisions and a bottle.
In the bottle was a note, which was taken to Burke at once, who read it aloud:—
'Depôt, Cooper's Creek,
'April 21, 1861.
'The depôt party of the Victorian Exploring Expedition leaves this camp to-day to return to the Darling.
'I intend to go S.E. from Camp 60, to get into our old track near Bulloo. Two of my companions and myself are quite well; the third—Patten—has been unable to walk for the last eighteen days, as his leg has been severely hurt when thrown by one of the horses.
'No person has been up here from the Darling.
'We have six camels and twelve horses in good working condition.
'William Brahé.'
When the leader had finished reading it, he turned to the others and asked if they would start next day to try to overtake Brahé's party.