264 
MONOTONOUS LIFE IN CAMP. 
two of them before the termination of the expedition, and after 
they have taken so considerable a share in its labours. 
I have the honor to be, Sir, 
“ Your very obedient servant, 
“ EDW. JOHN EYRE. 
“ To Geo. Hally Esq., Private Secretary , fyc. 9 ' 
After the departure of the cutter, our mode of 
life was for some time very monotonous, and our 
camp bore a gloomy and melancholy aspect ; the 
loss of two men from our little band, made a sad 
alteration in its former cheerful character. Mr. 
Scott usually employed himself in shooting or 
fishing ; one of the native boys was always out 
shepherding the sheep, and the only remaining man 
I had was occupied in attending to the horses, so 
that there were generally left only myself, the 
overseer, and one native boy at the camp, which was 
desolate and gloomy, as a deserted village. The 
overseer was pretty well employed, in making boots 
for the party, in shoeing the horses, repairing the 
harness, and in doing other little odd jobs of a 
similar kind; the black boys took their turns in 
shepherding the sheep; but I was without active 
employment, and felt more strongly than any of 
them that relaxation of body and depression of 
spirits, which inactivity ever produces. 
For a time indeed, the writing up of my journals, 
the filling up my charts, and superintending the 
arranging, packing, and burying of our surplus 
stores, amused and occupied me, but as these were 
