第8章

Lastnightthecarriageswereallowedtoparadethestreetsandforhourstheroutewasblockedwithomnibuseshiredbyprivateparties，costercarts，privatecarriages，courtcarriagesandthehansoms。Theprocessionformedbythesewastwohoursingoingonemile。TheypassedmywindowsinJermynStreetforthreehoursandapartyofussatinsideandguyedthelifeoutofthemuntiloneinthemorning。Wegotverycleveratitfinallyandveryimpudentandasthepeoplewereonlytwoyardsfromusmywindowsbeingonalevelwiththetopsofthebusesandaswehadaflaringilluminationthatlitupthestreetcompletelywehadlotsoffunwiththemespeciallywiththebusses，aswepretendedtobelievethattheadvertisementsreferredtothepeopleonthetop，andwewouldaskanxiouslywhichladywas"LottieCollins"andwhichgentlemanhadbeenbroughtupon"Mellin\'sFood"——WehadevenmorefunwiththeswellscominghomefromtheGalanightattheoperaandhemmedinbetweencostersandPickford\'svansloadeddownwithwomenandchildren。

Theycalledonusforspeechesandmatchesandsegarsandwekepttheprocessionsuppliedwithfoodanddrink。Nobodygotmadandtheyansweredbackbutwewerepreparedwithnumerousreparteesandtheywereapparentlysosurprisedbyfindingapartyofladiesandgentlemenengagedinchaffingcourtofficialsthattheywouldforgettoreplyuntiltheyhadmovedon。Onebusdriversaid"Oh，youcanlarff，causeyourat\'ome。Weare\'untingforJensenonaNorthPoleExpedition。

Wewon\'tbehomeforthreeyearsyet——"Charleyseemsveryhappyandhegotamostheartywelcome。Ishallfollowhimover。IdonotthinkIshallgowhenhedoesasthatwouldmeanseeingpeopleandgettingsettledandImustgettheGreekwardonebythe12thofJulyandtheJubileebythe15thofAugust。Iknowyouwillnotmind，butIhavebeenterriblyinterruptedbytheJubileeandbysomanyvisitors。Theyarerunninginallthetime，soIshalltrytogettheGreekwararticledonebeforeIsailandalsohavealittlepeacefulviewofLondon。Ihaveseennothingofitreallyyet。

Ithasbeenlikelivinginacircus，andmovingaboutonanelectionnight。IamwellascanbeexceptforoccasionaltwingesofsciaticabutIhavenothadtogotobedwithitandsometimesitdisappearsforaweek。Alittlelessrainandmoresunwillstopit。IhopeyoudonotmindmynotreturningbutwewillallbetogetherformanymonthsthisFallandIreallyfeelthatIhavenothadaquietmomenthereforpleasureandwork。Ithasbeensucharush。IdowishtoseedearDad。Iamsoverysorryabouthisbeingill，andIhopeheishavinglotsoffishing。LovetoallatMarion——andGodblessyou。

RICHARD。

LONDON

July13，1897。

DEARMOTHER:

TodayBarriegaveacopyrightperformanceof"TheLittleMinister"whichMaudeAdamsistoplayintheStates。ItwasadvertisedbyasinglebillinfrontoftheHaymarketTheaterandthepriceofadmissionwasfiveguineas。Wetookinfifteenguineas，theaudiencebeingCharleyFrohman，LadyCraigandaman。CyrilMaudeplayedtheheroandBrandonThomasandBarriethetwolowcomedyparts——twoScotchmenofThrums。Istartedtoplayoneofthem，butasIinsistedonmakingitanagednegrowithsongs，BarrieandFrohmangotdiscouragedandletmeplaythevillain，LordRintoul，inwhichcharacterIwasgreat。Maudeplayedhispartinfivedifferentwaysanddialectssoastoseewhichhelikedbest，hesaid。Itwasabitconfusing。Thenoneoftheactorswentupinthegalleryandpretendedtobeajournalistcriticwhohadsneakedin，andheabusedtheplayandtheactorswiththeexceptionofthemanwhoplayedWhamond(himself)whomhesaidhethoughtshowedgreatpromise。Maudepretendednottoknowwhohewasanditfooledeverybody。Mrs。Barrieplayedthegipsyanddancedmostofthetime，whichshesaidwasherconceptionofthepartasitwasinthebook。Herhusbandexplainedthatthiswasaplay，notabook，butshedidnotcareanddancedonandoff。Sheplayedmydaughter，andIhadagreatsceneinwhichIcursedher，whichgotroundsofapplause。LadyLewis\'sdaughtersinbeautifulPaquindressesplayedScotchlassies，andgiggledinallthesadparts，andoneactresswhohadmadeagreatsuccessasoneofthe"TwoVagabonds"madeeverybodyweepbyreallytryingtoact。AtonetimetherewerefivemenonthestagealltalkingScotchdialectandimitatingIrvingatthesametime。Itwasatrulyremarkableperformance。

EthelBarrymoregoesbackonSaturdaywithDrewtoplayaFrenchmaidin"AMarriageofConvenience。"SheisannouncedtobeengagedtoHope，Iseebythepapers。Theyarenotengaged，ofcourse，butthepaperslovetomakematches。Lookformeassailingeitheronthe31stontheSt。Louisoraweeklater。Withlotsandlotsoflove。

DICK。

InthelatesummerRichardreturnedtoMarionandfromtherewenttoNewYork。However，atthistime，thelureofEnglandwasverystrongwithmybrother，andearlyDecemberfoundhimbackinLondon。

