Just as we were leaving, another party that had arrived while we were admiring the view requisitioned L's services to take their picture, using their camera. This done, we proceeded on our way, passing the refreshment booths at Malahat without stopping, much to the disgust of the Kid who had been attracted by the signs advertising ice cream and soft drinks. The South, or Victoria, side of the Malahat Drive showed, if possible, even finer scenery than the Northern approach, here winding and twisting round knob or shoulder, there dropping through virgin forest to a lower bench, the descent varied by short, sharp upgrades to reach some ledge along which the road may run on a comparative level for a short distance, now crossing a gorge down the bottom of which some 40 or 50 ft. below, a miniature mountain torrent roars and tumbles on its way, the opposite bank reached by a bridge which itself is built in general conformity with the slope, one end several feet lower that the other. Again rounding some bold promontory of the hills, a glimpse of arm or bay is seen far below over the tops of intervening forests which spread out like a carpet in various shades of green. The water, unruffled by even the faintest ripple, blue black in the shadow of the sheltering hills.

On reaching the foot of the pass, where a stream crosses the road, we stopped for lunch, camping by the side of the stream under some trees some of which were so covered in moss that they were actually being smothered; the banks of the stream one mass of ferns, growing in utmost profusion without a trace of soil. A few miles beyond this place we passed a pretty little lake with several summer cottages built on the nearer shore and from here on the country is well settled up. A detour necessary on account of road building activities brought us out onto the paved road within about six miles of Victoria. We were soon driving through outlying residential properties and so on into the city.

W. had to visit more relatives in this place, so passing the inner harbour and Parliament Buildings, which we duly admired, we headed for Oak Bay by the longest way round, keeping as near the shore as possible, passing the golf links and driving through a park or common where broom grew thickly. After some little difficulty, we located Granite St. and dropping W. drove back through the city and out to Esquimalt, where we visited the harbour and dry dock, examined the barracks at Work Point from the outside and secured the seascape (next page) of the straits to represent the 'Furthest West' seen on the trip. It was with a distinct sense of sorrow that we returned to Victoria, a feeling that the sublime object of the expedition had been attained and that from now on we were on the reverse grade, every hour bringing our holiday nearer its inevitable close, with the added necessity of planning the return journey to bring us back within the very inadequate period of leave allotted to B. and L. On again reaching Oak Bay we picked up W. and were alarmed to find that we had only a few minutes in which to locate the particular office of the government at which we earnestly desired to report ourselves and obtain a souvenir, but after a hurried and strenuous search we were finally successful with about 3 minutes to spare. It is regretfully recorded that the wares of this particular office did not quite reach the consistently high standard that we had encountered at similar depositories of this provincial government - however, we were from Saskatchewan. Then, after purchasing a few other necessary supplies, we started on the return trip to camp at 6:45 p.m., where we arrived, very cold and sleepy, at 10:45. The only incident of note on the return run was the finding of some wild foxgloves in bloom near the place where we had stopped for lunch. As nearly as we could estimate, this day we added 100 miles bringing the total for the trip to 1569 miles. On reaching camp we soon had a fire going, the kettle boiling and the beans cooked. Anticipating a late return, everything had been left in readiness on our departure in the morning. Before turning in, while smoking a final pipe, we had amused ourselves by dabbling and splashing in the sea. The water was wonderfully phosphorescent and gave back for every tiny drop or bubble a miniature star which burnt brightly for the fraction of a second and was extinguished to be again replaced by others and a stick, drawn sharply through the water, left behind a trail of fire like the tail of a rocket. This, and the numberless small crabs, seen in daylight, were a source of never ending interest to the Kid.

Next day, the last of our stay on the Island and practically the last before beginning the return trip, we had planned to do nothing, and to do it very well. But the pernicious habit of getting up before the day was properly aired had, however, become so firmly fixed that much against our several wills we were early astir. The kid alone voiced - what doubtless everyone felt - that it was a beastly shame, but, once up the devil of unrest drove us to search for something to do and, as the soiled appearance of sundry articles of apparel was most obvious, we proceeded to wash them. B., with great forethought had previously gone in swimming with all his clothes and so was exempt, in part. Just about now, a rather daring snap-shot attempted by W. of B. correctly attired "au boucanier" going into action was, for some unknown reason and much to the regret of at least three members of the party, unsuccessful. In no instance were photographic assaults of this sort on the unsuspecting individual attended with any luck. Then, while the wash was drying on the beach, sundry small errands suggested themselves, including appliances for a simple operation which should be performed immediately if Maudie was to keep her health, and W. and B. drove into Duncan, returning in time for lunch. In the afternoon we sat or laid around for a time watching the kingfishers, the Kid, who had been very much interested in the tides, taking observations on a stick with which he had marked low water. B. also performed the operation on Maudie, to the great benefit of her nerves. Then we all went in swimming again and otherwise amused ourselves till suppertime.

After supper W. and B. left for Chemainus to keep an appointment made that morning by phone and, during their absence, the "oldest inhabitant" paid a visit to the camp, regaling the Kid with many fishy yarns and interesting, if not wholly credible, details of local land formations.