being chiefly limited to rambles among the interior native tribes and amusements in some happy evenings at the mess of the detachment of the 65 stationed here also some agreeable hours with the settlers, one or two of whom are from my own part of the Highlands. There are frequent enquiries made respecting you but to speak candidly I have never openly acknowledged the understanding existing between us. On the contrary from a naturally silent disposition I have rather concealed my intentions than otherwise conceiving it desirable on your behalf as well as my own to observe a