LONDON，December29th，1897。

DEARMOTHER:——

IhadamostexcitingChristmas，mostofwhichIspentinWhitechapelintheLondonHospital。IlunchedwiththeSpendersandthenwentdownwiththemcarryinglargepackagesfordistributiontothesick。Iexpectedtobeterriblybored，butthoughtIwouldfeelsovirtuousthatIwouldthebetterenjoymydinnerwhichIhadpromisedtotakewiththeMcCarthys——Onthecontrary，IhadthemostamusingtimeandmuchmorefunthanIhadlater。Thepatientsseemedonlytobeplayingsick，andsomeofthemwereveryhumorousandothersverypatheticandIplayedtinsoldierswithsome，anddistributedrichgifts，otherpeoplehadpaidfor，withalavishhand。Ialsosatonalittlegirl\'scotandplayeddollsforanhour。ShehadsomethingwrongwithherspineandIweptmostofthetime，chieflybecauseshesmiledallthetime。Shewentasleepholdingontomymiddlefingerlikethebabyin"TheLuckofRoaringCamp。"Therewereeightybabiesinredflannelnightgownsbuttonedupthebackwhohadpillowfightsinhonorofthedayandtookturnsinplayingonabarrelorgan，thosethatwerestrongandtallenough。Inthenextwardanotherbabyinwhitewasdying——Itsmotherwasacostergirl，seventeenyearsold，withabighatandplumeslikethosetheflowergirlswearatPiccadillyCircus。Thebabywasyellowlikeoldivoryanditsteethandgumswereblueanditdiedwhilewewerewatchingit。Themothergirlwasdrinkingteaandcryingintoitoutofredswolleneyes，andtwentyfeetoffoneoftherednightgownedkidswasplaying"LouisianaLou"onthebarrelorgan。Thenurseputthebaby\'sarmsunderthesheetsandthenpulledoneupoveritsfaceandtooktheteacupawayfromthemotherwhodidn\'tseewhathadhappenedandIcameawaywhilethreeyoungnurseswerecomfortingthegirl。Mostofthenurseswereverybeautiful，andIneglectedmydutiesasSantaClaustotalktothem。Theywouldstoptalkingtogetdownontheirkneesanddustupthefloor，whichwasmostembarrassing，youcouldn\'tverywellasktobelettohelp。Therewasonecosterwhohadhisbrokenleginacagewhichmovedwiththelegnomatterhowmuchhetossed。Hewasliketheman"whosatinjailwithouthisboots，admiringhowtheworldwasmade，"hespentallhiswakinghoursinwraptadmirationofthecage——Hesaidtome"I\'vebeenhereafortnightnow，comeMonday，andIcan\'tbreakmylegnohow。Yercan\'tdoit，that\'sall——Yercantwist，andkick，andtoss，anditdon\'tdonogood。Yerjestcan\'tdoit——Nowyoutakenotice。"Thenhewouldkickviolentlyandthecagewouldrunaroundontrolleysandkeepthebrokenlimbstraight。

"See!"hewouldexclaim，"WotdidItellyou——Itsnouseoftrying，yerjustcan\'tdoit。\'ereI\'vebeentendaysatryinganditcan\'tbedone。"

WehadaveryfineChristmasdinnerjustEthel，theMcCarthy\'sandI。Fanny，tellCharles，broughtintheplumpuddingwithasprigofhollyinitandblazing，andafterdinnerIreadthemtheJackall——AboutelevenIstartedtotakeEtheltoMissTerry\'s，wholivesmilesbeyondKensington。Therewasalightfog。Isaidthatallsortsofthingsoughttohappeninafogbutthatnooneeverdidhaveadventuresnowadays。AtthatwerodestraightintoabankoffogthatmakesthoseonthefishingbankslooklikeSpringsunshine。Youcouldnotseethehouses，northestreet，northehorse，notevenhistail。Allyoucouldseeweregasjets，butnottheironthatsupportedthem。Thecabmandiscoveredthefactthathewaslostandturnedaroundincirclesandthehorseslippedontheasphaltwhichwasthickwithfrost，andthenwebackedintolamp-postsandcurbsuntilEthelgotsoscaredshebitherunderlipuntilitbled。Youcouldnottellwhetheryouweregoingintoahouseoroveraprecipiceorintoasea。Thehorsefinallybackedupaflightofsteps，andrubbedthecabbyagainstafrontdoor，andjabbedthewheelsintoanarearailingandfelldown。That，Ithought，wasourcuetogetout，soweslippedintoawellofyellowmistandfeltaroundforeach\'otheruntilasquareblockoflightsuddenlyopenedinmidairandfourterrifiedwomenappearedinthedoorwayofthehousethroughwhichthecabmanwasendeavoringtobutthimself。

Theybeggedustocomein，andwedid——BeingChristmasandbecausetheMcCarthy\'salwayscallme"King"IhadputonallmydecorationsandthetinstarandIalsoworemybeautifulfurcoat，towhichIhavetreatedmyself，andagrandgoodthingitis，too——Itookthisoffbecausetheroomwasveryhot，forgettingaboutthedecorationsandremarkedinthesametimetoEthelthatitwouldbefollytotryandgettoBarkstonGardens，andthatwemustgobacktothe"Duchess\'s"

forthenight。AtthisEthelansweredcalmly"yes，Duke，"andIbecameconsciousofthefactthattheeyesofthefourwomenwererivetedonmyfurcoatanddecorations。Attheword"Duke"deliveredbyaveryprettygirlinaneveningfrockandwithnothingonherhairthefourwomendisappearedandbroughtbackthechildren，theservants，andthemen，whoweresoovercomewithaweandexcitementandChristmascheerthattheyallbutgotdownontheirkneesinacircle。So，wefledoutintothenightfollowedbyminutedirectionsastowhere"YourGrace"and"YourLadyship"shouldturn。Foryears，nodoubt，onaChristmasDaythestorywillbetoldinthathouse，whereveritmaybeinthemillionsofotherhousesofLondon，howabeautifulCountessandawickedDukewerepitchedintotheirfrontdooroutofahansomcab，andafterhavingpartakenoftheirChristmassupper，disappearedagainintoaseaoffog。TheonlydirectionEthelandIcouldrememberwasthatweweretogototherightwhenwecametoaChurch，sowhenbyfeelingourwaybythewallswefinallyreachedachurchwecontinuedgoingonaroundituntilwehadencircleditfivetimesorithadencircledus，wewerenotsurewhich。Afterthefifthlapwegaveupandsatdownonthesteps。Ethelhadonlowslippersandwasshiveringandcoughingbutintenselyamusedandonlyscaredforfearshewouldlosehervoiceforthefirstnightof"Peter"——Wecouldhearvoicessometimes，likepeopletalkinginadream，andsometimesthesoundofdancemusic，andaman\'svoicecalling"Perlice"inadiscouragedwayasifhedidn\'tmuchcarewhetherthepolicecameornot，butregularlylikeafogsiren——Idon\'tknowhowlongwesatthereorhowlongwemighthavesattherehadnotamanwithabicyclelamploomedupoutofthemistandrescuedus。Hehadhismotherwithhimandshesaidwithgreatpridethatherboycouldfindhiswayanywhere。So，weclungtoherboyandfollowed。AcabmanpassedleadinghishorsewithoneofhislampsinhisotherhandandIturnedforaninstanttospeaktohimandEthelandherfriendsdisappearedexactlyasthoughtheearthhadopened。So，Iyelledafterthem，andEthelsaid"Here，Iam，"atmyelbow。ItwaslikethechesirecatthatkeptappearinganddisappearinguntilhemadeAlicedizzy。Wefinallyfoundalink-boyandhefinallyfoundtheMcCarthy\'shouse，andIleftthemgivingEthelquinineandwhiskey。Theywantedmetostay，butIcouldnotfacedressing，inthemorning。SoIfeltmywayhomeandonlygotlosttwice。TheArchonConstitutionHillgavememuchtrouble。IthoughtitwastheMarbleArch，andhence——InJermynStreetIsawtwolampsburningdimlyandavoicesaid，hearingmyfootsteps"whereamI？Idon\'tknowwhereIamnomorethannothing——"ItoldhimhewasinJermynStreetwithhishorse\'sheadabouttwentyfeetfromSt。James——Therewasalongdramaticsilenceandthenthevoicesaid——"Well，IbeblowedIthoughtIwasinPimlico!!!"

