Looking-into-Leichhardt_catalogue_Oct2013_Gannon+friends

V ARGUMENTS February 1845

Living under such arduous conditions the expeditioners often quarrelled and fought among themselves. Friendships and loyalties were challenged. Trouble could be sparked by the most trivial of issues, such as the division of native honey at mealtimes. Leichhardt and Gilbert competed with each other about who would take the credit for finding new animal species. On 22nd February Charley Fisher argued with Leichhardt, who wrote “…[Charley] burst into most violent and abusive language, and threatened to stop my jaw…” Blows were exchanged and blood was drawn. Charley was discharged. Harry Brown went with him, but sometime later they rejoined the party as it moved from the Isaac to Suttor River. Charley and Harry’s superior navigation (especially on finding a return route to campsites after reconnaissance trip), water and food sourcing skills were much needed by the others, but relationship issues continued to be troublesome and, perhaps reflecting on those, on 24th February Leichhardt wrote of a 'dreary land' with 'thunder peeling above us' .

80 x 120 cm oil on board 2013

Leichhardt's 1844-45 route

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