letta_ was indeed a contrast to the three
months spent on the good old clipper, the _Waipa_, on my way to New
Zealand.

I had arrived in New Zealand in November, 1879, as you know, with
practically nothing before me but a determined and firm resolve to make
good somehow, without any assistance except that which I could give
myself. Within ten years I was returning home, with a record of service
of which I could be proud.

Within those ten years I had held the position of Acting Commandant of an
important colony, with the temporary rank of full colonel, and was going
home with the rank of major. If I had remained in the good old regiment I
would have been fortunate if I had got my captaincy within that period.
But what about the knowledge and experience I had gained, not only as a
gunner, but as a staff officer, and, yet more, as an officer charged with
grave responsibilities in the administration and command of troops,
organized and maintained on lines differing totally from the hard and
fast methods governing our Regular Army, but eminently suitable to the
economic conditions of the healthy young colonies whose citizens were
true to the core at heart in their patriotism and were ready to make many
sacrifices to maintain the might of the Motherland?

For seven years my home had been in Adelaide. My friends had always
cheered me on in my work. If the exuberance of youth, good health and the
happiest of surroundings--all friends, and no foes that I knew of--had
not made my life happy, the fault would have been my own. I am
moralizing--the one thing I have been trying to avoid all through my
tale. What really is in my mind is to point out to any youngster who
reads this, and whose future suddenly becomes blurred and may appear
hopeless, that if he relies on his own self, gives his truest instincts
fair play, and determines to beat his bad luck and give to himself his
best, he will more than likely succeed, as it was my good fortune to do.

Now let us get back on board the ss. _Valetta_, on the moonlight night
when she weighed anchor off Largs Bay and I bade "adios" to the many
friends who had accompanied me on board, and who, re-embarking on the
Customs launch, followed the vessel down the gulf till the evening shades
hid them from our sight. The five weeks spent on the _Valetta_ on the
homeward trip were indeed enjoyable. First, the weather was fine all the
way. I do not think we had one really rough day. The ship was