Thomas Hughes tells John's parents that he received a letter from them yesterday, but that he won't be able to write for a week. He's part of the regiment which has been sent on an expedition up the river. Thomas Hughes stayed behind to guard the tents and decided to write so that John's parents wouldn't feel uneasy.

Everything is relatively quiet and the weather is very fine. The post arrives twice a week and brings great joy to the men especially in this far and foreign land.