I am, of course, unable to say how long it may take me but, however long, I shall persevere until I learn that my cousin is dead, or until I am, myself, killed.

I trust that in starting at once, on the assumption that you will grant me leave, I am not committing a breach of duty.

But if so, and you feel that you cannot, under the circumstances in which you are placed, grant leave to an officer to be absent on private business, I inclose a formal resignation of my commission, stating why I feel myself constrained, even in the presence of the enemy, to endeavour to rescue my cousin from the band that has carried him off.

At any rate, it could not be said that I resigned in order to shirk danger.
"I sent off two days ago, by one of the natives here, a report of my proceedings up to that date; and have now the honour to inclose the notes I took of my investigations, today, into the conduct of the headman of Pilboora, and my reasons for depriving him of his office.

I shall leave the two troopers of my escort here, with orders to remain until either I return, or they receive instructions from Prome.