Thur. Dec. 3 finished by about 12.0. By 1.30 it was all loaded in the trains. At 2.30 we fell in! The first business was to distribute rifles. This we did by a chain or men from the hold to the quay who passed up the rifles one by one. While this was going on I had a little bother in getting some officers train-baggage off the ship -- but it was done eventually. The absolute idiots some officers employ as servants amuses me. After rifles had been given out we marched round to the train. While blankets & ammunition were being distributed to the men -- in a shed, i had to go back to the ship for some odds 7 ends that had been left behind. I got all that in the train & then at about 5.10 the men entrained. The coaches are quite fine. The gauge is 5' 6" (G.I.P.Ry). The firsts -- for officers -- are rather like cabins. They are 4 berth. Hickling 7 De Vesian are in with me. The C.O & staff are next door. ??? SKETCH??? As I passed Beach's domicile he asked if I had engaged a bearer yet. That directed my attention to a body of natives who were standing about there. I was looking at them quite undecided which one to choose when one -- I suppose the headman -- asked me most politely if I wanted to engage a bearer. I said "Yes" so he yelled to someone & I took him on on the spot. He seems a very decent fellow & he looks honest. We stopped two or three times at sundry places on the way, at one of