ThishasbeensuchalongletterthatIshallhavetoskipanymore。IhaveNOsciaticachieflybecauseofthefurcoat，I

think，andIgottwoChristmaspresents，onefromMargaretFraserandonefromtheDuchessofSutherland——BoxingDayI

tookMargarettothematineeofthePantomineanditlastedfivehours，untilsixtwenty，thenIdressedanddinedwiththeHay\'sandwentwiththemtotheBarnumcircuswhichbeganateightandlasteduntiltwelve。Itwasabusyday。

Lotsoflove。DICK。

LONDON，March20，1898。

DEARMOTHER:

TheNellieFarrenbenefitwasthefinestthingIhaveseenthisyearpast。ItwasmoreremarkablethantheCoronation，ortheJubilee。Itbeganattwelveo\'clockonThursday，butatteno\'clockWednesdaynight，thecrowdbegantogatheraroundDruryLane，andspentthenightonthesidewalkplayingcardsandreadingandsleeping。Tenhourslatertheywereadmitted，orafewofthemwere，asmanyasthegallerieswouldhold。ArthurCollins，themanageroftheDruryLaneandthemanwhoorganizedthebenefit，couldnotgetastallforhismotherthedaybeforethebenefit。Theywerethennottobehad，thelasthavingsoldfortwelveguineas。IgotTWO

themorningofthebenefitforthreepoundseach，andnowpeoplebelievethatIdidgetintotheCoronation!Thepeoplewhohadstallsgotthereatteno\'clock，andthestreetswereblockedfor"blocks"uptoCoventGardenwithhansomsandroyalcarriagesandholdersofticketsatfiftydollarsapiece。Itlastedsixhoursandbroughtinthirtythousanddollars。KateVaughancamebackanddancedafteranabsencefromthestageoftwelveyears。IrvingrecitedTheDreamofEugeneAram，TerryplayedOphelia，ChevaliersangMrs。

Hawkins，DanLenogaveHamlet，MarieTempestsangTheJewelofAsiaandHaydenCoffinsangTommyAtkins，theaudienceofthreethousandpeoplejoininginthechorus，andforanencoresinging"Oh，Nellie，NellieFarren，mayyourlovebeeverfaithful，mayyourpalsbeevertrue，soGodblessyouNellieFarren，here\'sthebestoflucktoyou。"InTrialbyJury，Gilbertplayedanassociatejudge；thebarristerswereallplaywrights，thejurytheprincipalcomedians，thechorusgirlswererealchorusgirlsfromtheGaietymixedinwithleadingladieslikeMissJeffriesandMissHanbury，whocouldnotkeepinstep。Butthebestpartofitwasthepantomime。

Ellalinecameupatrapwithadiamonddressandherhairdownherbackandelectriclightsalloverher，andsaid，"IamtheFairyQueen，"andwavedherwand，atwhichthe"FirstBoy"inthepantomimesaid，"Golong，now，do，weknowyourtricks，you\'reEllalineTerriss"；andtheclownsaid，"You\'rewrong，she\'snot，she\'sMrs。SeymourHicks。"ThenLettyLindcameonasColumbineinblacktulle，andArthurRobertsasthepoliceman，andEddyPayneastheclownandStoreyasPantaloon。

Therestofitbroughtoneverybody。SamSothernplayeda"swell"andstoleafish。LouisFreear，ahousemaid，andalltheleadingmenappearedaspolicemen。Noonehadmorethanalinetospeakwhichjustgavetheaudiencetimetorecognizehimorher。ThecomposersandorchestraleaderscameonasaGermanband，eachplayinganinstrument，andtheygothalfthroughtheWashingtonPostbeforethepolicemenbeatthemoff。ThenMarieLloydandalltheMusicHallstarsappearedasstreetgirlsanddancedtothemusicofahand-organ。HaydenCoffin，PlunkettGreeneandBenDaviessangasstreetmusiciansandtheclownbeatthemwithstuffedbricks。Afterthattherewasarevueofalltheburlesquesandcomicoperas，thenthecurtainwasraisedfromthemiddleofthestage，andNellieFarrenwasdiscoveredseatedatatableonahighstagewithallthe"legitimates"

infrock-coatsandwalkingdressesrisingonbenchesaroundher。

Thesetwasabeautifulwoodscenewelllighted。Wyndhamstoodononesideofher，andhesaidtheyellthatwentupwhenthecurtainrosewasworsethantherebelyellhehadheardinbattles。Infrontofher，belowthestage，wereallthepeoplewhohadtakenpartintherevue，formingamostinterestingpicture。Therewasnooneinthegroupwhohadnotbeenknownforayearbypostersorphotographs:LettyLindastheGeisha，ArthurRobertsasDandyDan。TheFrenchGirlandalltheofficersfromTheGeisha，theballetgirlsfromthepantomime，thebareback-ridersfromTheCircusGirl；

theEmpirecostumesandthemonksfromLaPoupee，andalltheChineseandJapanesecostumesfromTheGeisha。Everybodyonthestagecriedandalltheoldroundersintheboxescried。

ItwasreallyawonderfullydramaticspectacletoseetheclownandofficersandGeishagirlsweepingdowntheirgreasepaint。NellieFarren\'sgreatsongwasoneaboutastreetArabwiththewords:"Letmeholdyour，nag，sir，carryyourlittlebag，sir，anythingyoupleasetogive——thank\'ee，sir!"Sheusedtocloseherhand，thenopenitandlookatthepalm，thentouchhercapwithaverywonderfulsmile，andlaughwhenshesaid，"Thank\'ee，sir!"Thissongwasreproducedforweeksbeforethebenefit，andplayedalloverLondon，andwhenthecurtainroseonher，theorchestrastruckintoitandthepeopleshoutedasthoughitwasthenationalanthem。WyndhammadeaverygoodaddressandsodidTerry，thenWyndhamsaidhewouldtrytogethertospeak。Shehaslosttheuseofherhandsandlegsandcanonlywalkwithcrutches，soheputhisarmaroundherandhersonliftedherfromtheothersideandthenbroughthertoherfeet，bothcryinglikechildren。Youcouldhearthepeoplesobbing，itwassostill。Shesaid，"LadiesandGentleman，"

lookingatthestallsandboxes，thensheturnedherheadtothepeopleonthestagebelowherandsaid，"BrothersandSisters，"thenshestoodlookingforalongtimeatthegallerygodswhohadbeenwaitingtheretwentyhours。Youcouldhearalong"Ah"fromthegallerywhenshelookedupthere，andthena"hush"fromalloveritandtherewasabsolutesilence。Thenshesmiledandraisedherfingertoherbonnetandsaid，"Thank\'ee，sir，"andsankbackinherchair。ItwasthemostdramaticthingIeversawonastage。

