第10章
eversaw。ItisliketheMidwayattheFair。Iwanthertohavesomefunoutofthis。ShehasbeensounselfishandfineallthroughandIhopeIcanmaketherestoftheadventuretoherliking——ItissuretobeforafterDelagoaBayitisallrealAfricanottheshoddy"colonial"shopkeepers"paradisethatwehavehere。AndwearegoingtostopoffatZanzibarforsometimewherewehaveletterstoeverybodyandwhereCecilistodrawtheSultanandIamtoplayhimthe"TypicalTuneofZanzibar。"Youwillseebyourroutethatwespendtwodaysoradayatmanyplacesandsoshallgetagoodideaofthecountry。TheKonigisa5，000tonshipandwehavetwocabins——FromPortSaidwewillrunuptoCairotogetadinnerandthenovertoConstantinopletoseeLloydGriscomandthecitywhichCecilhasnevervisited。ThentoParisbywayoftheOrientExpress。ThenLondonandbackwithCharleytoAix。Ifeelsurethatonemorecoursetherewillcuremylegforalways。AsitisithasnottouchedmeonceevenduringthecampaignwhenIwaswetandhadtoclimbhills，andatLadysmith，whereIhadnofoodforaweek。Ofcourse，ifwegettiredonthewayupwemaygostraightonfromPortSaidtoMarseillesandsotoLondon。ItseemsfunnytolookuponPortSaidasbeingathome，butfromthisdistanceitseemsasnearNewYorkasBoston——YouwillgetthiswhenwereachZanzibarorlaterandwewillcablewhenwecan。
DICK。
ItwassaidatthetimethatRichardlefttheBritishforcesbecausethecensorswouldnotpermithimtosendoutthetruthaboutBuller"sadvance，andthattheEnglishofficialsresentedhisgoingtoreportthewarfromtheBoerside。Thefirststatementmybrotherflatlydenied，andthefactthatitwasthroughthedirectinterventionofSirAlfredMilner，assistedbytheeffortsofourconsulAdelbertS。HayatPretoria，thatRichardwasenabledtoreachtheBoercapitalseemstoprovethelatterchargeequallyfalse。Althoughthroughoutthewarmybrother"ssympathieswerewiththeBoers，andinspiteofthefactthatthepapersherepresentedwantedhimtoreportthewarfromtheBoerside，hepersistedingoingatfirstwiththeBritishforces。Hisreasonswerethathewishedtoseeagreatarmy，withallmodernequipmentinaction，andthatpracticallyallofhisEnglishfriendswerewiththeBritisharmy。"Myonlyreasonforleavingit"，hewrote，"wasthefactthatIfoundmyselffacingamonthofidleness。HadGeneralBullercontinuedhisadvanceimmediatelyafterhisreliefofLadysmithIwouldhavegonewithhiscolumnandwouldprobablyhaveneverseenaBoer，exceptaBoerprisoner。"
RoyalHotel，Durban，Natal。
April5th，1900。
DEARMOTHER:
Wearrivedhereto-dayandgotoffinaspecialtugtogether。
Wedidthebaskettrickallright，althoughthenexttimeitcamedownaswellraisedthetugandfracturedeveryoneinthebasketexceptSangreeandRogers，thetwoNewYorkcorrespondentswhowerehangingonbytheupperedges。CecillovedtheplacewhichistheMidwayPlaisanceofcitiesandwehadagoodlunchandmanagedtogetintothehotelwherethereareovertwentycotsinthereadingroom，andhall。TheCommandantobjectedtoourgoingtoPraetoriaandseemedinclinedtorefuseuspassestoleaveDurbanforDelagoaBay。HealsowasratherfreshtoCecil，soIcalledhimdownveryhard，andtoldhimifhecouldn"tmakeuphismindwhetherwewouldgoornot，I"dwiretosomeotherswhowouldhelphimtomakeuphismindquickly。HesaidIwasatlibertytodothat，soI
wentoutandburnedwiresoverallofSouthAfrica。Ashereadsallthetelegramshenaturallyreadmineandthenextmorninghewasashumbleandwhiteasaheadwaiter。Butbyteno"clockmywiresbegantobearfruitandhebegantocatchit。MilnerwiredhimtosendusonatonceandapologizedtousbyanotherwiresoalliswellandwegovouchedforbytheHighCommissioner。
DICK。
PRETORIA，May18th，1900。
DEARDAD——ANDOTHERSOFTHECLARKANDDAVISFAMILIES:
Ihavenothadtimetowritesuchalongletterasthisonemustbe，asIhavebeenworkingonmyLedgerandScribnerstories。
CecilandIstartedtothe"front，"whichwasthenMay4th，atBrandfortwithCaptainVonLoosberg，aGermanbaronwhomarriedinNewOrleansandbecameanAmericancitizenandwhoisnowincommandofLoosberg"sArtilleryintheFreeState。
