Corporal Fleming had picked up one of the local newspapers during our stay in Alexandria and pointed out to me a small article on page three of the tome. It told of an adventurer by the name of Mr. George Walker who had been prospecting for gold in the Transvaal region of southern Africa. This Boer republic had been annexed by Her Majesty in 1877 and there had been speculation as to possible large gold deposits in payable quantities to be found there.
A number of other prospectors had made claims before but it was Mr. Walker who discovered what seemed to be referred to as the 'Main Reef Leader', a vast store of gold-bearing rock stretching many thousands of feet downwards from ground level. The article also spoke of the 'fever' which had started to rage amongst citizens of our African colonies even as far north as Egypt.
Corporal Fleming had of course already relayed this information to many of the enlisted men, and there had been some wild talk of resigning from the military and heading for the goldfields.
I must admit the thought crossed my mind too for a brief interlude, then I came back to my senses. Grovelling in the dirt or digging hard rock underground was not to my taste, that's why I volunteered for the Camel Corps. Riding above the ground at a relaxed pace seemed much more convivial than being covered in mud and dirt and grime. I mean to say, my days as a common foot soldier were fairly short, due wholly to my determination as to not remaining in the position of being ordered about by beetroot-faced Sergeant-Majors for the rest of my days.
So, with a lot of grit and a nose to the grindstone I studied for an officer's commission. After all, it had been Prime Minister Gladstone's Liberal government which had established a more equitable system of entry into the higher ranks of the military, and of the Civil Service, some years prior that had given me a sense of the possibility of achieving that goal. That and the fact that my uncle on my father's side was an Admiral in the Royal Navy, and who put a quiet word in the right ears here and there. Thank you Admiral Edgar Buxtehude Shuntwiggle!!
Almost makes me want to break into song (ahem). And I just happen to have a little ditty handy that was written by my good uncle for a light opera, one that he composed in those idle hours on the bridge when he'd delegated all his duties to lower ranked officers.
Ah yes, dear Uncle Edgar, a man of many parts is he!
The Admiral's Sea Shanty
We're coming into port
With a cheering escort
And I'm on the bridge looking dashing.
My ship's the Renown
She sails for the Crown
(Harrumph) All shipshape and Bristol fashion.
If e'er you'd mock her
To Davy Jones locker
When you've had a damned good lashing.
Descended from Nelson
(Ahem) Well, maybe his bosun
And pirates, with teeth all a-gnashing.
I'm not at sea
Yet still, I may be
When I'm in my indoor pool.
Well, it's really my bath
So sit on that hearth
And you'll learn how Britannia still rules.
My toy boat collection
I make selections
Bring nations together to duel.
Wearing my floaties
I battle with boaties
Transfixed so that I start to drool. (Slurrrp) Oh, terribly sorry about that! I get so carried away, you know! Now, where was I??!! Oh yes!
We're coming into port
With a cheering escort
And I'm on the bridge looking dashing.
My ship's the Renown
She sails for the Crown
All shipshape and Bristol fashion.
If e'er you'd mock her
To Davy Jones locker
When you've had a damn good lashing.
Descended from Nelson
Well, yes, his bosun
And pirates, with teeth all a-gnashing.
Oh dashed good fun! And what a jolly old roger Uncle Edgar is! Yo ho ho, eh! Well,I think it might be time for a gin and tonic water.
