I must say I couldn't help smiling. I suggested to him whether, in view
of my experiences as regarded appointments, he really thought that I
ought to accept his very kind offer. He said "Certainly; go and see the
commandant"--General Downes, R.A. "I have already had a chat with him
about you. Talk it over with him and let me know what you decide. In the
meantime go and see the Chief Commissioner of Police, Mr. George
Hamilton, who lives at the Adelaide Club, and who will do all he can to
make you comfortable." The result of my interview with the general was
that I decided to stay on in the hopes of obtaining the appointment. He
promised to recommend me for it.

Later on in the day I called upon Mr. George Hamilton at the Adelaide
Club. He was a charming personality, well advanced in years. He was
kindness itself to me, and put me up as an honorary member of the club.
He told me that on the next day, which was the last day of the month, he
would be making his usual monthly inspection of the mounted and foot
police attached to the city of Adelaide. The police barracks were
situated not far from the club, on the other side of North Terrace and
beyond the Government House grounds. The front portion of the building
was being utilized as the Military Staff Office. It was a peculiarity of
the mounted police in Adelaide that they were all mounted on grey horses,
Mr. George Hamilton being of the opinion that the police force was
intended more to prevent crime than to punish criminals. He held that
mounted policemen on grey or white horses would be seen at a greater
distance, and recognized as such, better than if they were mounted on
horses of other colours, and their presence being quicker recognized,
would act as a deterrent to crime if such was premeditated. I accompanied
him on his inspection, and that small force, mounted and foot, was a
credit to South Australia.

I had been thinking seriously to myself, during the inspection, as to
what I was to do while waiting for my appointment. It occurred to me that
I had exhausted most means of making a livelihood that I knew of, and I
recognized the fact that I could not afford to let the days go by without
making some money to meet my living expenses. Walking back to the club
after the inspection, I asked the Commissioner what were the pay and
emoluments of a mounted police trooper. "Eight shillings and sixpence a
day," he said, "is their pay, free quarters, free uniform and tra