Theorchestrastruckup"AuldLangSyne"andtheygavethreecheersonthestageandinthehouse。Thepapersgotoutspecialeditions，andsaiditwasthegreatesttheatricaleventtherehadeverbeeninLondon。

DICK。

CHAPTERXI

THESPANISH-AMERICANWAR

WhenthenewsreachedRichardthattheSpanish-AmericanWarseemedinevitablehereturnedatoncetoNewYork。HerehespentafewdaysinarrangingtoactascorrespondentfortheNewYorkHerald，theLondonTimes，andScribner\'sMagazine，andthenstartedforKeyWest。

OffKeyWest——April24th，1898。

OnBoardSmith，HeraldYacht。

DEARMOTHER:

IwroteyousuchacrossgloomyletterthatImustdropyouanothertomakeupforit。SinceIwrotethatanhouragowehavereceivedwordthatwarisdeclaredandIamnowonboardtheSmith。SheisareallyfinevesselasbigasBenedict\'syachtwithplentyofdeckroomandbigbunks。IhaveeverythingIwantonboardandTheHeraldmenaretwooldPressmensowearegoodfriends。IfIhadhadanotherhourI

believeIcouldhavegotaberthontheflagshipforRoosevelttelegraphedmethelongestandstrongestletteronthesubjectamancouldwriteinstructingtheAdmiraltotakemeonasIwaswritinghistory。Chadwickseemedwillingbutthenthesignaltosetsailcameandwehadtostampede。Alltheshipshavetheirsailingpennantsup。Itisascalmasamirrorthankgoodnessbutashotashell。WeexpecttobeoffHavanatomorrowatsunset。Thenwhatwedonooneknows。Thecrewisonstrikeaboveandthemateiswrestlingwiththembutasitseemstobeonlyaquestionofafewdollarsitwillcomeoutallright。WeexpecttobebackhereonSundaybutmaystayoutlater。Don\'tworryifyoudon\'thear。Itisgrandtoseethelineofbattleshipsfivemilesoutlikedogsinaleashpuffingandstraining。ThankGodthey\'llletthemslipanyminutenow。Idon\'tknowwhere"Stenie"is。Iamnowgoingtotakeanapwhilethesmoothwaterlasts。

DICK——

FlagshipNewYork——

OffHavana，April26，1898。

DEARFAMILY:

IleftKeyWestonthemorningofthe24thintheDolphinwiththeideaoftryingtogetonboardtheflagshiponthestrengthofRoosevelt\'sletter。StenieBonsalgotonjustbeforeshesailed，notasacorrespondent，butasamagazine-writerforMcClure\'s，whohavegivenhimacommission，andbecausehecouldactasinterpreter。IlefttheflagshipthemorningofthedayIarrived。ThecaptainoftheDolphinapologizedtohisofficerswhilewewereatanchorintheharborofKeyWest，becausehiswasa"cabin"

andnota"gun"ship，andbecausehehadtodeliverthemailsatonceonboardtheflagshipandnotturnoutofhiscourseforanything，nomatterhowtemptingaprizeitmightappeartobe。Hethenproceededtochaseeverysailandcolumnofsmokeonthehorizon，sothatthecoursewaslikeacat\'scradle。Wefirstheadedforabigsteamerandsounded"generalquarters。"Itwasfinetoseethefacesoftheapprenticesastheyrantogettheircutlassesandrevolvers，theireyesopenandtheirhaironend，withthehopethattheyweretoboardaSpanishbattleship。ButatthefirstgunsheranupanAmericanflag，andongettingnearerwesawshewasaMallorysteamer。Anhourlaterwechasedanothersteamer，butshewasalreadyaprize，withaprizecrewonboard。Thenwehadachaseforthreehoursatnight；afterwhatwebelievedwasthePanama，butsheranawayfromus。Wefiredthreeshellsafterher，andshestillranandgotaway。ThenextmorningIwentonboardtheNewYorkwithZogbaum，theartist。AdmiralSampsonisafineman；heimpressedmeverymuch。Hewasverymuchbotheredattheorderforbiddingcorrespondentsontheship，butItalkedlikeafathertohim，andhefinallygavein，andwasveryniceaboutthewayhedidit。SincethenIhavehadthemostinterestingtimeandthemostnovelexperienceofmylife。Wehavebeenlyingfromthreetotenmilesoffshore。WecanseeMorroCastleandhousesandpalmsplainlywithoutaglass，andwithonewecandistinguishmenandwomeninthevillages。Itis，orwas，frightfullyhot，andyouhadtokeepmovingallthetimetogetoutofthesun。Imesswiththeofficers，buttheothercorrespondents，theAssociatedPressandRalphPaineofTheWorldandPressofPhiladelphia，withthemiddies。PainegotonbecauseScovelofTheWorldhasdonesomuchsecretserviceworkfortheadmiral，runninginatnightandtakingsoundings，andbydaymakingphotographsofthecoast，alsocarryingmessagestotheinsurgents。

Itisawonderfulship，likeavillage，andasbigastheParis。Wedriftaroundinthesunorthemoonlight，andwhenweseealight，chaseafterit。Thereisabandonboardthatplaystwiceaday。Itislikealuxuriousyacht，withnoneoftheennuiofayacht。Theothernight，whenwewereheadingoffasteamerandfiringsix-poundersacrossherbows，thebandwasplayingthe"star"songfromtheMeistersinger。WagnerandWarstruckmeasthemostfindesiecleideaofwarthatIhadeverheardof。Thenightshavebeenperfectlybeautiful，fullofmoonlight，whenwesitondeckandsmoke。Itislikelookingdownfromtheroofofahighbuilding。YesterdaytheybroughtaSpanishofficeronboard，hehadbeenpickedupinaschoonerwithhisorderly。IwasinCaptainChadwick\'scabinwhenhewasbroughtin，andScovelinterpretedforthecaptain，whowasmorecourteousthananySpanishDonthatbreathes。TheofficersaidhehadbeenonhiswaytoseehiswifeandnewlybornbabyatMatanzas，andhadnoknowledgethatwarhadbeendeclared。Imustsayitdidmegoodtoseehim。IrememberedthewaytheSpanishofficersusedtoinsultmeinalanguagewhichI，fortunatelyforme，couldnotunderstand，andhowI

hatedthesightofthem，andIenjoyedseeinghisredandyellowcockadeonthetablebeforeme，whileIsatinabigarmchairandsmokedandwasinhearingofthemarinesdrillingontheupperdeck。Hewasinvitedtogotobreakfastwiththeofficers，andIsatnexttohim，andasithappenedtobemyturntotreat，Ihadthesatisfactionofpouringdrinksdownhisthroat。ItoldstoriesaboutSpanishofficersallthetimetotherestofthemess，pretendingIwastellingthemsomethingelsebymakingdrawingsonthetablecloth，sothattheunhappyofficeronhisotherside，whowastalkingSpanishtohim，hadahardtimenottolaugh。ItoldZogbaumheoughttodrawapictureofhimatthemesstoshowhowwetreatedprisoners，andacompaniononeofthecaptainoftheCompeliton，whocameoverwithusontheDolphin，andwhoshowedusthemarksoftheropesonhiswristsandarmstheSpaniardshadboundhimwithwhenhewasinCabanasforninemonths。Theorderlymessedwiththebluejackets，whotreatedhiminthemosthospitablemanner。Hewasapoorlittlepeasantboy，halfstarvedandhollow-eyed，andsoscaredthathecouldhardlystand，buttheytookgreatprideinthefactthattheyhadmadehimeatthreetimesofeverything。Theyare，withoutprejudice，thefinestbodyofmenandboysyouwouldcaretosee，andashumorousandpoliteandkeenasanyclassofmenIevermet。

