第9章

ItisworsethantheFrenchatSedanamilliontimes。WearejustamateursatwarandaboutliketheIndiansColumbusdiscovered。Iamexceedinglypleasedwithmyselfattakingitsogoodnaturedly。IwouldhavethoughtIwouldhavegonemadorgonehomelongago。BonsalandRemingtonthreatentogoeveryminute。Milestellsmeweshallhavetowaituntilthosecruisersarelocatedorbottledup。I"mtiredofbottlingupfleets。IlikethewayDeweybottlesthem。Whatastorythatwouldhavemade。Twenty-sixtransportswithasmanythousandmensunkfivemilesoutandtwo-thirdsofthemdrowned。RemembertheMaineindeed!they"dbetterremembertheMainandbraceup。IfwewaituntiltheycatchthoseboatsImaybehereforanothermonthaswecannotdaregoawayforlongorfar。Ifwedecidetogowithaconvoywhichiswhatweoughttodo，wemaystartinadayortwo。Nothingyoureadinthepapersiscorrect。DidItellyouthatMilessentDorstaftermetheothernightandmademealongspeech，sayinghethoughtIhaddonesowellinrefusingthecommission。Iwasgladhefeltthatwayaboutit。Well，lotsoflove。I"mnowgoingtotakeabath。Godblessyou，thisisa"merrywar。"

RICHARD。

InsightofSantiago——

June26th，1898。

DEARCHAS。:

WehavecometoahalthereinacampalongthetrailtoSantiago。Youcanseeitbyclimbingahill。InsteadofwhichIamnowsittingbyafinestreamonacoolrock。I

havediscoveredthatyoureallyenjoythingsmorewhenyouarenotgettingmanycomfortsthanyoudowhenyouhaveallyouwant。Thatsoundsdullbutitismostconsoling。IhadabaththismorningintheserocksthatIwouldnothavegivenupforallthegooddinnersIeverhadattheWaldorf，ortheSavoy。Itjustwentupanddownmyspineandsentthrillsalloverme。ItismostinterestingnowandallthetroublesofthedulldaysofwaitingatTampaandthatawfultimeonthetroopshipareover。Thearmyisstretchedoutalongthetrailfromthecoastforsixmiles。Santiagoliesaboutfivemilesaheadofus。IamveryhappyandcontentandthebookforScribnersoughttobeaninterestingone。Itisreallyveryhardthatmydespatchesarelimitedto100wordsfortherearelotsofchances。ThefaultlieswiththearmypeopleatWashington，whogivecredentialstoanyonewhoasks。ToTheIndependentandotherperiodicals——innosensenewspapers，andtheygiveseventoonepaper，consequentlyweasaclassareapesttotheofficersandtoeachother。Fortunately，thesurvivalofthefittestisthetestandonlythebestmenineverysensegettothefront。Therearefiftyothersatthebasewhokeepthewireloadedwithrumors，sowhenaftergreatdifficultywegetthecorrectnewsbacktoDaiquireaSiboneythereisnoroomforit。Someofthe"warcorrespondents"haveabsolutelynothingbuttheclothestheystandin，andtheothershadtotakeupsubscriptionsforthem。Theygambledallthetimeonthetransportsandareensconcednowatthebasewithcardsandcountersandnothingelse。WhitneyhasturnedoutgreatattheworkandIamgladheisnotonadailypaperorhewouldshareeverythingwithme。JohnFox，WhitneyandIarelivingonWood"sroughriders。WeareverywelcomeandRoosevelthasusatHeadquartersbut，ofcourse，weseethemenweknowallthetime。

Yougetmorenewswiththeotherregimentsbuttheofficers，eventheGenerals，aresuchnarrowmindedslipshodmenthatweonlyvisitthemtopickupinformation。

WhitneyandIweretheonlycorrespondentsthatsawthefightatGuasimas。HewaswiththeregularsbutIhadthelucktobewithRoosevelt。Heissorebutstillhesawmorethananyoneelseandisproportionallyhappy。Stillhenaturallywouldhavelikedtohavebeenwithourpush。WewerewithinthirtyyardsoftheSpaniardsandhiscrowdwerenotnearerthanaquarterofamilewhichwasnearenoughastheyhadnearlyasmanykilled。Gen。Chaffeetoldmeto-daythatitwasWood"schargethatwontheday，withoutitthetenthcouldnothavedriventheSpaniardsback——Woodisagreatyoungman，hehasonlyoneideaorratherallhisideasruninonedirection，hisregiment，heeatsandtalksnothingelse。Heneversleepsmorethanfourhoursandalltherestofthetimeheismovingaboutamongthetents——Betweenyouandmeandthepoliceman，itwasaveryhottime——MaybeifIdrewyouamapyouwouldunderstandwhy。

WoodandGen。Young，byagreementthenightbeforeandwithoutordersfromanybodydecidedtoadvanceatdaybreakanddislodgetheSpaniardsfromLasGuasimas。Theywentbytwonarrowtrailssinglefile，thetwotrailswerealongthecrestsofalineofhillswithavalleybetween。ThedottedlineisthetrailweshouldhavetakenhadtheCubanstoldusitexisted，ifwehaddonesowewouldhavehadtheSpaniardsinthefrontbandrearasGeneralYoungwouldhavecaughtthemwheretheyexpectedhimtocome，andwewouldhavecaughtthemwheretheywerenotlookingforus。Ofcourse，theCubanswhoareworthlessineverywaynevertoldusofthistrailuntilwehadhadthemeeting。NooneknewwewerenearSpaniardsuntilbothcolumnswereontheplacewherethetwotrailsmeet。Thenourscoutscamebackandreportedthemandthecompanieswerescatteredoutasyouseetheminthelittledots。TheSpaniardswereabsolutelyhiddennotover25percentofthemensawoneofthemfortwohours——Iranoutwiththecompanyontherightofthedottedline，marked"ourposition。"IthoughtitwasafalsealarmandnoneofusbelievedtherewereanySpaniardsthissideofSantiago。Thegroundwascoveredwithhighgrassandcactusandvinessothatyoucouldnotseetwentyfeetahead，themenhadtobeatthevineswiththeircarbinestogetthroughthem。Wehadnotrunfiftyyardsthroughthejunglebeforetheyopenedonuswithaquickfiringgunatahundredyards。Isawtheenemyonthehillacrossthevalleyandgotsixsharpshootersandbeganonthem，thenthefiregotsohotthatwehadtolieonourfacesandcrawlbacktotherear。IhadawoundedmantocarryandwasinaverybadwaybecauseIhadsciatica，TwoofhismentookhimoffwhileIstoppedtohelpaworsewoundedtrooper，butIfoundhewasdead。WhenIhadcomebackforhiminanhour，thevultureshadeatenouthiseyesandlips。InthemeanwhileatrooperstooduponthecrestwithaguidonandwaveditattheoppositetrailtofindoutifthefiringtherewasfromSpaniardsorLenYoung"snegroes。

