After this he returned to Cape Town, with the intention of joining Lord Roberts in his advance on Pretoria.

But on arriving at Cape Town he learned that Lord Roberts did not intend to move for three weeks, and so decided to say farewell to the British army and to return to London in a leisurely and sightseeing fashion along the east coast.
It was after they were well started on this return voyage that Richard conceived the idea of leaving the ship at Durban, going to Pretoria, and, as he expressed it, "watch the Boers fighting the same men I had just seen fighting them." R.M.S.

Scot February 4th, 1900.
DEAR MOTHER: A great change has come since I wrote you from Madeira.

We are now on Summer seas and have regulated the days so that they pass very pleasantly--not that we do not want to be on land-- I never so much wanted it-- Somers is with us and is such a comfort.

He is even younger than he used to be and so quick and courteous and good tempered.