DALNY, July 27th, 1904.
[DEAR MOTHER:]
We left Shimonoseki three days ago and have had very
pleasant going on the Heijo Maru a small but well run ship
of 1,500 tons. Fox and I got one of the two best rooms and I
have been very comfortable. We are at anchor now at a place
of no interest except for its sunsets.
We have just been told as the anchor is being lowered
that we can send letters back by the Island, so I can just
dash this off before leaving. We have reached Dalny and I
have just heard the first shot fired which was to send me
home. All the others came and bid John and me a farewell as
soon as we were sure it was the sound of cannon. However, as
it is 20 miles away I'll have to hang on until I get a little
nearer. We have had a very pleasant trip even though we were
delayed two days by fog and a slow convoy. Now we are here at
Dalny. It looks not at all like its pictures, which, as I
remember them were all taken in
winter. It is a perfectly new, good brick barracks-like town.
I am landing now. The two servants seem very satisfactory and
I am in excellent health. Today Cecil has been four days at
Hong Kong. Please send the gist of this letter dull as it is
to Mrs. Clark. When I began it I thought I would have plenty
of time to finish it on shore. Of course, after this all I
write and this too, I suppose will be censored. So, there
will not be much liveliness. I have no taste to expose my
affections to the Japanese staff. So, goodbye.
R.