HewashitinthreeplacesbutestablishedthefactthatYoungwasuponthetrailonourrightacrossthevalleyfortheycheered。HewasamanwhohadrunontheGoldTicketforCongressinArizona，andconsequently，assomeonesaid，naturallyshouldhaveledaforlornhope。AblackguardhadjustrunpasttellingthemthatWoodwaskilledandthathehadbeenorderedtoSiboneyforreinforcements。Thatwashowthereportspreadthatwewerecuttopieces——AreporterwhoranawayfromYoung"scolumnwasresponsibleforthestorythatIwaskilled。HemeantMarshallwhowasontheleftofthelineandwhowasshotthroughthespine——Therewasalotofwoundedatthebaseandthefightinginfrontwasfearfultohear。Itwasasfastasahardfootballmatchandyoumustrememberitlastedtwofullhours；duringthattimethemenwereontheirfeetallthetimeorcrawlingontheirhands——

Notoneofthem，withtheexceptionof——，andaSergeantwhothrewawayhisgunandran，wentastepback。Itwaslikeplayingblindman"sbuffandyouwereit。IgotseparatedonceandwasscareduntilIsawthelineagain，asmylegwasverybadandIcouldnotgetaboutovertheroughground。IwentdownthetrailandIfoundCaprondyingandthewholeplacelitteredwithdiscardedblanketsandhaversacks。IalsofoundFishandpulledhimundercover——hewasquitedead——ThenI

borrowedacarbineandjoinedCapron"stroop，asecondlieutenantandhisSergeantwereincommand。Themannextmeinlinegotabulletthroughhissleeveandonethroughhisshirtandyoucouldseewhereitwentinandcameoutwithouttouchingtheskin。ThefiringwasveryhighandwewereinnodangersoItoldthelieutenanttoletuschargeacrossanopenplaceandtakeatinshackwhichwasheldbytheSpaniards"rearguard，fortheywereopeninretreat。

Rooseveltorderedhismentodothesamethingandweranforwardcheeringacrosstheopenandthendroppedinthegrassandfired。IguessIfiredabouttwentyroundsandthenformedintoastrategyboardandwentoffdownthetrailtoscout。IgotlonelyandwascomingbackwhenImetanothertrooperwhosatdownandsaidhewastoohottoruninanydirectionSpaniardornoSpaniard。Sowesatdownandpanted。

AtlastheaskedmeifIwasR。H。D。andIsaidIwasandhesaid"I"mDean，ImetyouinHarvardintheracquetcourt。"

Thenweembraced——thetenthcameupthenanditwasallover。

Myleg，thankgoodness，isallrightagainandhasbeensoforthreedays。Itwasonlytherunningaboutthatcausedit。I

won"thavetorunagainasIhaveahorsenowandtherewillbenomoreambushesandmoreoverwehave12，000menaroundus——BeingtogetherthatwayinatightplacehasmadeusallfriendsandIguessI"llsticktotheregiment。SendthistodearMotherandtellherIwasnotborntobekilled。Ioughttotellyoumoreofthecharmingsideofthelife——wearealldirtyandhungryandsleeponthegroundandhavegrandtalksoneverysubjectaroundtheheadquarterstent。Iwasnevermorehappyandcontentandneversowell。Itishotbutatnightitisquitecoolandtherehasbeennorainonlyafewshowers。`Nooneisillandtherehavebeennocasesoffever。I

havenotheardfromyouoranyonesincethe14th，whichisnotreallylongbutsomuchgoesonthatitseemsso。Lotsoflovetoyouall。

DICK。

AfterreadingthisoverIoughtperhapstosaythatthepositionoftherealcorrespondentsisabsolutelytheverybest。Nooneconfoundsuswiththemenatthebase，andnothingtheyhavetheydenyus。Wearetreatedimmeasurablybetterthanthepoorattacheswhoarestillontheshipandwhoiftheywerespiescouldnotbetreatedworse。ButforWhitney，Remingtonandmyselfnothingistoogood。Generalsfighttohaveusontheirstaffsandallthatsortofthing，soIreallycannotcomplain，exceptaboutthefactthatourrealnewsiscrowdedoutbythefakerintherear。

SANTIAGO。

HeadquartersCavalryDivision，U。S。Army。

Headqrs。Wood"sRoughRiders。

June29th，1898。

DEARDAD:

IsupposeyouarebackfromMarionnowandIhavemissedyou。

Ican"ttellyouhowsorryIam。Iwantedtoseeyoucomingupthestreetthissummerinyourknickerbockersandwithnofish，butstillhappy。Nevermind，weshalldothetheatresthisFall，andhavegoodwalksdowntown。IhopeMotherwillcomeupandvisitmethisSeptember，atMarionandsitonAllen"sandontheClarks"porchandwecanhaveChas。too。I

supposehewillhavehadhisholidaybuthecancomeupforaSunday。WeexpecttomoveuponSantiagothedayafterto-morrow，andit"sabouttime，forthetrailwillnotbepassablemuchlonger。Itrainseverydayatthreeo"clockforanhourandsuchrainyouneverguessed。Itisthreeincheshighforanhour。Thenweallgooutnakedanddigtrenchestogetitoutoftheway。Itisveryroughliving。IhavetoconfessthatIneverknewhowwelloffIwasuntilIgottosmokingDurhamtobaccoandI"veonlyhalfabagofthatleft。Theenlistedmenaresmokingdriedhorsedroppings，grass，rootsandtea。Someofthemcan"tsleeptheyaresonervousforthewantofit，butto-dayalotcameupandallwillbewellforthem。I"vehadasteadyrationofcoffee，baconandhardtackforaweekandonemango，tonightwehadbeans。Ofcourse，whattheyoughttoserveisriceandbeansasfriedbaconisimpossibleinthisheat。Still，everyoneiswell。Thisisthebestcrowdtobewith——theyaresowelleducatedandsointeresting。Theregulararmymenareverydullandnarrowandwouldboreonetodeath。WehaveWood，Roosevelt，Lee，theBritishAttache，WhitneyandaDoctorChurch，afriendofminefromPrinceton，whoisquitethemostcheerfulsoulandthefunniestIevermet。Hecarriedfourmenfromthefiringlinetheotherdaybackhalfamiletothehospitaltent。Hespendsmostofhistimecomingaroundheadquartersinanundershirtofmineandagoldbraceletfightingtarantulas。Iwokeuptheothermorningwithonesevenincheslongandashairyasyourheadreposingonmypillow。MysciaticabothersmebuthasnotpreventedmeseeingeverythingandIcandigrainguttersandcutwoodwithanyofthem。ItisveryfunnytoseeLarned，thetennischampion，whoseeverymovementatNewportwasapplaudedbyhundredsofyoungwomen，marchingupanddowninthewetgrass。WhitneyandIguyhim。To-dayasentryonpostwasreading"AsYouLikeIt"andwheneverIgodownthelinehalfthemenwanttoknowwhowontheboatrace——To-dayWoodsentmeoutwithadetailonapretenseofscoutingbutreallytogivethemachancetoseethecountry。Theywereallcollegeboys，withWillieTiffanyassergeantandwehadafinetimeandcouldseetheSpanishsentriesquiteplainlywithoutaglass。Ihopeyouwillnotworryoverthislongseparation。

