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。