ThewarcouldbeendedinamonthsofarastheislandofCubaisconcerned，ifthetroopswerereadyandbroughtoverhere。

ThecoasttoHavanafortenmilesisbroadenoughforthemtomarchalongit，andtheheightsabovecouldbecoveredtheentiretimebythefleet，sothatitwouldbeabsolutelyimpossibleforanyforcetowithstandtheawfulhailstormtheywouldplayonit。Transportscarryingtheprovisionswouldbeprotectedbytheshipsonthegulfside，andthegunsatMorrocouldbeshutupintwenty-fourhours。Thisisnotadream，butthemostobviousandfeasibleplan，anditisadisgraceiftheWashingtonpoliticiansdelay。Astohealth，thisisthehealthiestpartofthecoast。Thetradewindsbloweverydayoftheyear，andthefevertalkisallnonsense。Thearmycertainlyhasdelayedmostscandalouslyinmobilizing。Thistalkofwaitingamonthissuicide。Itisaterribleexpense。

Itkeepsthepeopleonastrain，destroysbusiness，andthehealthofthetroopsatTampais，tomymind，inmuchgreaterdangerthanitwouldbeonthehillsaroundHavana，where，asScovelsays，thereisasmuchyellowfeverasthereissnow。

TellDadtourgethemtoactpromptly。InthemeanwhileIamhavingamagnificenttime。Iamburnedandhungryandlosingaboutatonoffataday，andIsleepfinely。TheothernightthePorterheldusup，butitwasastorythatnevergotintothepapers。Ihaven\'tmissedatricksofarexceptnotgettingontheflagshipfromthefirst，butthatdoesnotcountnowsinceIamonboard。

Ihaven\'twrittenanythingyet，butIamgoingtobeginsoon。

Iexpecttomakemyselfrichonthiscampaign。IgettencentsawordfromScribner\'sforeverythingIsendthem，ifitisonlyathousandwords，andIgetfourhundreddollarsaweeksalaryfromTheTimes，andallmyexpenses。Ihaven\'thadanyyet，butwhenIgobackandjointhearmy，Iamgoingtotravelensuitewithanassistantandthebestandgentlestponies；acourierandaservant，atentandasecretaryandatypewriter，sothatMileswilllooklikeasecondlieutenant。

WhenIcameouthereontheDolphinIsaidIwasgoingtoTampa，lyingjustontheprinciplethatitisnoothernewspaper-man\'sbusinesswhereyouaregoing。So，TheHeraldmanatKeyWest，hearingthis，andnotknowingIWAS

GOINGTOTHEFLAGSHIP，calledLong，makingastrongkickaboutthecorrespondents，Bonsal，RemingtonandPaine，whoare，orwere，withthesquadron。Stenielefttwodaysago，hopingtogetacommissiononthestaffofGeneralLee。SoyesterdayScoveltoldmeLonghadcabledinanswertoTheHerald\'sproteststotheadmiralasfollows:"ComplaintshavebeenreceivedthatcorrespondentsPaine，RemingtonandBonsalarewiththesquadron。Sendthemashoreatonce。

Theremustbenofavoritism。"

ScovelgottheadmiralatoncetocableLongonhisbehalfbecauseofhisservicesasaspy，butasRoosevelthaddonesomuchforme，Iwouldnotappealoverhim，andthismorningI

sentinwordtotheadmiralthatIwasleavingtheshipandwouldliketopaymyrespects。Sampsonisathinmanwithagraybeard。Helookslikeacollegeprofessorandhasveryfine，gentleeyes。HeaskedmewhyImeanttoleavetheship，andIsaidIhadheardoneofthetorpedoboatswasgoingtoKeyWest，andIthoughtIwouldgowithherifhewouldallowit。HeaskedifIhadseenthecablefromLong，andIsaidI

hadheardofit，andthatIwasreallygoingsoasnottoembarrasshimwithmypresence。Hesaid，"IhavereceivedthreedifferentordersfromtheSecretary，oneofthemtellingmeIcouldhavesuchcorrespondentsonboardaswereagreeabletome。Henowtellsmethattheymustallgo。Youcandoasyouwish。Youareperfectlywelcometoremainuntiltheconflictofordersisclearedup。"Isawhewasmadandthathewantedmetostay，oratleastnottogoofmyownwish，sothathecouldhaveagrievanceoutofit——ifhehadtosendmeawayafterhavingbeentoldhecouldhavethosewithhimwhowereagreeabletohim。CaptainChadwickwasinthecabin，andsaid，"PerhapsMr。Davishadbetterremainanothertwenty-fourhours。"Theadmiraladded，"ShipsaregoingtoKeyWestdaily。"ThenChadwickrepeatedthathethoughtIhadbetterstayanotherday，andmadeamotiontometodoso。SoIsaidIwould，andnowIamwaitingtoseewhatisgoingtohappen。

Outside，Chadwicktoldmethatsomethinginthewayofanexperiencewouldprobablycomeoff，soIhavehopes。Bythistime，ofcourse，youknowallaboutit。Ishallfinishthislater。

WebeganbombardingMatanzastwentyminutesafterIwrotetheabove。Itwasgreat。IguessIgotabeat，asTheHeraldtugistheonlyoneinsight。

DICK。

Flagship-OffHavanaApril30th，1898。

DEARFAMILY:

YoumustnotmindifIdon\'twriteoften，butIfeelthatyouseeTheHeraldeverydayandthattellsyouofwhatIamseeinganddoing，andIamwritingsomuch，andwhatwithkeepingnotesandall，Ihaven\'tmuchtime——WhatyouprobablywanttoknowisthatIamwellandthatmysciaticaisnottroublingmeatall——Motheralwayswantstoknowthat。OntheotherhandIamonthebestshipfromwhichtoseethingsandonthesafest，asshecanmovequickerandismoreheavilyarmoredthananysavethebattleships——Thefactthattheadmiralisonboardandthatsheistheflagshipisalsoaguaranteethatshewillnotbeallowedtoexposeherself。I

wasverybadlyscaredwhenIfirstcametoKeyWestforfearI

shouldbeleftespeciallywhenIdidn\'tmaketheflagship——

ButIhavenotmissedasingletricksofar——BonsalmissedthebombardmentandsodidStephenCrane——AllthepressboatswereawayexceptTheHerald\'s。Ihadtowritethestoryinfifteenminutes，soitwasnogoodexceptthatwehaditexclusively——