Idon"tknowofanyexperienceIhavehadwhichhasdonemesomuchgood，andbeingwithsuchafinelotoffellowsisagreatpleasure。Thesceneryisverybeautifulwhenitisnotraining。IhaveacotraisedoffthegroundintheColonel"stentandamverywelloff。IfChaffeeorLawton，whoarethefinesttypeofofficersIeversaw，wereincommand，wewouldhavebeenfightingeverydayandwouldprobablyhavebeeninbythistime。ThisweathershowsthatHavanamustbeputoffafterPortoRico。Theycannotcampaigninthismud。

DICK。

SANTIAGO，July1898。

DEARFAMILY:

ThisisjusttoreassureyouthatIamallright。IandMarshallweretheonlycorrespondentswithRoosevelt。Wewerecaughtinaclearcaseofambush。Everyprecautionhadbeentaken，butthenativesknewthegroundandourmendidnot。

Itwasthehottest，nastiestfightIeverimagined。Weneversawtheenemyexceptglimpses。Ourmenfellallovertheplace，shoutingtotheothersnottomindthem，buttogoon。Igotexcitedandtookacarbineandchargedthesugarhouse，whichwaswhatiscalledthekeytotheposition。

IfthemenhadbeenregularsIwouldhavesatintherearasB——did，butIkneweveryotheroneofthem，hadplayedfootball，andallthatsortofthing，withthem，soIthoughtasanAmericanIoughttohelp。Theofficerswerefallingallovertheshop，andafteritwasalloverRooseveltmademealongspeechbeforesomeofthemen，andofferedmeacaptaincyintheregimentanytimeIwantedit。HetoldtheAssociatedPressmanthattherewasnoofficerinhisregimentwhohad"beenofmorehelporshownmorecourage"thanyourhumbleservant，sothat"sallright。AfterthisIkeepquiet。I

promiseIkeepquiet。Lovetoyouall。

RICHARD。

FromCubaRichardsailedwithourforcestoPortoRico，wherehisexperiencesintheSpanish-Americanwarcametoanend，andhereturnedtoMarion。HespentthefallinNewYork，andearlyin1899wenttoLondon。

Oneofthemostinteresting，certainlythemostwidelytalkedof，"sportingevents"forwhichRichardwasresponsiblewasthesendingofanEnglishdistrict-messengerboyfromLondontoChicago。Theideawasinspiredbymybrother"sgeneraladmirationoftheLondonmessengerserviceandhisparticularbeliefinoneWilliamThomasJaggers，afourteen-year-oldladwhomRichardhadfrequentlyemployedtocarrynotesandrunerrands。Oneday，duringacasualluncheonconversationattheSavoywithhisfriendSomersSomerset，RichardsaidthathebelievedthatifJaggerswereaskedtocarryamessagetoNewYorkthathecouldnotonlydoitbutwouldexpressnosurpriseatthecommission。

Thisconversationresultedinthebetdescribedinthefollowingletters。TheboyslippedquietlyawayfromLondon，butafewdayslaterthebetbecamepublicandthenewspaperswerefilledwithspeculationastowhetherJaggerscouldbeatthemails。Themessengercarriedthreeletters，onetomysister，onetoMissCecilClarkofChicago，whomRichardmarriedafewmonthslater，andonetomyself。

Asamatteroffact，Jaggersdeliveredhisnotesseveralhoursbeforeletterstravellingbythesameboatreachedthesamedestinations。ThenewspapersnotonlyprintedlongaccountsofJaggers"striumphalprogressfromNewYorktoChicagoandbackagain，butusedthesuccessofhisundertakingasatextformanyeditorialsagainstthedilatorymethodsofourforeign-mailservice。JaggersleftLondononMarch11，1899，andwasbackagainonthe29th，havingtravellednearlyeighty-fourhundredmilesineighteendays。Onhisreturnhewasreceivedliterallybyacrowdofthousands，andhisfeatwasgivenofficialrecognitionbyagoldmedalpinnedonhisyouthfulchestbytheDuchessofRutland。Also，lateron，atagardenfetehewaspresentedtotheQueen，andincidentally，stilllater，returnedtotheUnitedStatesas"buttons"tomybrother"shousehold。

Bachelors"Club，Piccadilly，W。

March15th，1899。

DEARCHAS。

IhopeyouarenotannoyedaboutJaggers。WhenhestartednooneknewofitbutthreepeopleandIhadnoideaanyoneelsewould，butthecompanysentittoTheMailwithoutmynamebutdescribingmeas"anAmericangentleman"——InstantlytheforeigncorrespondentswenttothemtofindoutwhoIwasandtowhomIwassendingtheletter——Itoldthecompanyitwasnoneoftheirdamnedbusiness——thatIemployedtheboybytheweekandthatIcouldsendhimwhere-everIchose。Thentheboy"sfathergotproudandwrotetoTheMailabouthisageandsotheygottheboy"sname。Mine，however，isstilloutofit，butinAmericatheyaresuretoknowasthepeopleonthesteamerarecrazyabouthimandKinseythePurserknowsheissentbyme。AfterhegetsbackfromChicagoandPhiladelphia，youcandowithhimasyoulikeuntilthesteamersails。Ifthethingistakenupasitishereandthefatisinthefire，thenyoucandoasyouplease——Imeanyoucantellthepapersaboutitornot——SomersetholdsoneendofthebetsandItheother。

Therearetwobets:onethathewillbeatthemailtoChicago，SomersetagreeingtoconsidertheletteryougivehimtoBruce，asequivalenttoonecomingfromhere。Theotherbetisthathewilldeliverandgetreceiptsfromyou，NoraandBruce，andreturnherebythe5thofApril——YouandBobbyoughttobeabletodowellbyhimifitbecomes，asIsay，sofarpublicthatthereisnopossibilityoffurtherconcealment——Youhavemypermissiontodowhatyouplease——

Heiscomingintomyemployassoonashegetsbackandassoonasthecompanygivehimamedal。

Overherethereisthegreatestpossibleinterestinthematter——AttheClubsIgoto，thewaitersallwaitonmeinordertohavethelatestdevelopmentsandwhenitwascabledoverherethattheCustoms"peopleintendedstoppinghim，indignationragedattheForeignoffice。

oflove，DICK。

89JermynStreet，S。W。

March——1899

DEARNORA:

Thisistobehandedtoyoubymyspecialmessenger，whoistoassureyouthatIaminthebestofhealthandspirits——KeephimforafewhoursandthensendhimontoChicago——Asheisdoingthisonabet，donotgivehimanywritteninstructionsonlyverbalones。Iamverywellandhappyandsendyouallmylove——JaggershasbeenrunningerrandsformeeversinceI

camehere，andamostloyalservitorwhenIwasill——OnhisreturnIwanttokeephimonasabuttons。Seethathegetsplentytoeat——Ifhecomesbackalivehewillhavebrokenthemessengerboyservicerecordbythreethousandmiles。

Personally，itdoesnotcostmeanythingtospeakof。ThedramatizationoftheSoldierscontinuesbriskly，andMaudeissendingGrundybacktheJackal，tohaveasecondgoatit。

