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Unfortunately the mental state didn't alter on waking,
& a ghastly, vaporing ghost violently bounced him out
of bed, & chased him around the huts. Boy oh boy this
betel-nut must be great stuff.

I'd have loved you to watch them slaughtering a pair
of kids ([3 words struck out]). Both were brought from the
village & were tied to trees by the neck. They cried like
babies & I felt pity. One rope was cut & then a blunt
knife sawed through the poor kids neck. It was cleaned
& strung up while the other cried like a baby again.
I guess they will be on our menu tomorrow.

Tell Jeff I managed to get a few hundred yards
of gut line & am sending it by special messenger.

Today I learnt great news. From a reliable source
I heard were [sic] are to be relieved. From an equally good
source I heard we are here for the duration. Maybe
both of them are true, but I disbelieve the former.

This being the end of the month I'm flat out
with mess accounts. It entails more bookkeeping than
an average general store.

Cheerio darling. I wish I could only share these
glorious nights with the girl of my dreams. You (your photo)
& I are getting along famously. I melt before your lovliness.
Not a night passes without a dream. I came back last night
to you, yet the ending was tragic. You'd wronged me, and I went
crazy. The way you cried on my shoulder was fervent enough
to prove your love & repentance & I pleaded you to be mine forever.

{Funny dream but so realistic. I asked the 'old man' today for some good news. He is
trying to have us get leave beginning at Xmas. If he fails we are to be relieved shortly.
Three months of heaven & bitter-sweet darling. We must get one or the other. Love Alan XXX
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