IamsendingashortstoryofthefirstshotfiredtotheScribner\'sandamarrangingwiththemtobringoutabookontheCampaign。IhaveaskedthemtoannounceitasitwillhelpmeimmenselyhereforitisasanhistorianandnotasacorrespondentthatIgetonoverthosemenwhoarecorrespondentsforpapersonly。IhavemadeIthinkmypositionhereverystrongandtheadmiralisverymuchmyfriendasarealsohisstaff。CraneontheotherhandtooktheplaceofPainewhowasexceedinglypopularwitheveryoneandithasmadeithardforCranetogetintothings——Iamhavingareallyroyaltime，itissobeautifulbybothnightanddayandthereisalwayscolorandmovementandthemostrigiddisciplinewiththemostheartygoodfeeling——Igetonverywellwiththecrewtoo，oneofthemgotshotbyarevolver\'sgoingoffandIaskedthesurgeonifImightnothelpattheoperationsothatImightlearntobeuseful，andtogetaccustomedtothesightofwoundsandsurgery——Itwasawonderfulthingtosee，andI

wasconfusedastowhetherIadmiredthehumanbodymoreorthewaythesurgeon\'sunderstoodandmasteredit——ThesailorwouldnotgivewaytotheetherandIhadtoholdhimforanhourwhiletheytookouthiswholeinsidesandlaidthemonthetableandfeltaroundinsideofhimasthoughhewereahollowwatermelon。Thentheyputhisstomachbackandseweditinandthenseweduphisskinandhewasjustasgoodasnew。Wecarriedhimovertoacotandhecameto，andlookedupatus。Wewereallbare-armedandcoveredwithhisblood，andthenoverattheoperatingtable，whichwasalsocoveredwithhisblood。Hewasgrayunderhistanandhislipswerepurpleandhiseyeswerestilldrunkwiththeether——Buthelookedatoursanguinaryhandsandshookhisheadsidewaysonthepillowandsmiled——"You\'secan\'tkillme，"hesaid，"I\'maNewYorker，byGod——you\'secan\'tkillme。"TheHeraldcabledforastoryastohowthecrewoftheNewYorkbehavedinaction。IthinkIshallsendthemthatalthoughthereareafewthingsthepeoplehadbettertakeforgranted——Ofcourse，wehaven\'tbeen"inaction"yetbutthefirstbombardmentmademenervousuntilitgotwellstarted。IthinkeveryonewasrathernervousanditwaschieflytoshowthemtherewasnothingtoworryaboutthatwefiredofftheU。S。guns。Theytalklikeveteransnow——ItwasmuchlessofastrainthanIhadexpected，therewasnostandingonyourtoesnorkeepingyourmouthopenorputtingwaddinginyourears。Itookphotographsmostofthetime，andtheyoughttobeexcellent——whathappenedwasthatyouwerethrownupoffthedeckjustasyouarewhenanelevatorstartswithasharpjerkandtherewasanawfulnoiseliketheworstclapofthunderyoueverheardclosetoyourears，thenthesmokecoveredeverythingandyoucouldheartheshotgoingthroughtheairlikeagiantrocket——TheshotstheyfiredatusdidnotcutanyiceexceptashrapnelthatbrokejustoverthemainmastandwhichremindedmeofGreece——Theothershotsfellshort——ThebestthingwastoseetheCaptainsofthePuritanandCincinnatifranticallysignallingtobeallowedtofiretoo——Alittleforthadopenedonusfromtheleftsotheypluggedatthat，itwasawonderfulsight，theMonitorwassweptwithwavesandthegunsseemedtocomeoutofthewater。TheCincinnatididthebestofall。Hergunswereasfastasthereportsofarevolver，aself-cockingrevolver，whenoneholdsthetriggerforthewholesix。WegotsomecopiesofTheLuchaonthePanamaandtheiraccountsofwhatwasgoingoninHavanawerethebestreadingIeversaw——TheyprobablyreportedtheMatanzasbombardmentasaSpanishvictory——Thefiringyesterdaywasverytame。Weallsataboutondeckandthebandplayedallthetime——Wedidn\'tevensendthementoquarters——Idonotbelievethearmyintendstomovefortwoweeksyet，soIshallstayhere。Theyseemtowantmetodoso，andIcertainlywantto——Butthatarmyistooslowforwords，andwelovethe"NotesfromtheFront"inTheTribune，tellingaboutthetroopsatChickamauga——Ibelievewhatwillhappenisthatachanceshotwillkillsomeofourmen，andtheAdmiralwon\'tdoathingbutknockhelloutofwhateverfortdoesitandlandapartyofmarinesandbluejackets——Eveniftheyonlyoccupytheplacefor24hours，itwillbeatthatarmyoutandthat\'swhatIwant。They\'llgetsecondmoneyintheCampaigniftheygetany，unlesstheybraceupandcomeover——IhavetheveryluckoftheBritishArmy，Iwalkedintoanopenhatchtodayanddidn\'tstopuntilIcaughtbymyarmsandthebackofmyneck。

ItwasverydarkandtheyhadopeneditwhileIwasinacabin。TheJackiewhosebusinessitwastowatchitwasworsescaredthanIwas，andIlookedupathimwhilestillhangingtotheedgeswithmyneckandarmsandsaid"whydidn\'tyoutellme？"Heshookhisheadandsaid，"that\'sso，Sir，I

certainlyshouldhavetoldyou，Icertainlyshould"——They\'reexactlylikechildrenandthereasonis，Ithink，becausetheyaresoshutofffromthecontaminationoftheworld。Oneoftheseshipsislikelivinginamonastery，andtheyareasdisciplinedandgentleasmonks，andasrecklessascowboys。

WhenIgoforwardandspeaktooneofthemtheyallgatherroundandsitonthedeckincirclesandwetalkandtheylistenandmakethemostinterestingcomments——ThemiddywhofiredthefirstgunatMatanzasisamodestalertboyabout18

yearsoldandcrazyabouthiswork——So，theCaptainselectedhimforthehonorandalsobecausethereissuchjealousybetweenthebowandsterngunsthathedecidednottoriskfeelingsbeinghurtbygivingittoeither——So，BoonewhowasatAnnapolisamonthagowastoldtofiretheshot——Wealltookhisnameandhehasgrownaboutthreeinches。WetoldhimalloftheUnitedStatesandEnglandwouldberingingwithhisname——WhenIwasalonehecameandsatdownonagullbesidemeandtoldmehewasverygladtheyhadlethimfirethatfirstgunbecausehismotherwasaninvalidandhehadgoneintothenavyagainstherwishandhehopednowthatshewouldbesatisfiedwhenshesawhisnameinthepapers。HewastoosweetandboyishaboutitforwordsandIamgoingtotakeasnapshotathimandputhispictureinScribner\'s——"heonlystandsaboutsohigh——"