Maudeinsistsonitsbeingdone——soIstandtowinalot。

RICHARD。

BeefsteakClub，9，GreenStreet，LeicesterSquare，W。C。Tuesday。

March——1899。

DEARMOTHER:——

ThefaithfulJaggersshouldhavearrivedto-day，orwilldosothisevening——Iamsureyouwillmakethepoorlittlechapcomfortable——Idoregrethavingsenthimonsuchajourneyespeciallysincethepapersheremadesuchaninfernalrowoverit——However，neitherofuswilllosebyitintheend——

IdinedwithLadyClarkelastnightandmetLordCastletonthereandheinvitedmeuptoDublinforthePunchtownRaces——

Ihaveagreatmindtogoandwriteastoryonthem——CastletonisagreatsportandverypopularathomeandinEnglandanditwouldbeapleasantexperience。KuhneBeveridgeisdoingabustofmeinkhakioutfitfortheAcademyandalsoforaprivateexhibitionofherownworks，whichincludesthePrinceofWales，andtheLittleQueenofHolland。

HaysHammondhasinvitedmedowntoSouthAfricaagain，withapromiseofmakingmyfortune，butIamnotgoingasittakestoolong。

DICK。

CHAPTERXII

THEBOERWAR

OnMay4，1899，atMarion，Massachusetts，RichardwasmarriedtoCecilClark，thedaughterofMr。andMrs。JohnM。ClarkofChicago。AfterthemarriageRichardandhiswifespentafewweeksinMarionandtheremainderofthesummerinLondonandAix-les-Bains。

MARION，May28th，1899。

DEARMOTHER:

Yousentmesuchagoodletteraboutthevisitofthethreeselectedchorusgirls。Butwhatwasbest，wasaboutyourwishingtoseeme。Ofcourse，youknowthatIfeelthattoo。

Iwouldhaveitsothatwealllivedhere，sothatDadcouldfish，andNoraandCecilcoulddiscusslife，andyouandI

couldjusttakewalksandchat。Butbecausethatcannotbe，wearenofurtherawaythanweeverwereandwhenthepaintoseeyoucomes，Idon"tletithurtandIdon"tkilliteitherforitisthesweetestpainIcanfeel。Ifsonswillgooffandmarry，orbewar-correspondents，ormanagers，itdoesnotmeanthatHomeisanythelessHome。Youcan"twipeouthistorybychangingthenameofaboulevard，assomebodysaidoftheFrench，andifIwereabletobeintwoplacesatonce，IknowinwhichtwoplacesIwouldbeherewithCecilatMarion，andatHomeintheLibrarywithyouandDadandTheEveningTelegraph，andNoraandVanBibber。YouwillneverknowhowmuchIloveyouallandyoumustnevergiveuptryingtocomprehendit。Godblessyouandkeepyou，andmylovetoyoueveryminuteandalways。

DICK。

LateinJanuary，1900，RichardandhiswifestartedontheirfirstgreatadventuretogethertotheBoerWar。ArrivingatCapeTown，Richardlefthiswifethereand，actingascorrespondentwiththeBritishforcesfortheNewYorkHeraldandLondonMail，sawthereliefofLadysmith。

AfterthishereturnedtoCapeTown，withtheintentionofjoiningLordRobertsinhisadvanceonPretoria。ButonarrivingatCapeTownhelearnedthatLordRobertsdidnotintendtomoveforthreeweeks，andsodecidedtosayfarewelltotheBritisharmyandtoreturntoLondoninaleisurelyandsightseeingfashionalongtheeastcoast。ItwasaftertheywerewellstartedonthisreturnvoyagethatRichardconceivedtheideaofleavingtheshipatDurban，goingtoPretoria，and，asheexpressedit，"watchtheBoersfightingthesamemenIhadjustseenfightingthem。"

R。M。S。ScotFebruary4th，1900。

DEARMOTHER:

AgreatchangehascomesinceIwroteyoufromMadeira。WearenowonSummerseasandhaveregulatedthedayssothattheypassverypleasantly——notthatwedonotwanttobeonland——Ineversomuchwantedit——Somersiswithusandissuchacomfort。Heisevenyoungerthanheusedtobeandsoquickandcourteousandgoodtempered。Heislikeaboyoffonaholiday——Ithinkheisverymuchinlovewithhiswife，butinspiteofhimselfheisgladtogetaholiday，andlikeallofushewillbesomuchmoregladwhenheishomewardbound。TheythreatenedtoshutusoutofouronlychanceofputtingfootonlandatMadeira——Inthefirstplace，weweresodelayedbythestormthatwearrivedateighto"clockatnight，sothatwemissedseeingitinitsbeautyofflowersandpalms。Andthenitwassoroughthattheysaiditwasmostunsafeforustoattempttogoashore。

ItwasagreatdisappointmentbutIurgedthateveryonelovedhisownlife，andifthenativeswerewillingtorisktheirstosellusphotographsandwickerbasketsitwasprobablysaferthanitlooked——Soweagreedtodietogether，andwithSomersgotourraincoats，andthethreeofusleapedintoarowboatpulledbytwoPortugesepiratesandstartedofftowardarowoflampsonaquaythatseemedmuchlowerthanthewaves。Theremainderontheshipwatchedusdisappearwithominuswarnings——Wereallyhadamostadventurouspassage——towardsshorethewavestossedusaboutlikealobsterpotandwejustmissedbeingrundownbyacoalbargeandescapedanupsetoverthebowanchorchainofaship。ItwassoclosethatbothSomersandIhadourcoatsoffandI

toldCeciltograbthechain——Butweweathereditandlandedatahighgangwaycutinthesolidrockthefirstthreestepsofwhichwereswampedbythewaves。Aropeandchainhungfromthetopofthewharfandamanswunghisweightonthisandyankedusouttothestepsastheboatwasonthewave。

Therainbeatandthewindroaredandbeautifulpalmslashedtheairwiththeirfronds——Itwasgrandtogetonshoreonceagain——Attheendofthewharfwewerehustledintoasledonsteelrunners，likeahearsewithcurtainsarounditanddrawnbybullocks——Thestreetswereallofmosaic，thousandsoflittlestonesbeingpackedtogetherlikecornonacob。Overthistheheavysledgewasdrawnbythebullockswhileasmallboyranaheadthroughthenarrowstreetstocleartheway——Hehadafeatherdustermadeofhorse"stailasabadgeofauthorityandheyelledsomestrangecryattheemptystreetsandclosedhouses。Anotherlittleboyinastripedjerseyranbesideandassuredushewasaguide。Itwaslikeapageoutofafairystory。Thestrangecartslidingandslippingoverthestoneswhichwereassmoothasice，andthecoloredhousefrontsandthepalmsandstrangeplants。Thedarknessmadeitallthemoreunreal——Therewasagovernor"spalacebuttressedandguardedbysentinelsinastrangeuniformandqueerlittlecafe"sundervines——andterracesofcannon，andatlastafunny，patheticlittlecasino。ItwassuchaqueerimitationofAixandMonteCarlo——TherewerechasseursandfootmeninmagnificentliveryandstuccowhitewallsornamentedwithsilkSHAWLS。Alsoaverygoodbandandanewroulettetable——

