Karl reached Townsville, aiming for a ship to China — but the Boxer Rebellion had changed everything. Australia’s naval forces were deployed, and ships were full. He turned back.

In Brisbane, he lectured again and found a spot working on a cargo ship to Sydney. He was ill for most of the journey, earned two shillings, paid one for his discharge papers, and got an “O.S.” stamped in his book: Ordinary Seaman.

Eventually, he arrived in Newcastle, where he gave another talk — this one featuring phonographs, violin solos, and a serio-comic number.