Perhaps some shadow of his tragic fate overhung his spirit.

The native boys were ripe for desertion, and two of them did desert, only to return in a few days, starving, and apparently repentant.

Better for Eyre had they gone altogether.

Amid such discouraging surroundings did Eyre commence his last struggle with the cliffs of the Great Bight.
The party had been tantalised by threatening clouds, which never broke in rain.

When on the third day they gathered once more, black and lowering.
Baxter urged Eyre to camp that night instead of pushing on, as rain seemed certain, and the rock holes by which they were then passing were well adapted to catch the slightest shower.