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[Page 9]
to wharf. After other parting this was indeed bitter. But she bore it bravely & we parted perhaps never to meet again even if I survive. At wharf crowd has closed in & there was no way. Forced my way in & found no one. Returned & directed troops to our standard & again met Her. This parting was more bitter and she almost broke down. But she is brave. See MCleamon & promise to bring her down but never return as reinforcement is almost ready & cannot get out. We move on wharf & finally on board. Pay starts & am in middle of it as ship moves away from wharf cannot get up on deck but cast a hurried glance thro a port hole but fail to see her. Luck has been given me on wharf. It was Hawkins who sought me & he has given me a letter to Arthur Mason strange his wife is Miss Graham of Greenwich if I remember rightly. Work is rapid & continuous but finally all square about 9. & we found we rest in service till 11 am next morning so rumour says.
Thursday 20-6-18
We up anchor at 6am & proceed out - cannot see anyone at Hy. Bl. but wave continuously. Sometimes I think I see a wave but am not sure. But continue waving. I am standing on Hurricane deck under boats I continue to wave till we have passed Heads & after leaving pilot continue waving for till we are about 5 miles away & my arm is tired. Sea is like glass. We carry on for about 20 M & then turn south so away go our hopes of Panama. We keep land all day so Panama seems farther away. No work today. There is a swell & everyone is sick.
Friday. 21-6-18
I am deck orderly officer today & have quite a busy time instructing an stowing hammock in. At 11am grand inspection by CO ship & OC troops. Captain is careful about closing