Cominginoutofthenightandtherainitwaslikeatheatreafterthe"darkscene"hasjustpassed——ThereweresomemostdignifiedcroupiersandthreeEnglishwomenandafewsadEnglishmenandsomeverywickedlookingnativesindiamondsandwhitewaistcoats。WehadonlyfifteenminutestosparesowebeganplayingbrisklywithtwoshillingpiecesCecilwithindifferentfortuneandSomerslosing——ButIwoneverytimeandthecroupiersgavemestrangenotesoftheBoncodePortugalwhichIputbackontheboardonlytogetmoreofalargernumber——IfeltgreatlyembarrassedasIwasnotarealmemberoftheclubandIhatedtoblowinoutofahurricaneandtaketheirmoneyandsailawayagain——SoIappealedtooneofthesadeyedEnglishmenandheassuredmeitwasallright，thattheywelcomedthepeoplefromthepassingsteamerswhogenerallyleftafewpoundseachwiththebank。ButthemoreIspreadthemoneythemoreIwonuntilfinallythewholeroomgatheredaround。ThenIsentoutandorderedchampagneforeverybodyandsparegoldtoallthewaitersandstillcashedinseventy-fivedollarsinEnglishmoney。Itwasprettygoodforfifteenminutesandwewentoutleavingthepeopleopen-eyed，andhittingthechampagnebottles——Itwasallapartofthefunespeciallyaswithallourgoldwecouldgetnothingforsupperbut"huevosfrite"whichwasalltheSpanishIcouldrememberandwhichmeantfriedeggs——ButwewereverywetandhungryandwegottheeggsandsomefruitandrealMadeirawineandthenrowedoutagainrejoicing。Thepiratesdemandedtheirpayhalfwaytotheboatwhilewewereonthehighseasbuttheyhadstrucktheverywrongmen，andI

neversawamutinyquelledsoabruptly——SomersandItoldthemwe"dthrowthemoverboardandrowourselvesandtheyunderstoodremarkablywell——Thenextdayweweretheadmiredandenviedofthosewhohadnothadthenerve"todaretoattempt。"ItwasoneofthebestexperiencesaltogetherweeverhadandIshallcertainlyputMadeiraonmysilvercup。

RICHARD。

AftertheirarrivalatCapeTown，whereRichardarrangedforhiswifetostayduringhisabsenceattheBritishfront，hestartedforLadysmith，sailingonthesamevesselonwhichhehadleftEngland。

February18th，1900

boardScot。

DEARMOTHER:

IgotoffyesterdayandamhopingtogettoBullerbeforeLadysmithisrelieved。IcouldnotgettogowithRobertsbecauseRalphhasbeenherefourmonthsandhasbornetheheatandburdenoftheday，soalthoughIonlycameinordertobewithRobertsandKitchenerIcouldnotasktohaveRalphrecalled——TheywantedmewithRobertsandIwanteditbutnoneofuscouldmakeupourmindstoturndownRalph。SoI

amgoinguponthissidetrackonthechanceofseeingLadysmithrelievedandofjoiningRobertswithBullerlater。

IshallbesatisfiedifIseeLadysmithfall。FortunatelyI

amtodoagreatdealofcablingforTheMaileverydayandthatcountsmuchmorewiththereadingpublicthanletters——

CapeTownisadusty，windriddenwesterntownwithamountainbackofitwhichonemansaidwasabadlypaintedbackdrop——

Theonlyattractivethingaboutthetownisthismountainandahotelsituatedatitsbaseinperfectlybeautifulgardens。

HereCecilissettled。IgotherasittingroomandabigbedroomandTheMailagentorPryorpaysher$150aweekandwilltakegoodcareofher。Itreallyisabeautifulandcomfortablehotelandgroundsandshehasmademanyfriends，andalsoIforcedapitchbattlewithawomanwhowasrudetoherwhenwevisitedthehospital——So，asthehospitalpeoplewereverykeentohavemeseeandpraisetheirhospitaltheyhavetakenuparmsagainsttheunfortunatelittlebounderandchampionedCecilandme。Cecilhadreallynothingtodowithitasyoucanimagine——SheonlylaughedbutIgavetheladylotstoremember。

OntheotherhandeveryoneisaskindandinterestedinCecilascanbe。Mrs。WaldronwhosesonisSecretarytoMilnerandhissecretaryweremorethanpolitetoeachofus。MilnerspentthewholeeveningweweretheretalkingtoCecilandnottotheladywehadhadtherowwith，whichwasapleasingtriumph。HesentmeunsolicitedamostflatteringpersonallettertotheGovernorofNatal，sayingthatIhadcometohimwithmystronglettersbutthathehadsoenjoyedmeetingmethathewishedtopassmeononhisownaccount。CecilaskedmewhatitwasIhadtalkedsomuchtohimaboutandIaskedherifitwerepossibleshecouldn"tguessthatofcourseI

wouldbetellinghimhowtorunthecolony。MyadvicewastobombardCapeTownandmakemartiallaw，fortheCapeTownersarethemostrotten，cowardlylotofrebelsIeverimaginedasbeingpossible。Heseemedsogladtofindanyonewhoappreciatedthatitwasaqueen"scolonyinnameonlyandsaid，"Mr。Davis，itisasbadasthis——Icantakeastrollwithyoufromthesegardens(wewereatthebackoftheGovernmentHouse)andattheendofourstrollwewillbeinhostileterritory。"

WespentthelastdayafterIhadgotmyorderstojoinBuller(whoseemedverypleasedtohaveme)callingontheofficialsforpassestogetherandtheywereinagreatstatefallingintotheircoatsanddressingguardforherandwereallsofriendlyandhearty。TheCensorseemstothinkIamasortofMatthewArnoldandshouldbewrappedincotton，sodoesPryorTheMailagentwhoapologizesforaskingmetocable，whichisjustwhatIwanttodo。Theyareverygenerousandarespendingmoneylikefreshair。IamtocableletterstoCapeTown，onlytosavethreedays。So，nowallthatisneededisforsomethingtohappen。Everythingelseisarranged。AllIwantistoseethreeorfourgoodfightsandabigstorylikethereliefofLadysmithandIamreadyandanxioustogethome。Ishallobservethemfrombehindananthill——Idon"tsaythistopleaseyoubutbecauseImeanit。ThisisnotmywarandallIwantistoearntheverygeneroussumsIhavebeenofferedandgethome。

WearejustoffPortElizabeth。Iwillgoonshoreandpostthisthere。Withalllove。

DICK。

Deal"sCentralHotel，EastLondon。

February20th，1900。

DEARMOTHER:

Wearestoppingateveryportnow，asthoughtheScotwereaferryboat。Wecameoverthesidetogethereinbasketswithaneatdoorinthesideandwerebumpedtothedeckofthetenderinalluntenderness。ThisismorelikeAfricathananyplaceIhaveseen。ThecactusandpalmsaboundandtheKaffirswearbrassankletsandbracelets。AmanatlunchatthishotelaskedmeifIwasR。H。D。andsaidhewasanAmericanwhohadgotacommissioninBrabantshorse——Hegavemethegrandestsortofasegarandapparentlyonhisrepresentationthehotelbroughtmetwobookstosign，marked"AutographsofCelebritiesoftheBoerWar。"Itseemedinmycaseatleasttobeprematureandhopeful。

