212 "NATURAL HISTORY SKETCHES. 



sphere of life at home. "With a good mate, as long as 

 his health stands, I do consider the shooter's life one of 

 the happiest and most independent in the colony. A 

 good waterproof tent properly put up, with a fly on the 

 roof, and a turf chimney, is by no means a bad residence, 

 and quite as warm and comfortable as half the weather- 

 boarded houses that are knocked up here. The shooter 

 is generally camped amidst the most beautiful scenery, 

 close to some good water-hole or creek, with plenty of 

 wood at hand. He has few artificial wants, and the real 

 necessities of life are easily and cheaply obtained. His 

 meat, of course, he procures by his own gun ; and a bag 

 of flour, a little tea, sugar, and tobacco, fill his larder. 

 His cooking is simple, his furniture home-made. His 

 time is fully occupied, and not an hour hangs heavy on 

 his hands. His method of life is laid down by no rule. 

 He eats when he is hungry, sleeps when he is tired, and 

 works just when he pleases. The laughing-jackass calls 

 him up in the morning, and the flute-like note of the 

 magpie is his vesper bell. His very occupation preserves 

 his health. Content and health go hand in hand ; and 

 although, he has his share of the world's troubles and 

 what class is exempt from them ? he has also the inward 

 satisfaction of feeling that he is leading a happy, in- 

 dependent life, and has no one to thank but himself for 

 bis daily bread. 



I have lived at times by myself in the bush, and it was 

 then a lonely, laborious life. Often have I toiled from 

 Bunrise to sunset, come home dead beat to my lonely 