Thenightweleft，theEnglishtookBrandfort，sowedecidedtogoonlyasfarasWinburg。ThenextmorningthetraindespatcherinformedusWinburgwastaken，sowedecidedtogotoSmalldeel，butthatwentduringtheafternoon，sowestoppedatKronstad。Fromthere，afteraday"srest，wewenttoVentersbergstation，androdeacrosstoVentersbergtown，abouttwohoursaway，andputupinJones"sHotel。ThenextdaywewentdowntotheBoerlaagersontheSandriverandmetPresidentSteynontheway。HegotoutofhisCapeCartandgaveCecilaroseandLoosberghisfieldglasses，whichCeciltookfromLoosberginexchangeforherownZeissglass，andhegavemeadrinkandaninterview。HealsogaveusalettertoSt。Reid，whohadestablishedanambulancebaseonCronje"sfarm，tellinghimtogiveCecilsomethingtosleepupon。The，BoerswereverypolitetoCecilandassherodethroughthedifferentcampseverymantookoffhishat。WewentbacktoVentersbergthatnightandabouttwoo"clockCecilcametomyroomandwokemeupwiththeintelligencethattheBritishwereonlytwohoursaway。Shehadheardthecommandantinformingthelandlady，agrandlowcomedycharacterfromBrooklyn，whohadtheroomnexttoCecil"s。Iinterviewedthelandladywhowassittingupinbedincurlpapers，andwithaWebleyrevolver。ShewasquitehystericalsoIarousedLoosbergwhowastoosleepytounderstand。ThecommandantcouldbeheardinthedistanceofferinghiskingdomforahorseandaCapecart。CecilandI
decidedourhorsesweredoneupandthatweweretooignorantofthetrailtoknowwheretorun。Sowedecidedtogotosleep。Inthemorningweconfessedthateachhadbeenafraidtheotherwouldwanttoescape，andeachwantedonlytobeallowedtogotosleepagain。Loosberg"sCapeCartandfivemuleshavingarrivedwepackedourthingsonitandstartedagainfortheSandRiverwherewespentthenightonCronje"sfarm。
Mrs。CronjehadtakenawayallthebeddingbutDr。ReidgaveCecilhisfieldmattressandImadeoneoutofrugsandpianocovers。InthemorningIfoundthattheironstrapsofthemattresshadmarkedmeforlifelikeagrilledbeefsteak。TherewereonlyReidandhisassistantsurgeoninthefarmhouseandtheyweregreatlyexcitedathavingawomantolookafter。
WebadefarewelltoLoosbergwhohadfoundhisartillerypush，andstartedoffinhisCapeCartwhichhewishedustouseandtakebackforhimforsafetytoDelHayatPretoria。Ourobjectivepointwastherailroadbridgeoverthesand。TheBoerswereononebank，theBritishaboutsevenmilesbackontheother，thetrailranalongtheBritishsideoftheriverwhichwassadofit。However，wedroveon，IridingandCecilandChristian，theKaffir，intheCart。WesawnooneforseveralhoursexceptsomeKaffirKraalsandwealmostranintotwoherdsofdeer。Icountedtwenty-sixinoneherd，theywereaboutaquarterofamileaway。WecametoacrossroadandIdecidedtoputbackaswehadlosttrackoftheriverandwerebearingstraightintotheEnglishlines。Justaswefoundtheriveragainandhadgotacrossadriftcannonopenedonourright。WethenknewwewereinbetweentheBoersandtheEnglishbutwehadnootherknowledgeofourgeographicalposition。Suchbeingthecasewedecidedtooutspanandlunch。
Out-spanningissettingthemulesandhorsesatliberty，in-spanningtryingtocatchthemagain。Ittakesfiveminutestoout-span，andthreehourstoin-span。WehadArmour"scornedbeefandLibby"scannedbacon。CecilcookedthebacononastickandweateitwithbiscuitscapturedbyourBoerfriendsatCronje"sfarmfromtheEnglishTommies。Aboutthreeo"clockwestartedoffagain，andwerecapturedbythreeBoers。Iwasridingbehindthecartandthrewupmyhands"thatquick，"butCecilcouldnothearmeyellingathertostoponaccountofthenoiseofthecart。IknewifIrodeafterhertheywouldshootatme，andthatifshedidn"tstop，astheywereshoutingathertodo，theywouldshoother。UnderthesetryingcircumstancesIsatstill。ItcausedquiteacoolnessonCecil"spart。HowevertheBoerscouldseeIwastryingtogethertohaltsotheyonlyrodearoundandheadedheroff。
Weweresogladtoseethemthattheycouldnotbesuspicious。
Still，aswehadcomedirectlyfromtheEnglishlinestheyhaddoubts。Wetoldthemwehadlostourselvesandthemoretheythreatenedtotakeustothecommandantthemoresatisfiedwewere。IinsistedontakingphotosofthemreadingCecil"spassport。Itannoyedthemthatwerefusedtobeserious，weassuredthemwehadnevermetanyoneweweresogladtosee。
Theyfinallybelievedus，andourpassportswhichdescribeCecilasmy"frau，"andartistofHarper"sWeekly，anideaofLoosberg"s。Weallsmokedandthenshookhandsandtheywentbacktotheirpositions。WenextmetChristianDeVetoneofthetwobiggeneralswhoisagrandcharacter。NothingcouldmatchthewonderfulpicturesquenessofhiscampspreadoutoverthesideofahillwiththebeardedfinefeaturedoldVanDyckandHugonotheadsundergreatsombreros。DeVetmadeusalongspeechsayingitwasonlytobeexpectedthattheGreatRepublicwouldsendmentohelpthelittleRepublics，buthehadnothopedthatthewomenwouldshowtheirsympathybycomingtoo。Allthiswiththemostsimpleearnestcourtesy。