DICK。

Iencloseasouvenirofthebombardment。Pleasekeepitcarefullyforme——Itwasthefirstshot"inanger"inthirtyyears。

TAMPA，May3rd，1898。

DEARNORA:

Wearestillhereandprobablywillbe。Itisamerrywar，iftherewereonlysomegirlsheretheplacewouldbeperfect。I

don\'tknowwhat\'sthematterwiththeAmericangirl——hereamI——andStenieandWillieChanlerandFrederickRemingtonandalltheboyofficersofthearmyandnotonesolitary，ugly，plain，pretty，orbeautifulgirl。Iboughtafineponyto-day，hernamewasEllalinebutIthoughtthatwastoomuchgloryforEllalinesoIdiffuseditoverthewholecompanybyre-christeningherGaietyGirl，becausesheissoquiet，alltheGaietyGirlsIknowarequiet。

SheneverdoeswhatItellheranyway，soitdoesn\'tmatterwhatIcallher。Butwhenthiscruelwarisover($6adaywithbathroomadjoining)Iamgoingtohaveanoilpaintingofherlabelled"GaietyGirltheKentuckyMarethatcarriedthenewsofthefallofHavanatoMatanzas，fiftymilesunderfireandRichardHardingDavis。"To-morrowIamgoingtobuyasaddleandaservant。Warisacruelthingespeciallytoarmyofficers。Theyhavetowearuniformsandarenotallowedtotakeofftheirtrouserstokeepcool——Theytakeoffeverythingelseexcepttheirhatsandsitinthediningroomwithouttheircoatsorcollars——That\'sbecauseitiswartime。Theyareterriblebrave——youcanseeitbythewaytheywearbouquetsontheirtunicsandcigarettebadgesandCubanflagsandbynotsalutingtheirofficers。OneGeneralcountedtodayandfortyenlistedmenpassedhimwithoutsaluting。Thearmywillhavetodoalotoffightingtomakeitselfsolidwithme。Theyaremountedpolice。Wehaveasentryhere，hesitsinarockingchair。ImagineoneofSampson\'sorDewey\'sbluejacketssittingdownevenonaguncarriage。WaittillI

writemybook。Iwouldn\'tsayawordnowbutwhenIwritethatbookI\'llgivethemlargespacerates。Iamwritingitnow，thefirstbatchcomesoutinScribner\'sinJuly。

toyouall。

DICK。

Duringtheearlydaysofthewar，Richardreceivedtheappointmentofacaptaincy，butontheadviceofhisfriendsthathisservicesweremorevaluableasacorrespondent，herefusedthecommission。Thefollowinglettershowsthatatleastatthetimemybrotherregrettedthedecision，butaseventsturnedouthesucceededinrenderingsplendidservicenotonlyasacorrespondentbutinthefield。

TAMPA——May14，1898。

DEARCHAS。

OnreflectionIamgreatlytroubledthatIdeclinedthecaptaincy。ItisunfortunatethatIhadnottimetoconsiderit。WeshallnothaveanotherwarandIcanalwaysbeawarcorrespondentinothercountriesbutneveragainhaveachancetoserveinmyown。Thepeopleherethinkitwastherightthingtodobuttheoutsidepeoplewon\'t。NotthatIcareaboutthat，butIthinkIwasweaknottochanceit。Idon\'tknowexactlywhatIoughttodo。WhenIseeallthesekidmilitiamenenlisteditmakesmefeellikethedevil。I\'venodoubtmanyofthemlookuponitasasortofaholidayandanoutingandlikeitfortheexcitement，butitwouldboremetodeath。ThewholethingwouldboremeifIthoughtIhadtokeepatitforayearormore。Thatisthefaultofmyhavinghadtoomuchexcitementandfreedom。Itspoilsmetomakesacrificesthatothermencanmake。WhicheverwayitcomesoutIshallbesorryandfeelIdidnotdotherightthing。

Lyingaroundthishotelisenoughtodemoralizeanybody。Wearemuchmoreoutofitthanyouare，andonegetscynicalandlosesinterest。OntheotherhandIwouldbemiserabletogobackandhavedonenothing。ItisaquestionofcharacterentirelyandIdon\'tfeelI\'veplayedthepartatall。It\'sallverywelltosayyouaredoingmorebywriting，butareyou？It\'saneasygametolookonandpattheotherchapsonthebackwithafewparagraphs，thatischeappatriotism。

They\'retakingchancesandyou\'renotandwhenthewar\'soverthey\'llbehappyandIwon\'t。Themanthatenlistsorvolunteersevenifhedoesn\'tgetfurtherthanChickamaugaorGretnaGreenandthemanwhodoesn\'tenlistatallbutmindshisownbusinessismuchbetteroffthanIwillbewritingaboutwhatothermendoandnotdoingitmyself，especiallyasIhadachanceofalifetime，anddeclinedit。I\'llalwaysfeelIlostincharacterbynotstickingtoitwhetherIhadtogotoArizonaorGovernor\'sIsland。IwasunfortunateinhavingLeeandRemingtontoadviseme。WetalkedfortwohoursinFred\'sbedroomandtheywerebothdeadagainstitandLeecomposedmytelegramtothepresident。Now，IfeelsureIdidwrong。

ShafterdidnotcareandtheotherofficersweredelightedandsaiditwasveryhonorableandmanlygivingmecreditformotivesIdidn\'thave。Ijustdidn\'tthinkitwasgoodenoughalthoughIwantedittooandImissedsomethingIcannevergetagain。Iamverysadaboutit。IknowalltheargumentsfornottakingitbutasamatteroffactIshouldhavedoneso。Iwouldhavemadeagoodaide，andhadIgotachanceI

certainlywouldhavewonoutandbeenpromoted。Thattherearefoolsappointedwithmeisnoanswer。Iwouldn\'thavestayedintheirclasslong。

DICK。

TAMPA，May29，1898。

DEARCHAS。:

Thecigarscame；theyareO。K。andagreattreatafterTampaproducts。CaptainLeeandIwentouttothevolunteercampstoday:Florida，Alabama，OhioandMichigan，GeneralLee\'spush，andithasdepressedmeverymuch。Ihavebeensorightaboutsomanythingstheselastfiveyears，andwaslaughedatformakingmuchofthem。NowallIurgedisprovedtobecorrect；nothingourmenwearisright。Theshoes，thehats，thecoats，allaredangeroustohealthandcomfort；one-thirdofthemencannotweartheregulationshoebecauseitcutstheinstep，andbuytheirown，andthevolunteersareliketheCubanarmyinappearance。TheGreekarmy，atwhichImadesuchsport，isafineorganizationincomparisonasfarasoutfitgoes；ofcourse，thereisnocomparisoninthespiritofthemen。OnecoloneloftheFloridaregimenttoldusthatone-thirdofhismenhadneverfiredagun。Theyliveontheground；therearenoraintrenchesaroundthetents，orguttersalongthecompanystreets；thelatrinesaredugtowindwardofthecamp，andalltherefuseisburnedtoWINDWARD。

