Emily Caroline Creaghe - Diary, 22 Dec. 1882 - 5 Sept. 1883

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Telegraph Station "Katherine" 260 miles south of Port Darwin July 12th 1883

My dearest Papa

We have arrived safely so far at last, and hope to get to the end of our journey (Port Darwin) in a few weeks' time. I suppose you received Harry's telegram from Powell's Creek in May, telling you of our safe arrival there. Our horses were so knocked up at that stage, having had such hard work, & several long stages without water, that Harry & I were obliged to come on here with five of the worst horses, & Mr. Favenc went out with 9 others to finish the exploring on the McArthur river. We will give you full particulars of our trip

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when we see you, as the account is much too long and interesting to write about. Suffice You will be glad to hear that I was not in the slightest degree unwell the whole way. Poor Harry was very ill with dysentry for 10 days during the trip, at which time I was very anxious. We had one encounter with wild blacks, but there was no harm done. Sufficient of the trip until I see you — your letters forwarded from Normanton to Port Darwin we got this afternoon from Hong Kong! where they were carried on in mistake. There is a weekly mail from Port Darwin to this Station, so we hope to get more news by the

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next Southern mail. The latest we have of any of you is the middle of April. We are so sorry to hear the sad news about the mines, & at Louie's absence. I do hope she is with you again, it is miserable to think of your being alone. Poor Jim too. I cannot imagine how he managed to get into such trouble — When we shall be down I don't quite know. We are waiting for Favenc to come in, & to settle up money matters. Harry is getting rather anxious about him, as he is a fortnight over the time he expected [to] be out. If he is not in by the end of this month Harry will be obliged to organise a search party, & go out after him. In that case, I may go down without Harry, he following

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when either Favenc or his remains are found. The Blacks are very dangerous on the McArthur, so we have need to be anxious on his account. When I was staying in the Gulf, I sold my silver watch for £4, which I send to you, it being yours by rights, you [having given] me my beautiful gold one. I would not have sold it, but that I was offered so much more than you gave for it, & you were not so well off as you used to be. I never used it in Town, so the £4 is of much more service to you than the watch was to me. If Favenc turns up safely before the end of the month, we shall be with you in the end of August. Harry would very much like