Hesaid"NoEnglishwomanwoulddaredowhatyouaredoing。"Heshowedusafarinhouseonakopjeaboutfivemilesoffwherehesaidwecouldgetshelterandwherewewouldbenearthefightingonthemorrow。Werodeinthemoonlightforsometimebutwhenwereachedthehouseitwasfilthyandthepeoplewereinsuchterrorthatwedecidedtocampoutintheveldt。Wefoundagroveoftreesnearbyandastreamofwaterrunningbesideitsowemadeafirethere。Wehadonlyonebiscuitleftbutseveralcansofbaconandtea。Itwasgreatfunandwesatupaslateaswecouldaroundthefireonaccountofthecold。WecouldseetheBoerfiresinthemoonlightonthehillsandacrosstheSand，theEnglishflashlightssignallingallnight。Weputarubberblanketonthegrassandwrappedupinsteamerrugsbutbothofusdiedseveraltimesofcoldandevensittingonthefirefailedtowarmme。Wewereawakenedoutofacoldstoragesortofsleepbypom-pomsgoingoffrightoverourTheysoundedjustasdisturbingIfoundfromtherearaswhenyouareinfrontofthem。Theyarethemosteffectiveofallthesmallgunsforcausingyournervestoriot。WeclimbedupthehillandsawtheEnglishcomingintheirusualsolidformationstretchingoutforthreemiles。Wewentbackandgotthecartanddrovetoanearerkopje，butjustaswereachedittheBoersabandonedit。Roberts"scolumnwasnowmuchnearer。Wethendroveonstillfurtherinthedirectionofthebridge。IkepttellingCecilthatthefiringwasallfromtheBoersasIdidnotwantChristiantoboltandrunawaywiththecartandmules。ButCecilrememberedthepicturesinHarper"sWeeklyshowingtheshrapnelsmokemakingringsintheairandasshesawthesefloatingoverourhead，sheknewtheEnglishwerefiringonus，butsaidnothingforfearofscaringChristian。IhadpromisedtogetherunderfirewhichwasheronewishsoIsaidthatshewasnowwellunderfireforthefirstandthelasttime。Towhichshereplied"Pshaw!"Ineversawanyoneshowsuchselfpossession。Wehaltedthecartbehindadesertedfarmhouse，andsaddledherpony。Theshellswerenowfallingallovertheshop，andI
wasscaredtodistraction。Butshetookaboutfiveminutestoseethathersaddlewasproperlytightenedandthenwerodeuptothehill。AgaintheBoerswereleavingandonlyafewremained。Theywarnedhertokeepbackbutwedismountedandwalkeduptothehill。ItwasaveryhotplacebutCecilwasquiteunmoved。Weshowedhertheshellsstrikingbackofherandaroundherbutsherefusedtobeimpressedwiththedanger。ShewentamongtheBoersbeggingthemtomakeastandveryquietlyandlikeonemantoanotherandtheytookitjustinthatwayandsaid"Butweareverytired。Wehavebeendrivenbackforthreedays。Weareonlyathousand，theyaretwentythousand。"Someofthemonlysatstilltooproudtorun，toosicktofight!WhentheBritishgotwithinfivehundredyardsoftheartilleryItoldhershemustrun。AtthesamemomentBotha"smenamileonourrightbrokeawayinamadgallop，asthoughthelancerswereafterthem。I
finallygotheronherponyandweracedforVentersbergwithChristianagoodfirst。Hehadlostalldesiretoout-span。
AtVentersbergwefoundeveryoneharnessingupinthestreetandabandoningeverything。Weagainfeltthisuntimelydesireforfood，andhadlunchatJones"shotelonscrapsandCecilwentofftoseeifshecouldlootthecook，aseveryonebutherhadleftthehotelandasweneededoneinPretoria。A
despatch-ridercamerunningtomeasIwassmokinginthegardenandshoutedthatthe"Roinekes"werecominginforceoverthehill。Iranoutinthestreetandsawtheirshellsfallingallovertheedgeofthevillage。Theywereonlyaquarterofanhourbehindus。IyelledforCecilwhowashelpingthelootedcookpackupherownthingsandanyoneelse"sshecouldfindinasheet。IgatheredupadogandakittenCecilwantedandleftanoteforthenextEnglishofficerwhooccupiedmyroomwiththeinscription"I"dleavemyhappyhomeforyou。"Wethenputthecook，thekitten，thedogandCecilinthecartandIgotonthehorseandweletoutforKronstadatagallop。Weracedthethirtymilesinfivehourswithoutonehalt。ThatwasnotourcrueltytoanimalsbutChristian"swhowheneverI
