Suitable for Ages 10-14.

The story of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition as told from 3 different points of view - the lead camel "Bell Sing", Dost Mahomet (the camel handler) and John King ( an ex-soldier and final survivor). The story begins with the camel explaining how he came to be roaming wild in the outback of Australia - from his selection to join the Burke expedition while still in India, his journey over the sea and his final long and slow travels through the interior of the outback. The second teller of this tale, as a stranger treated poorly by the whites, is the camel handler. He provides an impartial outsider's look at the personalities and problems that beset the expedition from the outset. The party spent extravagant amounts on alcohol ("for the camels"), transported inordinate loads of frivolous items ( such as a table and candelabra!) and should have shipped the whole party along the river as far as possible inland instead of making the horses and camels walk all the way from Melbourne! It was meant to be a scientific expedition but Burke's temper meant he had little time for scientists and absolutely no patience with his staff. King provides the finally pieces to the jigsaw, trying to balance his admiration for Burke's tenacity with surviving in the outback. The stupidity of the party to ignore the help offered to them by the local aboriginal people beggars belief until you look at it against the "white superiority" ideals of the time. Jackie French has once again provided us with a fascinating glimpse into history and how NOT to run an expedition. Her use of the camel as a narrator makes it a book for younger readers - say Grade 5 to Year 7.
p.153 - 155 Burke, Wills and King make it back to camp only to discover that the party left that morning. (The "Dig Tree")