Thursday 17 November 1836

Thursday, 17th November.

This morning being quite ennye [?] and being unable to get to my tools, I took my gun and Beppo and went in search of quails of which I succeeded in killing three brace and returned to dinner quite exhausted by the heat. I have just shot a native dog that I have been watching for several nights. Two of them have been for some time in our vicinity committing nightly depredations on the poultry etc. A young cygnet, a general pet, belonging to Captain Light was carried off a few nights since, from which time we have kept a good look out and as it is the bitch we have killed I think we stand a good chance of getting a shot at the gentleman – that is if he be at all inquisitive after the fate of his lady-love.