orderedhimtohaltandletusrest，yelledthattheEnglesseswereafterusandgallopedon。Theretreatwasaterriblypatheticspectacle；forhourswepassedthroughgroupaftergroupofthebrokenanddispiritedBoers。AtKronstadPresidentSteynwhomIwenttoseeonarrivingorderedaspecialcarforme，andsentusoffatonce。Wereachedherethenextmorning，Christianarrivingadaylaterhavingkilledonemuleandoneponyinhiseagernesstoescape。WearegoingbackagainassoonasRobertsreachestheVaal。Theretheremustbeastand。Loveandbestwishestoyouall——
DICK。
June8th，1900。
OnboardtheKausler。
DEARMOTHER:
WeengagedourpassageonthisshipsomeweeksagonotthinkingwewouldhavetheEnglishnearPretoriauntilAugust。Butasithappenedtheycamesonearthatwedidnotknowwhetherornottowaitoverandseethementerthecapital。Idecidednot，first，becauseafterthatoneevent，therewouldbenothingforustoseeordo。Wecouldnotleaveuntilthe2ndofJulyandamonthunderBritishmartiallawwasverydistastefultome。BesidesIdidnotcaremuchtoseethementer，ortobeforcedtowitnesstheirrejoicing。Assoonaswegotunderwayandabouthalfthedistancetothecoast，itisatwodays"trip。WeheardsomanyrumorsofRoberts"scommunicationhavingbeencutoffandthatthewarwasnotover，thatwethoughtperhapsweoughttogoback——AswehavenonewssinceexceptthattheBritishareinPretoriawestilldonotknowwhattothink。
PersonallyIamgladIcameawayasIcandojustasmuchfortheBoersathomenowastherewheretheBritishcensorwouldhaveshutmeofffromcablingandmailsaresoslow。WiththelocalknowledgeIhave，Ihopetokeepatituntilitisover。
ButwhenIconsiderthemagnitudeofthemisrepresentationabouttheburghersIfeelappalledattheideaofgoingupagainstit。OneisreallyafraidtotellallthetruthabouttheBoerbecausenoonewouldbelieveyou——Itisalmostbettertogomildlyandthenyoumayhavesomechance。ButpersonallyIknownoclassofmenIadmireasmuchorwhoto-daypreservethebestandoldestideasofcharity，fairnessandgood-willtomen。
DICK。
June29th，1900。
DEARMOTHER:
WearenowjustoffCrete，andournextsightofthebluelandwillbeEurope。Itmeanssomanythings；beingalonewithCecilagain，insteadofonarafttouchingelbowswithsomanystrangers，anditmeansashopwhereyoucanbuycollars，andwheretheyputstarchinyourlinen。
AlsomanybeautifulladiesonedoesnotknowandmenineveningdressonedoesnotknowandgreentablescoveredwithgoldandlittlegreenandredbitsofivorywhereonepassesamongthetablesandwonderswhattheywouldthinkiftheyknewwetwohadfoundourgreatestfriendsintheBoerfarmers，inDutchStationMasterswhogaveusacornerunderthetelegraphtableinwhichtosleep，withNelsonwhokepttheTransvaalSteamLaundry，Col。LynchofthesteeragewhocomestothedividinglinetobegFrenchbooksfromCecil，andthatwehadcookedourfoodonsticks，drunkoutofthesamecupswithKaffirservantsandsleptonthegroundwhentherewasfrostonit。ItwillbesostrangetofindthattherearemillionsofpeoplewhodonotknowKomalipoort，whohavethoughtofanythingelseexceptburghersandroor-i-neks——ItseemsalmostdisloyaltotheBoerstobegladtoseenewspapersonlyanhouroldinsteadofsixweeksold，andtowelcomeallthetyrannyofcollarbuttons，scarfpins，watchchains，walkingsticksandgloveseven。IlovethembothandIcanhardlybelieveitistruethatwearetogotoarealhotelwithaliftandachasseur，whereyoucannotsmokeinthedining-room。AsforAix，thatIcannotbelievewilleverhappen——Itwasjustapartofone"shoneymoonandIrefusetocheatmyselfintothinkingthatwithinaweekIwillberidingthroughthelanesofthelittlevillages，drinkingredwineatBurget，watchingChasspreadcheeseovergreathunksofbreadandlisteningtothreebandsatonetime。AndthenthejoytofollowofHomeandAmericaandallthatisAmerican。EventheCustomHouseholdsnothingbutjoyforme——andthen"mineownpeople!"Ithasbeensixweekssincewehaveheardfromyouorlonger，nearlytwomonthsandhowImissyouandwantyou。
ItwillbeahappydaywhenDadmeetsmeatthewharfandI
canseehisblueandwhitetieagainandhisdearfaceunderthewhitehat——whereyouandNorawillbeIcannottell，butI
willseekyouout。Wewillbehappytogether——sohappy——Ithasbeenthelongestseparationwehaveknownandsuchalotofthingshavehappened。Itwillbesuchpeacetoseeyouandholdyouonceagain。
DICK。
AIX——LES——BAINS。
July6th，1900。
DEARFAMILY:
