State Library of NSW
[Page 159]
patients – I sent 3 to Hospital at once – The men want better food – meat – potatoes & onions – D. commandeered 4 bullocks the other day & had them served out to the Fleet & we got some – Cold beef & beer – One didnt talk – You just ate & drank – D. will kill every bullock in the island if he can get hold of it & quite right too – I would in his place – However the Eastern has meat on her & we'll do for a bit anyway –I've been rereading your letters & thinking – my life with all these devil may care men & their joy at fighting & drinking & their lovely language & views on life – It's about as rollicking, jolly a life as a man could have under discipline - Cheeriness is the one thing demanded of a man – Blood will flow like water this year but none of the men mind it – Our crew wd cheerfully shoot-bayonet or be bayonetted & enjoy getting the chance to kill or be killed – The officers must be with them & all go in together – That's all they want – If they could get a good feed & beer after it none wd be happier –
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