GoodluckandGodblessyou。Thiswillbethelastletteryouwillgetfortendaysortwoweeks，asIamnowgoingdirectlyawayfromsteamers。ThisonereachesyoubyaspygentlemanwhoistogiveittoReneBullofTheGraphicandwhowillpostitinCapeTown——HeandalltheothercorrespondentsareabandoningBullerforRoberts。Let"emallgo。Thefewerthebetter，Isay。MyluckwillkeepIhope。

DICK。

ImperialHotel，Maritzburg，Natal。

Feb。23rd，1900。

DEARMOTHER:——

IreachedDurbanyesterday。TheyparadedthebandinmyhonourandplayedYankeeDoodleindefinitely——Ihadcorruptedthembygivingthemdrinkstoplaythe"BelleofNewYork"

nightly。TheEnglishofficersthoughtYankeeDoodlewasournationalanthemandstoodwiththeirhatsoffinahurricanebalancingonthedeckofthetenderononefoot——ThecityofDurbanisthebestIhaveseen。ItwasaspicturesqueastheMidwayattheFair——TherewerePersians，Malay，Hindoo，Babu"sKaffirs，Zulu"sandsoldiersandsailors。IwentonboardtheMainetoseetheAmericandoctors——oneofthemsaidhehadmetmeonWalnutStreet，whenhehadnearlyrunmedownwithhisambulancefromthePennaHospital。LadyRandolphtookmeovertheshipandwasverymuchpuzzledwhenallthehospitalstewardscalledmebynameandmadecomplimentaryremarks。ItimpressedhersomuchapparentlythatsheandtheAmericannursesIhadn"tmetonboardcametoseemeoffatthestation，whichwasveryfriendly。IhavehadahorribledayhereandgotupagainsttheBritishofficerinuniformandondutybent——Thechieftroublewasthatnoneofthemknewwhatauthorityhehadtodoanything——andIhadtositdownandtellthem。IwonderwithintelligenceliketheirsthattheirIntelligenceDepartmentdidnottellthemtheBoersfoughtwithwarclubsandspears。IboughtarippingponyandmyplanistocutawayfromallmymagnificentequipmentandtrytoovertakeBullerbeforehereachesLadysmithandsendbackfortheheavythingslater。Itisjustaquestionofminutesreallyanditseemshardtohavecome1500milesandthentomissitbyanhour——IarriveatChievelytomorrowatfive——thatisonlytenmilesfromwhereBulleristonight，sowereitnotfortheird——dregulationsIcouldrideacrosscountryandjointhembymiddaybutIbettheywon"tletmeandIalsobetI"llgetthereintime。Ofcourseyou"ll，knowbeforeyouseethis。Marelsburgisthecapitalanditschiefindustryisrickshaw"spulledbywildKaffi"s，withbeadsandsnakeskinsaroundthemandholesintheirearsintowhichtheysticksegarsandhornspoonsfordippingsnuff。Thewomenwearlessthanthemenandhavetheirhairdoneupinredfungus。

Well，lovetoyouall，toNoraandDadandChas，andGodblessyou。

DICK。

1900。

DEARDEARMOTHER:——

IamhereatlastandcountingthedayswhenIshallgetaway。

Wardoesnotsoothemysavagebreast。IfindIwantCecil，andJaggers，andMacklintowrite，andplaystorehearse。

WithoutCecilboredtodeathatCapeTown，Iwouldnotminditatall。IknowhowtobecomfortableandonmyseconddayI

beatallthesemenwhohavebeenherethreemonthsingettingmynewsonthewire。ForIamanewsmannow，andhavetocollecthorridfactsandhostsofcasualtiesandtofindoutwhetheritwastheDubblinsortheDurbansthatdiditandwhatitwastheydid。IwasinterriblefearthatIwouldbetoolatetoseethereliefofLadysmithbutIwaswellintimeandsawafightthefirstfewhoursIarrived。ItisterriblybigandoverwhelminglikeeightyofBarnumcircusesallgoingatonceineightyringsandveryhardtounderstandthegeography。TheTugelaislikeasnakeandcrossesitselfeverythreefeetsothatyouneverknowwhetheryouhavecrossedityourselfornot。EveryoneismostkindandIamascomfortableascanbe。IndeedIlikemytentsomuchthatIamgoingtotakeittoMarion。Ithaswindowsinitandthemostamusingtrapdoorsandpocketsinthewallsandclotheslinesandhooksandventilators——Itiscoloredalovelygreen——Ihavealsotwochairsthatfoldupandatablethatdoesnothingelseandabedandtwolanterns，3ponies，oneaBoerponyIboughtfor$12。fromaTommywhohadstolenit。Ihadtopay$125eachfortheothertwoandonehadasorebackandtheothergetslostinmysaddle。Butwarasthesepeopledoitboresonetodestruction。Theyareterriblydullsouls。Theycannotgiveanorderintelligently。

Therealtestofasoldieristhewayhegivesanorder。I

heardaColonelwitheightribbonsforeightcampaignsscoldaprivateforfiveminutesbecausehecouldnotseeasignalflag，andnooneelsecould。ItisnotbecomingthataColonelshouldscoldforfiveminutes。Fridaytheychargedahillwithoneoftheir"frontal"attacksandlostthreeColonelsand500men。Inthemorning——itwasanightattack——whentherollwascalledonlyfiveofficersanswered。

Thepropernumberis24。ACaptainnowcommandstheregiment。

Itissheerstraightwasteoflifethroughdoggedstupidity。

Ihaven"tseenaBoeryetexceptsomepoordevilsofprisonersbutyoucanseeeveryEnglishwhoisonahill。Theywalkalongtheskylinelikeshipsonthehorizon。Itmustbesaidforthemthatitisthemostawfulcountrytoattackintheworld。Itisimpossibletogiveanyideaofitsdifficulties。HoweverIcantellyouthatwhenIgetbacktothecenterofcivilization。DoyouknowIhaven"theardfromyousinceIleftNewYorkontheSt。Louis。AllyourletterstoLondonwentastray。Whatlotsyouwillhavetotellmebutdon"tletCharleyworry。I

won"ttalkaboutthewarthistime。Ineverwanttohearofitagain。

DICK。

LADYSMITH。March1st，1899。

DEARCHAS:

ThisisjustalinetosayIgotinherewiththefirstafteragallopoftwelvemiles。Keepthisformeandtheenvelope。

Withmyloveandbestwishes——

DICK。

LADYSMITH，March3，1900。

DEARMOTHER:

Thecolumncameintotowntoday，2200men，guns，cavalry，ambulances，lancers，navygunsandoxen。Itwasamostcruelassaultuponone"sfeelings。Thegarrisonlinedthestreetsasasalutingguardofhonorbutonlyoneregimentcouldstanditandtheothersallsatdownonthecurbonlyrisingtocheertheheadofeachnewregiment。Theyareyellowwithfever，theirteethprotrudingandtheskindrawntightovertheirskeletons。Theincomingarmyhadhadfourteendayshardfightingattheendofthreemonthscampaigningbutwererobustandtannedraggedandcakedwithmud。Astheycameintheycheeredandthegarrisontriedtocheerbackbutitwaslikeawhisper。