CecilandIarrivedlastnighttiredandaboutwornout——wehadhadamonthonboardshipandtwodaysinthecarsandwhenwegotoutatAixandfoundourroomsreadyandFrancoiswaiting，weshoutedandcheered。Itwasneversobeautifulasitlookedinthemoonlightandwewalkedalloverit，throughthesilentstreetschortlingwithglee。Theycouldnotgiveusoursameroomsbutwegotthesuitejustabovethem，whichisjustasgood。Theyweresoextremelyfriendlyandgladtoseeusandhadflowersinalltherooms。WehavenotheardawordaboutChasyet，asourmailhasnotarrivedfromParis，butIwillcableinaminuteandhear。Wecannotwaitanylongerfornewsofhim。IgotupatseventhismorningsoexcitedthatIcouldnotsleepandhavebeentothebaths，whereIwasreceivedlikethePresidentoftheRepublic。Infacteverybodyseemstohaveonlythekindestrecollectionsofusandtobegladtohaveusback。
Sucharestasitisandsocleanandbrightandgood——OnlyI
haveabsolutelynothingtowearexceptatwopoundflannelsuitIboughtatLorenzoMarquezuntilIgetsomebuiltbyaFrenchtailor。Imustwearabathrobeorabicyclesuituntilevening。Wehavenotbeentothehauntsofevilyetbutwearediningtheretonightandallwillbewell。Cecilsendsherlovetoyouall——GoodbyeandGodblessyou。
RichardandhiswifereturnedtoAmericaintheearlyfallof1900and，afteravisittoMr。andMrs。ClarkatMarion，settledforthewinterinNewYork。TheytookahouseinEastFifty-eighthStreetwheretheydidmuchentertainingandlivedaverysocialexistence，butIdonotimaginethateitherofthemregardedthewinterasasuccess。Richardwasunabletodohisusualamountofwork，andbothheandhiswifeweretoofondofthecountrytoenjoyanentirewinterintown。InthespringtheywentbacktoMarion。
MARION，MASSACHUSETTS。May，1901。
Wearrivedherelastnightinaglowingsunsetwhichwasfollowedbyagrandmoon。Thehousewaswarmandcleanandbright，withredcurtainsandopenfiresandeverythingwasjustaswehadleftit，sothatitseemedasthoughwehadjustcomeoutofatortuousbaddreamofasphaltandL。roadsandbadair。IwasneversogladtogetawayfromNewYork。
Outsideitisbriskandfineandsmellsofearthandmeltingsnowandthereisagrandbreezefromthebay。Wetookalongwalkto-day，withthethreedogs，anditwaspitifultoseehowgladtheyweretobefreeofthecellarandabackyardandatlargeamonggrassandrocksandrootsoftrees。IwantedtobottleupsomeoftheairandsendittoallofmyfriendsinNewYork。Itissomuchbettertosmellthanhot-houseviolets。Seatoncameonwithustohandlethedogsandtounpackandsoto-daywearenearlysettledalreadywithsilver，pictures，clothesandeaselsandwritingthingsallinplace。Thegramophoneiswhirlingmadlyandalliswell——Lotsandlotsoflove。
DICK。
ThefollowingwaswrittenbyRichardtohismotheronherbirthday:
MARION，MASSACHUSFTTS。
June27th，1901。
DEARMOTHER:
Inthosewonderfulyearsofyoursyouneverthoughtoftheblessingyouweretous，onlyofwhatgoodyoucouldfindinus。Allthattime，youwerehelpingusandothers，andmakingusbetter，happier，evennoblerpeople。Fromthedayyoustruckthefirstblowforlabor，inTheIronMillsontotheeditorialsinTheTribune，TheYouth"sCompanionandTheIndependent，withallthegoodthenovels，thestoriesbroughttopeople，youwerealwaysyearafteryearmakingthewaysstraighter，liftinguppeople，makingthemhappierandbetter。Nowomaneverdidbetterforhertimethanyouandnoshriekingsuffragettewilleverunderstandtheinfluenceyouwielded，greaterthanhundredsofthousandsofwomen"svotes。
Weloveyoudear，dearmother，andweKNOWyouandmayyourcomingyearsbemanyandasfullofhappinessforyourselfastheyareforus。
RICHARD。
CHAPTERXIII
THESPANISHANDENGLISHCORONATIONS
InterruptedbyfrequentbriefvisitstoNewYorkPhiladelphia，andBoston，RichardandhiswiferemainedinMarionfromMay，1901，untiltheearlyspringof1902。DuringthisyearRichardaccomplishedagreatdealofworkandlivedanidealexistence。Inthesummermonthsthereweregolfandtennisandanarmyofvisitors，andduringthewintermanyoftheirfriendscamefromNewYorktoenjoyamostcharminghospitalityandthebestofduckshootingandallkindsofwintersports。
LateinApril，theysailedforGibraltarontheirwaytoMadrid，whereRichardwastoreportthecoronationceremonies，andfromMadridtheywenttoParisandthentoLondontoseethecoronationofKingEdward。ItwaswhileonavisittotheRudyardKiplingsthattheyheardthenewsthatEdwardhadbeensuddenlystrickenwithaseriousillnessandthattheceremonyhadbeenpostponed。
