February 18th, 1900
On board Scot.
[DEAR MOTHER:]
I got off yesterday and am hoping to get to Buller before
Ladysmith is relieved. I could not get to go with Roberts
because Ralph has been here four months and has borne the heat
and burden of the day, so although I only came in order to be
with Roberts and Kitchener I could not ask to have Ralph
recalled — They wanted me with Roberts and I wanted it but
none of us could make up our minds to turn down Ralph. So I
am going up on this side track on the chance of seeing
Ladysmith relieved and of joining Roberts with Buller later.
I shall be satisfied if I see Ladysmith fall. Fortunately I
am to do a great deal of cabling for The Mail every day
and
that counts much more with the reading public than letters —
Cape Town is a dusty, wind ridden western town with a
mountain back of it which one man said was a badly painted
back drop — The only attractive thing about the town is this
mountain and a hotel situated at its base in perfectly
beautiful gardens. Here Cecil is settled. I got her a
sitting room and a big bedroom and The Mail agent or Pryor
pays her $150 a week and will take good care of her. It
really is a beautiful and comfortable hotel and grounds and
she has made many friends, and also I forced a pitch battle
with a woman who was rude to her when we visited the
hospital — So, as the hospital people were very keen to have
me see and 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 post
this there. With all love.
DICK.
