y seat in that very
chair in which General Downes had sat on the day he told me of my first
appointment. The vision had been temporarily fulfilled. It was to be
confirmed later on.

The first task I set to myself as Acting Commandant was to make a very
close examination into the state of our finances. The official financial
year closed on June 30.

The annual continuous camps of training were held during the Easter
holidays. I determined to strain every effort to hold a record camp, at
which every member of the force should be present. As soon as I was
satisfied that I could carry out my wishes I wrote to General Downes,
asking him to arrive in Adelaide, if suitable, the day after the troops
had assembled in camp for their annual training, when I would hand over
the command to him. All went well. I selected a site at a place called
Keswick, near the Black Forest, just west of Adelaide. It was the
locality that had been fixed upon in the local defence scheme for the
assembly of the troops in case of invasion. We had a full muster. The
general arrived and took command. He was welcomed by the officers and men
alike. My responsibilities for the time being were over.

The success of General Downes's previous term of command was a big factor
in assisting him to obtain support from the Government and the public at
large, and a somewhat generous increase in the military vote was made
available. His first request to the Government was for the assistance of
an Imperial officer as adjutant-general to relieve me from the onerous
double duties I had fulfilled for three years during Owen's term of
office. The Government concurred at once. A cable was sent home. Within a
few days the general was notified that Major Lovett, Somersetshire Light
Infantry, had been appointed and was sailing at once from London for
Adelaide. On his arrival I handed over to him my duties as
adjutant-general.

General Downes was fully aware of the six years' work that had fallen to
my lot since the fateful January 2, 1882, the day on which he had
notified me of my first appointment. He had, of course, watched from
Victoria with keen interest our difficult and troublous times for the
three years past.

With his usual forethought and kindness he suggested I should apply for
six months' leave. I thanked him heartily and sent in my application.

It was approved.

Oh, what joy!

CHAPTER VI

MY VISION FULFILLED

My voyage homewards on the _Va