11，St。James"sPlace，St。James"sStreet，S。W。
London。
June，1902。
DEARMOTHER:——
ThisisonlytosaythatattheKipling"sweheardthenews，andbeingtwonewspapermen，refusedtobelieveitandwenttothepostofficeofthelittlevillagetocallupBrightononthe"phone。Itwasverydramatic，thereallaureateoftheBritishEmpireaskingiftheKingwerereallyinsuchdangerthathecouldnotbecrowned，whilethesmallboyinchargeofthegroceryshop，wherethepostofficewas，weptwithhiselbowsonthecounter。Theysentmemyticket——unasked——fortheAbbey，earlythismorning，andwhileIwasundecidedwhethertokeepit——orsenditback，thiscame。So，now，IshallframeitasasouvenirofoneofthemostunhappyoccasionsIeverwitnessed。
Youcanformnoideaofwhatachangeithasmade。Itreallyseemstohavestunnedeveryone——thatistheusualandacceptedword，butthistimeitdescribesitperfectly。
Goodbye，DICK。
Duringthesummerof1903mymotherandfatheroccupiedacottageatMarion，andeverymorningRichardstartedthedaybyavisittothem。MybrotherhadalreadyboughthisCrossroadsFarmatMountKisco，andthenewhousewasoneofthefavoritetopicsoftheirtalk。ThefollowingletterwaswrittenbymymothertoRichard，afterherreturntoPhiladelphia。
September，1903。
Hereweareintheoldlibraryandbreakfastover。ThereseemedanawfulblankintheworldasIsatdownjustnow，andIsaidtoDad"ItsDick——hemustcomeTHISmorning。"
Youdon"tknowhowmyheartusedtogiveathumpwhenyouandBobcameinthatolddoor。Ithasbeensuchagoodmonth——everybodywassofriendly——andDadwassowellandhappy——butyourvisitswerethecoreofitall。Andourgooddrives!Wellwe"llhavelotsofdrivesattheCrossroads。
You"llcallatourcottageeverymorningandI"mgoingtotrainthepeacockstorunbeforethetrapandI"llbejustlikeJuno。
Thereisn"tascrapofnews。Itisdelightfullycoolhere。
M。
CHAPTERXIV
THEJAPANESE-RUSSIANWAR
Duringthefallandearlywinterof1903RichardandhiswifelingeredoninMarion，butcametoNewYorkaftertheChristmasholidays。Thesuccessofhisfarce"TheDictator"
hadbeenasourceofthegreatestpleasuretoRichard，andhesettleddowntoplaywritingwiththesameintensezealheputintoallofhiswork。However，forseveralyearsRobertJ。
Collierandmybrotherhadbeenveryclosefriends，andRichardhadwrittenmanyarticlesandstoriesforCollier"sWeekly，sothatwhenCollierurgedmybrothertogototheJapanese-RussianWarascorrespondentwiththeJapaneseforces，Richardpromptlygaveuphisplaywritingandreturnedtohisoldlove——theroleofreporter。Accompaniedbyhiswife，RichardleftNewYorkforSanFranciscoinFebruary。
February，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
Wearereallyoffonthe"longtrail"boundfortheboundlessEast。Wehaveacharmingdrawing-room，asympatheticporterandacourtlyconductordescendedfromoneofthefirstSpanishconquerorsofCalifornia。Wearrangedthebeinglateforlunchproblembyhavingdinneratfiveandcuttingthelunchout。BruceandNancameoverfordinnerandwehadaveryjollytime。Theyallaskedafteryouall，anddranktoourre-unionatMarioninJuly。Latertheyalltriedtocomewithusonthetrain。Itlookedsoattractivewithelectriclightsineachseat，andobservationcarandlibrary。
AreporterinterviewedusandMr。Clarkgaveusaboxofsegarsandabottleofwhiskey。Buttheywillnotlast，aswillDad"srazorsandyourhousewife。I"veusedDad"srazorstwiceaday，andtheystillareperfect。It"ssnowingagain，butwedon"tcare。TheyallcametothestationtoseeusoffbutnoonecriedthistimeastheydidwhenwewenttoSouthAfrica。Somehowwecannottakethistripseriously。ItissuchaholidaytripallthroughnotgrimandhumanliketheBoerwar。Justquaintandqueer。AtripofcherryblossomsandGeishagirls。Isendallmylovetoyou。
DICK。
SANFRANCISCO，February26th。
DEARMOTHER:
WegotinherelastnightatmidnightjustaseasilyasthoughwewerecomingintoJerseyCity。BeforeweknewitwehadseentheGoldenGate，andweresnuginthishotel。Todayassoonaswelearnedwecouldnotsailwestartedintoseesightsandwemadearecordandhungituphigh。WewenttotheCliffHouseandsawthesealsontherocksbelow，tothePark，themilitaryreservation，Chinatown，andthePoodleDogRestaurant。WealsosawtheLottamonument，theStevensonmonument，theSprecklesbandstand，theplacewheretheVigilanceCommitteehungtheunruly，andtonightIwenttoadinnertheBohemianClubgavetotheWarcorrespondents。I