WinstonChurchillandIstoodinfrontofGen。Whiteandcriedforanhour。ForthetimeyouforgotBoersandthecause，orthelackofcauseofitall，andsawonlythesideofitthatwasbeforeyou，thestarvinggarrisonrelievedbymenwhohadlostalmostoneoutofeverythreeintryingtohelpthem。I

wasrathertoopreviousingettinginandlikeevery-oneelsewhocamefromoutsidegaveawayeverythingIhadsothatnowI"masbadlyoffastherestofthem。Yesterdaymyrationsforthedaywerefourbiscuitsandanounceofcoffeeandoftea，withcornwhichtheycallmealieswhichIcouldnoteatbutwhichsavedmyhorse"slife。HeisaBoerponyIboughtfromaTommyfortwopoundstenandhe"sworthbothoftheothertwoforwhichIpaid$125apiece。TomorrowthewagoncarryingmysupplieswillbeinandIcangetmillionsofthings。Italmostapallsmetothinkhowmany。Especiallycleanclothes。I"vesleptintheseforfourdays。IgotoffsomestorieswhichIhopewillreadwell。Ican"tcomplainnowthatIsawtheraisingofthissiege。ButIhopewedon"tstaystill。Iwanttoseealotquicklyandgetout。Thisisverysafewarfare。Yousitonahillandthearmydoestherest。Mysciaticaisnottroublingmeatall。LovetoyouallandGodblessyou。

DICK。

LADYSMITH，March4th，1900。

DEAR，DEARMOTHER:

TodayIgotthefirstletterIhavehadfromyousincewelefthome。Itwassuchhappinesstoseeyourdearsweethandwritingagain。Itwasjustlikeseeingyouforaglimpse，orhearingyouspeak。IamsohungryfornewsofNoraandChasandyouall。I

knowyou"vewritten，butthelettershavemissedsomehow。IsentyoursrightbacktoCecilwhoisverylonelyatpresent。

SomersethasgonetothefrontandJim——home——Blessedword!A

littlemiddyrodeuptometodayandbeganbysaying"I"mgoinghome。I"mORDEREDthere。Home——ToEngland!"HeseemedtothinkIwouldnotunderstand。Heprattledonlikeachildsayingwhatluckhehadhad，thathehadbeenbesiegedinLadysmithandseenlotsoffightingandwouldgetamedalandallthewhilehewas"justamiddy。""Butisn"titawfultothinkofourchapsthatwereleftontheship"hesaidquitemiserably。Itisabeastlydullwar。Thewholethingisso"class"andfullof"form"andtraditionandworryingover"putties"andetiquetteandrank。ItisthemostwonderfulorganizationIeverimaginedbutitislikeabeautifullocomotivewithoutanengineer。

TheBoersoutplaytheminintelligenceeveryday。Thewholearmyisofficeredbyoneclassandthatthedullone。ItisliketheHouseofPeers。Youwouldnotbelievethemistakestheymake，theawfulwayinwhichtheysacrificethelivesofofficersandmen。AndtheylettheBoersescape。IwatchedtheBoersforfourhourstheotherdayescapingafterthebattleofPietersandIasked，notbecauseIwantedthemcapturedbutjustasamilitaryproposition"Whydon"tyousendoutyourcavalryandlightartilleryandtakethosewagons？"Thestaffofficergiggledandsaid"Theymightkillus。"Idon"tknowwhathemeant；neitherdidhe。However，I"msickofitbutthere"snothingelsetotalkof。IhateallthepeopleaboutmeandthisdirtytownandIwishIwasback。AndI"mgoingtoo。I"llhavestartedbythetimeyougetthis。

Imeantocutoutofthissoonbutdon"timagineI"minanydanger。I"mtakingd——dgoodcaretokeepoutofdanger。NooneismoredeterminedonthatthanIam。DearMother，thisissuchadullletterbutyoumustforgiveme。Iwasneversohomesickandboredinmylife。ItwillbebetterwhenIgoouttomorrowinmygreententandleavethisbeastlyhole。I

likethetentlife，andthehorsesandbeingclean。I"vereallystarvedhereforfourdaysandhaven"thadacleanthingonme。GodblessyouallanddearNoraGodblessherandChasandtheLoneFisherman。

DICK。

OutsideLadysmith。

5thMarch，1900。

DEARESTMOTHER:

IwasabrutetowriteasIdidlastnight。ButIwassoblueinthatmiserabletown!!!Itwassofoulanddirty。ThetownsmeltasbadasJohnstown。Myroominthesocalledhotelstunk，thedirtwasalloverthefloorandtheservantshadtobepaidtodoeverythingeventobringyouatowel——andthenI

hadnoplacetowriteorbealone，andnothingtoeat——Thepoorsoulsatmytablewhohadbeeninthesiege，whentheygotalittlebitofsugaroracanofcondensedmilkwouldcarryitofffromthetableasthoughitwereadiamonddiadem——IdidthesamethingmyselfforIcouldn"teatwhattheygavemeandsoIcorruptedthecanteendealerandboughttinthings——I"vereallyneverwantedtobaccosomuchandfoodasIhavehere——togiveawayImean，foritwassomethingwonderfultoseewhatitmeanttothem。Threetrooperscameintothediningroomyesterdayandaskediftheycouldbuysometeaandwereturnedoutsorudelythatitseemedtohurtthemmuchmorethanthefactthattheywerehungry:IfollowedthemoutandbeggedthemtocomebacktomyverandahandhaveteawithmebuttheyatfirstwouldnotbecausetheyknewIhadwitnessedwhathadhappenedinthehotel。Theybelongedtoaverygoodregimentandtheyhadbeenstarvedforfourmonths。

ButinspiteoftheirindependenceIgotthemtomyporch。Ihadjustpurchasedatawfulpricesafewdelicacieslikesugarandtobacco，marmaladeandabottleofwhiskey。SoIgavethemtothemandIneverenjoyedanythingsomuch——ThepooryellowfacedskeletonsateinabsolutesilencestillfightingwiththeirprideuntilItoldthemIwasanAmericanandwasacanteencontractor"sfriend——ThenIgavethemsegarsanditwastoopitiful——Inourcolumn，ifyougiveamansomethingextrahesaysalotandswearsit"sthebestdrinkorthebestsegarorthatyou"rethebestchapheevermet——JustasIsayittothemwhentheygivemethings。Butthesestarvedbodiestriedtobeverypoliteandconversationaloneverysubjectexceptfood——whenIofferedthemthesegarswhichcouldonlybegotthenatadollartwenty-fiveapiece(theyhadnotcostmethatasIhadboughttheminCapeTownfortwocentsapiece!)