Halfofthemenhavenouniformsnorshoes。Ipointedoutsomeoftheunnecessarydiscomfortsthemenwereundergoingthroughignorance，andonecolonel，aMichiganpolitician，said，"Oh，well，they\'lllearn。Itwillbeagoodlessonforthem。"Insteadoftellingthem，ortellingtheircaptains，hethinksitbestthattheyshouldfindthingsoutbysuffering。

Icannotdecidewhethertowriteanythingaboutitornot。I

cannotseewhereitcoulddoanygood，foritisthesystemthatiswrong——thewholevolunteersystem，Imean。CaptainLeehappenedtobeinWashingtonwhenthefirstManilaoutfitwasstartingfromSanFrancisco，anditwasonhisrepresentationsthattheygavethemenhammocks，andtookastoreofMexicandollars。TheydidnotknowthatMexicandollarsaretheonlycurrencyoftheEast，andwereexpectingtopaythemenindraftsonNewYork。

Isn\'tthatapitiablesituationwhenacaptainofanEnglishcompanyhappenstostrayintothewaroffice，andhappenstohaveagoodheartandbusieshimselftoseethatourownmenaresuppliedwithhammocksandspendingmoney。NoneofourofficershadeverseenkhakiuntiltheysawLee\'s，noracorkhelmetuntiltheysawmineandhis；now，naturally，theywon\'thaveanythingelse，andthereisnotanotheroneinthecountry。Thehelmetsourtroopswearwouldbesmashedinonetropicalstorm，andtheyaresolightthatthesunbeatsthroughthem。Theyarealsoaglaringwhite，andarecheapandnastyandmadeofpasteboard。Thefelthatsarejustasbad；thebrimisnotbroadenoughtoprotectthemfromthesunortokeeptherainofftheirnecks，andtheyaremadeofsuchcheapcottonstuffthattheygrowhardwhentheyarewetandheavy，insteadofsheddingtherainasgoodfeltwoulddo。

Theyhavealwaysurgedthatouruniforms，thoughnotsmartnor"forshow，"wereforuse。Thetruthis，astheyalladmit，thatforthetropicstheyareworsethanuseless，andthatinanyclimatetheyarecheapandpoor。

Icouldgoonforpages，butithastobewrittenlater；nowtheywouldonlythinkitwasanattackonthearmy。Butitissickeningtoseemenbeingsacrificedasthesemenwillbe。

ThisistheworstseasonofallinthePhilippines。Theseasonoftyphoonsandrainstormsandhurricanes，andtheywouldhavesentthemenoffwithoutanythingtosleeponbutthewetgroundandawetblanket。Ithasbeenagreatlessonforme，andIhaverubbertents，rubberblankets，rubbercoatsandhammocksenoughforanarmycorps。Ihavewrittennothingforthepaper，because，ifIstartedtotellthetruthatall，itwoulddonogood，anditwouldopenupahellofanoutcryfromallthefamiliesoftheboyswhohavevolunteered。Ofcourse，theonlyanswerisastandingarmyofahundredthousand，andnomorecallingonthepatriotismofmenunfittedanduntrained。

Itisthesacrificeoftheinnocents。Theincompetenceand，unreadinessoftheFrenchin1870wasnoworsethanourownisnow。Itisaterribleandpatheticspectacle，andthereadinessofthevolunteerstobesacrificedisallthemorepathetic。Itseemsalmostprovidentialthatwehadthisfalse-alarmcallwithSpaintoshowthepeoplehowutterlyhelplesstheyare。

love，DICK。

TAMPA，June9th，1898。

Well，hereweareagain。Talkofthe"RetreatfromOttawa"

I\'veretreatedmoreinthiswarthantheGreeksdid。Iftheydon\'tbraceupsoon，I\'llgoNorthandrefuseto"recognize"

thewar。IfeelIdeserveapensionandamedalasitis。Wehadeverythingonboardandourcabinsassignedusandour"warkits"inwhichwesetforthtakenoff，andwereinyachtingflannelsreadyforthefivedayscruise。Ihadthedevilofatimegettingouttotheflagship，astheycalltheheadquartersboat。IwentoutearlyinthemorningofthenightwhenIlastwroteyou。Istayedupallthatnightwatchingtroopsarriveandlendingahelpinghandandawordofcheertodispiritedmulesandmen，alsosegarsandcooldrinks，noneofthemhadhadfoodfortwenty-fourhoursandtheyellowFloridapeoplehavingrobbedthemalldayhadshutupandwouldn\'topentheirmiserableshops。Theyevenputsentriesoverthedrinkingwateroftheexpresscompanywhichisonlymakingaboutamillionadayoutofthesoldiers。Sotheirsoldierssleptalongtheplatformandtrucksrolledbythemallnight，shakingtheboardsonwhichtheylaybyaninchortwo。

AboutfourweheardthatShafterwascomingandanofficerarrivedtohavehisluggageplacedontheSeguranca。Ileftthemallonthepiercarryingtheirownbaggageandsweatinganddrippingandnoonehavingslept。Theirspecialtrainhadbeenthreehoursincomingninemiles。IhiredasmallboatandwentofftotheflagshipalonebutthesmallboatbegantoleakandI

bailedandthecoloredboypulledandthemenonthetransportscheereduson。JustatthesinkingpointIhailedacatboatandwetransferredtheAdmiral\'sflagtoherandalsomyluggage。Therestofthedaywespentonthetransport。Weleftitthismorning。Somearestillonitbutastheyareunloadingallthehorsesandmulesfromtheothertransportsfifteenhavingdiedfromtheheatbelowdeckandastheycannotputthemonagainunderaday，Iamupheretogetcoolandtostretchmylegs。Thetransportisallrightifitwerenotsoawfullycrowded。IamgladIheldouttogowiththeHeadquarterstaff。Iwouldhavediedontheregularpressboat，asitisthemenareinterestingonourboat。WehaveallthemilitaryattachesandLee，Remington，WhitneyandBonsal。ThereasonwedidnotgowasbecauselastnighttheEagleandResolutesawtwoSpanishcruisersandtwotorpedoboatslayingforusoutside，onlyfivemilesaway。

Whattheyneedwithfourteenshipsofwartoguardabottledupfleetandbyleavingtwenty-sixtransportssomeofthemwith1，400menonthemwithoutanyprotectionbutasmallcruiserandonegunboatisbeyondme。Thewholethingisbeyondme。Itisthemostawfulpicnicthateverhappened，youwouldn\'tcreditthemistakesthataremade。