madeadarnedgoodspeech。ThinkofMEmakingaspeechofanysort，butIdid，andIhadsenseenoughnottotalkaboutthewarbutthe"gloriousclimateofCalifornia"insteadandofallthewondersofFrisco。So，I
madeagreathit。Itcertainlyisoneofthefewcitiesthatlivesuptoit"sreputationineveryway。Ishouldcallitthemostinterestingcity，withmorecharacterbackofitthananycityonthiscontinent。Thereareonlyfourdeckroomsandweeachhaveone。Theboatissmall，butinspiteofthecrowdthatisgoingonher，willIthinkbecomfortable。I
knowitwillbethat，anditmaybeluxurious。
DICK。
OnwaytoJapan。
March13th，1904。
Aboutfourthisafternoonwesawanirregularlineofpurplemountainsagainstayellowsky，anditwasJapan。InspiteoftheSundaypapers，andtheinterminabletalkonboard，theguidebooksandmapswhichhadmadeJapannauseoustome，I
sawthelandoftheRisingSunwithjustasmuchofashockandthrillasIfirstsawthecoastofAfrica。WeforgotentirelywehadbeentwentydaysatseaandrememberedonlythatweweretenmilesfromJapan，onlyasfarasNewBedfordisfromMarion。Weareatanchornow，waitingtogoininthemorning。Wereitnotforwarwecouldgoinnowbutwemustwaittobepilotedoverthesunkenmines。Thatandtheflashlightsmovingfromthecruiserstenmilesawaygaveusourfirstideaofwar。To-morrowearlywewillbeoffforTokio，asitisonlyfortymilesfromYokohama。Ofcourse，I
maygetallsortsofnewsbeforeweland，butthatiswhatweexpecttodo。Itwillbegoodtofeelsolidearth，andtoseethekimonosandtemplesandgeishasandcherryblossoms。IamalmosthopingtheGovernmentwon"tletusgotothefrontandthatforaweekatleastCecilandIcansitinteahouseswithourshoesoffwhilethenesansbringusteaandthegeishasrubtheirkneesandmakebowstous。IamsendingyouthroughHarper"s，abookonHawaiiandoneofJapanthatI
havereadandlikeandwhichIthinkwillhelpyoutokeepintouchwiththewanderers。Withallmylovetoall。
DICK。
TOKYO，March22nd，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
The"situation"herecontinuestoremaininsuchdoubtthatI
cannottellofit，asitchangeshourly。Therearethree"columns，"sofarexistingonlyinimagination。Thatis，sofarastheyconcernthecorrespondents。Thefirstlothavechosenthemselves，andsohavethesecondlot。Butthefirstlotarenonearerstartingthantheyweretwoweeksago。I
maybekeptwaitinghereforweeksandweeks。IdonotliketoturnoutPalmer，althoughIverymuchwanttogowiththefirstbunch。OntheotherhandIampaidprettywelltogettothefront，andIamuncertainastowhatIoughttodo。Ifthesecondcolumnweretostartimmediatelyafterthefirst，wethenwouldhavetwomeninthefield，butifitdoesnot，thenCollierwillbepaying$1000。aweekforstoriesofteahousesand"festivals。"PalmerthreatenstoresignifItakehisplaceinthefirstcolumnandthatwouldbealosstothepaperthatIdonotfeelIcouldmakeup。IfitgetsanymorecomplicatedI"llwireColliertodecide。
Meanwhile，wearegoingouttodinnersandfestivalsandweride。IhaveagoodponythepaperpaidforCecilhashiredanotherandwefinditdelightfultoscamperoutintothecountry。Wehavethreeroomsinarow。Oneweuseforasittingroom。Theylookverywellandasitisstillcoldwekeepthemcheerfulwithopenfires。Wehaveatableinthedining-roomtoourselvesandtowhichwecanaskourfriends。Thefoodisextremelygood。GriscomandtheSecretarieshaveallcalledandsentpotsofflowers，andwearediningouteveryothernight。
Inthedayweshopandride。Butalldayandallnightwethecorrespondentsplotandslaveandintrigueovertheplacesonthecolumns。Igotmineonthesecondcolumnallrightbutnooneknowsifiteverwillmove。So，naturally，Iwanttobeonthefirst。TherowsaresoengrossingthatIhavenotenjoyedthecountryasIexpected。Still，Iameverlastinglygladwecame。
Itisanentirelynewlifeandaspect。Itcompletessomuchthatwehavereadandseen。InspiteofthebotheroverthewarpassesIlearnthingsdailyandweseebeautifulandcuriousthings，andareeducatedastotheEast，asnobookscouldhavedoneitforus。JohnBasswhowasmycomradeinarmsinGreeceandhiswifearehere。Theyaretheverybest。AlsoweseeLloyddaily，andthehotelisfullofamusingmen，whoaretryingtogettothefront。Ofcourse，weknowlessofthewarthanyoudo。NoneofthenewsfromCheefoo，noneofthe"unauthorized"newsreachesus。WereitnotforourownsquabbleswewouldnotknownotonlythatthecountrywasatwarbutnoteventhatwarexistedANYWHEREintheworld。Wearehereentirelyentouristanditcannotbehelped。ThemenwhotriedtogowiththeRussiansareequallyunfortunate。