WhathasDadtosaytothatforeconomy？TheyacceptedthemquiteasthoughitwasinHavana——andthenleanedbackandwentoffintoopiumdreams——Imaginethefirstsegarafterthreemonths。Iamoutherenowonabluff，withtwotreesinfrontandgreathillswithnameshistoricalofthesiegeofLadysmith——nameswhichIrefusetolearnorremember——IamperfectlycomfortableandwereitnotforCecilperfectlycontent——Ifshewereonlyhereitwouldbeperfectlymagnificent——IhavearetinuethatwoulddocredittotheWarringtonsintheVirginians——ThreeKaffirboyswhorefusetoyieldtomysenseofthepicturesqueandgonakedliketheirlesseffetebrothers，twooxenandthreeponies，alittlepuppyIfoundstarvedinLadysmithandfedoncompressedbeeftablets。IcallherLadysmithandshesleepsbesidemycotandinmylapwhenIamreading——Ihavealsoabeautifultentwithtapewindowpanes，ventilators，pocketsinside，doorsthatloopupandredknobs；also，itisgreensothattheantswon"teatit。Alsotwotables，twochairs，abathtub，twolanterns，andacapecart——andafoldingbed——

InCubaIhadtwosaddlebagsandwasjustascleanandjustashappy。Oneboydoesnothingbutpolishmybootsandgaitersandharness，sothatIlookaswellastheofficerswhoarenotmuchgoodatanythingbutthat。ImusttellyouwhatIthinkisthesaddeststoryofthesiege——Theycouldnotfeedthehorses，sotheykeptpartofthemforscouting，parttoeatanddrove3，000ofthemtowardstheBoers。Being，welltrainedcavalryhorses，theydidnotknowhowtoeatgrass，soatbuglecallthewhole3，000cametrottingbackagainandsentrieswereplacedateverystreettostampedethembackintotheveldt——OnehorsefromonebatterymetoutintheprairieanotherhorsethathadbeenitsgunmateinanartilleryregimentfiveyearsbeforeinIndiaandthetwopoorthingscamegallopingbacksidebysideandpassedthesentriesandintothelinesanddrewupbesidetheirbattery。

Anotherhorsefounditsrideractingassentryandwhenthemantriedtodriveitawayitthoughthewasplayingwithitandkeptcomingbackandfinallythemanbroughtitintothecolonelandcriedandaskedifitmighthavehalfofhisrationsofcorn。GoodnightandGodblessyouallwithallmylove。

DICK。

March15th，1900。

DEARMOTHER:

IamonmywaybacktoCapeTown。ThisseemedbetterthanstayingwithBullerwhowillnotmovefortwoorthreeweeks。

IshalleithergostraightuptoRoberts，orwewillreturntoLondon。IhaveseenthereliefofLadysmithandgotaverygoodideaofitall，andIdonotknowbutwhatIshallquitnow。IstartedintoolatetodomuchwithitandasitisI

haveseenagreatdeal。Itisneitheraninterestingcountrynoraninterestingwar。ButIdon"thavetostayheretoobligeanybody。IfIdogouptoRobertsitwillonlybetostayforthreeweeksatthemostandonlythenifthereisfighting。Iwon"tgoifheisrestingasBulleris。Sothiswillexplainwhywestarthomesosoon。IamverygladI

came。IwouldhavebeenverysorryalwaysifIhadnot，butmyheartisnotinitas，ofcourse，itwasinourwar。

SometimestheyfightalldayusingsevenoreightregimentsandkillaterriblelotoffinesoldiersandcapturefortyBoerfarmersandtwowomen。ItisnotthekindofwarIcaretoreport。"Normeanto!"IcannotmakeabookoutofwhatlittleI"veseenbutIwillcomeoutabouteven。IthasbeenveryroughonCecil。TodayIwenttotheMaineandaskedLadyRandolphtogivemealiftdowntoCapeTownastheshipgetstheretwodaysaheadoftheCastleSteamer。

So，theywereapparentlyverygladtohavemeandI

amgoingonSaturday。IlikeitontheshipwhereIhavebeenspendingthedayasitisfuntakingcareofthewoundedandlisteningtotheirstories。IamtowriteanarticleforhernextAngloSaxonmagazineonthePassingoftheWarCorrespondent。TheideaisthathemusteitherdisappearaltogetherliketheVivandiereorbeallowedtodohiswork。

AsitisnowtheGovernmentforceshimupontheGeneralsagainsttheirwillandsotheygetbackbytakingitoutofhim。EithertheyshouldpersuadetheGovernmentthattheirobjectionstohimareweightyandsuppresshimaltogether，orrecognizehimasapartoftheoutfit。Idon"tmuchcarewhichasIcertainlywouldneveragaingowithanEnglisharmy。IamsorrythelettershomehavebeensodullbutI

havehadratherhardluckstraightthrough，andthedistancesaresoverygreatandthetimespentincoveringthemseemsverywasteful。IshallbegladIsawitbecauseitisthebiggestthingastoscalethatIeversawofthesort，andI

couldnothaveaffordedtohavemissedbeinginit。Itisthefirstbigmodernwarandalltheconditionsandweaponsarenew。Idon"tthinktheEnglishhavelearnedanythingbyit，becausethefaultliesentirelywiththeirofficerswhoareallornearlyallofoneclass。

DICK。

March25th，1900。

CapeTown。

ThisisjusttoexplainourplansandastheytakeabitofexplainingthisismeantfortheHousesofClarkandofDavis。

So，passiton——AfterLadysmithwasrelievedBullerdecidedhewouldnotmoveforamonth，soIcamebacktojoinRoberts。I

couldnotdothatonfirstarrivingbecausetherewasaMailmanwithhim。ImeanttodoitlaterasaHeraldman，andtoletTheMailgo。Butonarrivinghere，havingspentaweekincomingandhavingsoldallmyoutfitataloss，IfoundthatRobertsdidnotintendtomoveforthreeweekseither。SoI

decidedIhadseenenoughtojustifymyreturning。Therewereotherreasons，thechiefonebeingthattheEnglishirritatedmeandIhadsolittlesympathywiththemthatIcouldnotwritewithanypleasureoftheirwork。MysportingbloodrefusedtoboilatthespectacleofsuchamonsterEmpiregettingtheworstofitfromanuntrainedbandoffarmers——I

foundIadmiredthefarmers。SowedecidedtochuckitandgotoLondon。Iwouldnothavemisseditforanything。Iwouldneverhavebeensatisfied，ifwehadnotcome。Ihaveseenmuchofthecountryandthepeople，andofthearmyanditswonderfulorganizationanddiscipline。Ienjoyedtwobattles——andthereliefofLadysmithisoneofthethingstohaveseen，almostthebest，ifnotthebest。EveryofficerandcorrespondentagreesthatIgotthepickofthefightingandthe"beststory。"Bytheway，IbeatalltheLondonpapersingettingoutthenewsbyoneday。Atleast，soPryor，TheMailmanagertellsme。Thepaperwasverymuchpleased。WehavenowdecidedtocomehomebytheEastCoast。

ItwasCecil"sideaandwishandIwasonlytoogladtodoit。

Shesayswecertainlywillnevercometothiscountryagain。

Godhelpusifwedo——andthatitwouldbecriminaltospendseventeenblankdaysontheWestcoastwhenwecouldfillintheentiretripNorthontheEastCoastatmanyports。Itisarathercomplicatedtripasonehastochangefrequentlybutitwillbeagreatthingtohaveseen。CecilhasreallyseennothingatCapeTownandonthistripshewillbepaidforalltheboredomthathasgonebefore。Ihavebeenoverpartofitandamsure。DurbanaloneisoneofthemostcuriouscitiesI