d praise their hospital they have taken up arms
against the unfortunate little bounder and championed Cecil and me.
Cecil had really nothing to do with it as you can imagine-- She only
laughed but I gave the lady lots to remember.

On the other hand every one is as kind and interested in Cecil as can
be. Mrs. Waldron whose son is Secretary to Milner and his secretary
were more than polite to each of us. Milner spent the whole evening we
were there talking to Cecil and not to the lady we had had the row
with, which was a pleasing triumph. He sent me unsolicited a most
flattering personal letter to the Governor of Natal, saying that I had
come to him with my strong letters but that he had so enjoyed meeting
me that he wished to pass me on on his own account. Cecil asked me
what it was I had talked so much to him about and I asked her if it
were possible she couldn't guess that of course I would be telling him
how to run the colony. My advice was to bombard Cape Town and make
martial law, for the Cape Towners are the most rotten, cowardly lot of
rebels I ever imagined as being possible. He seemed so glad to find
any one who appreciated that it was a queen's colony in name only and
said, "Mr. Davis, it is as bad as this--I can take a stroll with you
from these gardens (we were at the back of the Government House) and at
the end of our stroll we will be in hostile territory."

We spent the last day after I had got my orders to join Buller (who
seemed very pleased to have me) calling on the officials for passes
together and they were in a great state falling into their coats and
dressing guard for her and were all so friendly and hearty. The Censor
seems to think I am a sort of Matthew Arnold and should be wrapped in
cotton, so does Pryor The Mail agent who apologizes for asking me to
cable, which is just what I want to do. They are very generous and are
spending money like fresh air. I am to cable letters to Cape Town,
only to save three days. So, now all that is needed is for something
to happen. Everything else is arranged. All I want is to see three or
four good fights and a big story like the relief of Ladysmith and I am
ready and anxious to get home. I shall observe them from behind an ant
hill--I don't say this to please you but because I mean it. This is
not my war and all I want is to earn the very generous sums I have been
offered and get home. We are just off Port Elizabeth. I will go on
shore and