Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Nampula
en route
to the coast, the camp at Sawa having been
broken up now the work there was completed. When they
arrived at Nampula they were forced to stay there for a couple
of days after many of the 'boys' who were from that region
deserted, but that had its compensations
: 'I had quite a big
budget of letters including ones from Elsie, Edie and Mrs
Foster. Edie retains her characteristic coolness and rather
says 'consider yourself squashed'. However she appears to
be good chums and causes no embarrassment whatever.'
He
seems to have forgotten all about his feelings for her of a few
months ago!
While waiting at Nampula, Barton unexpectedly received a
telegraph from Memba Minerals in London, but as it was in code
and his code book had gone ahead with the luggage he could
not read it immediately. Sending telegrams in code was com-
mon practice since anyone along the long line of telegraph
operators could have read the message. It was a few days before
they caught up with their luggage, found the code book and
deciphered the message. It contained a considerable surprise.
Thursday 14th September, 1911. My Dear Bob: I am great-
ly excited tonight and you will be too when I startle you by
the unexpected news that as you read this I shall be on the
ocean blue sailing homewards. Mr. Barton had a cable from
the London office, but as he had not his code book with him,
he was unable to read it until today on arrival here
[camp at
Monapo River]
. It was to the effect that everyone will leave
Mozambique at the end of the agreement period, October 12th,
a sudden change of plan which he is unable to understand.
As there is a boat (I think) leaving on October 14th we shall
of course, come by that, arriving at Southampton on or about
Nov. 20th. Hurrah! I should have liked very much to have
stayed the other month for the sake of the extra money, but
I must say, the prospect of being home so much earlier rather
fills me with delightful excitement.
After a week's glorifying at home I'll return to London for a
