hes, called on Mr.
Peterswald. He was delighted at the good news. He, of course, knew about
it from the general. He told me I could have leave of absence up to
January 1, the date on which I was to take up my work at the Military
Staff Office. My next business was to cable home to my father to inform
him of my appointment. I knew what a pleasure it would be, most
particularly to my mother, to hear the news. From the time that I had
left home my only letters had been to my mother, and the only letters I
had received had been from her. She always kept me fully informed of all
the different doings of our large Gordon family.

Yet it is wonderful to think what a difference it makes to one's ideas
when you decide to place some 16,000 miles between all your own best
friends and your solitary self. Your solitary self goes forth alone. You
go into new worlds, you leave behind all the pals of your youth, all
those whose friendship in after life would be an anchor to you; all those
sweet girls whom you love, all those relations who always protested they
were so ready and keen to help you in your troubles, but who, when the
time of trouble comes, suddenly have so many troubles of their own that
they really can do nothing for you; but the one whom you feel most to
leave behind is your mother.

On the day following the news of my appointment I called at Government
House. My Woolwich mate, Johnny Jervois, was more than delighted at the
result of his advice to me to remain in Adelaide. He and I had some
exciting times later on when the Russian scare occurred in Australia in
1885; of which, more presently. His Excellency the Governor, Sir William,
gave me much encouragement by the kind way in which he received me, and I
need hardly say that I felt somewhat overcome by what appeared to me the
extraordinary kindness of my South Australian friends. With the exception
of my having been at Woolwich with young Jervois, all were strangers to
me on my arrival in Adelaide. My resignation having been accepted I had
ceased to be a policeman, and I felt at full liberty to accept any of the
many invitations which were kindly given to me for the forthcoming
festive season. It was a happy Christmas and New Year's time. My
Christmas Day was spent with the general and his charming wife and
family, at their home at Mitcham, near Adelaide.

On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day respectively I was the guest of the
Governor and the new Commissioner, Mr. P