ThinkofusaswanderingaroundeachwithacopyofMurrayseeingsights。Thatisallwereallydo，Allmylove。
DICK。
YOKOHAMA——April2，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
Ijustgotyourletterdatedthe28thofFebruaryandthedaysfollowinginwhichyouworriedovermeintheicecoatedtrenchesofKorea。IreaditinarickshawinawarmsunonmywaytobuyfavorsforadinnertoGriscom。Wehavehadthreewarmdaysandnodoubtthesunwillbeoutsoon。Thelossofthesun，though，isnogreatone。WehavelotsofpleasuresandlotsoftroublesinspiteoftheSun。Yesterdaythefirstbatchofcorrespondentsweresentontheirway。I
doubtiftheywillgetanyfurtherthanChemulpobuttheirgoingcheeredtheatmospherelikeastorminsummer。ThediplomatsandJapaneseweregladtogetridofthem，theyweredelightedtobeoff。Somehadbeenhere58days，andwealllookedatitasagoodsignasitnowputsus"next。"ButaftertheyhadgoneitwasprettyblueforsomeofthemwereasgoodfriendsasIwant。IknowfewmenIlikeaswellasI
doJohnBass。Manyofthemwereintenselyinteresting。Itwas，byallodds，thecrowdonewouldhavewishedtogowith。
Asitis，IsuspectweallwillmeetagainandthatthetwocolumnswillbemergedontheYalu。Noneoftheattacheshavebeenallowedtogo，soitreallyisgreatluckforthecorrespondents。TellChasIstillambuyingmyKit。It"sprettynearlyreadynow。IbeganinNewYorkandkeptoninBoston，SanFrancisco，andhere。ItalwayswasmyboastthatIhadthemostcompletekitintheworld，andinspiteofCharley"sjeersatmylackofpreparednesseverybodyherevoteditthegreatesteverseen。ForthelasttendaysalltheJapsaddlers，tentmakersandtinsmithshavebeencopyingit。
DICK。
TOKIO——May2，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
Today，wewalkedintoournewhouseandtomorrowwewillsettledownthere。Werentedthefurnitureforthetwounfurnishedrooms；knives，forks，spoons，chinaforthetableandextrasfor35dollarsgoldfortwomonths。Ittooksixmentobringthethingsincarts。Theygotnothing。
Yesterday，Itooktworickshawmenfromhalfpasttwelvetohalfpastfive。Outofthattimetheyranandpushedmefortwosolidhours。Theirpriceforthefivehourswaseightycentsgold。WhatyouwouldpayacabmantodriveyoufromtheWaldorftoMartin"s。Iwishyoucouldseeourmenage。Suchbeautifulpersonsingreysilkkimonoswhobow，andbowandslipandslideinspotlesstornwhitestockingswithonebigtoe。Theymakeyouashamedofyourselfforwalkingonyourowncarpetinyourownshoes。TodaywegotthefirstnewsofthebattleontheYalu，thebattleofApril26-30th。I
supposePalmerandBasssawit；andItrytobegladIdidwhatwasrightbyCollier"sinsteadofformyself。ButI
don"twanttoloveanotherpaper。Isupposetherewillbeotherfightsbutthatonewasthefirst，anditmusthavebeenwonderful。Onthe4thweexpecttobeonourwaytoKiotowithLloydandhiswifeandJohnFox。Bythattimeweexpecttobesettledinthenewhouse。
DICK。
TOKIO，May22nd，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
Youwillbegladtohearthatthecorrespondentsatthefrontarenotallowedwithintwoandahalfmilesofthefiringline。
ThisIamsureyouwillapprove。Theirtalesofwoehavejustbeenreceivedhere，andtheycertainlyarehavingahardtime。
TheonethingtheyallhopeforisthattheJapswillorderthemhome。Mytemperisvileto-day，asIcannotenjoythegentlepleasuresofthistownanylongerandwiththislongtriptoPortArthurbeforeIcanturntowardshome。Iamascrossasasickbear。WewereatYokohamawhenyourlastletterscameandtheywereagreatpleasure。IgotsplendidnewsofTheDictator。YesterdayweallwenttoYokohama。TherearefourwildAmericanboysherejustoutofHarvardwhostartedthecryof"PingYang"forthe"PingYannigans"theybeingthe"Yannigans。"Theyhelptomakethingsverylivelyandareaffectionatelyregardedbyallclasses。Yesterday，theyandFoxandCecilandIwenttotheraces，withfiverickshaboyseach，andeverybodylosthismoneyexceptmyself。Butitwasgreatfun。Itrainedlikeaseive，andallthegentlemenridersfelloff，andeverytimewewonmoneyourthirtyrickshamenwhowouldtellwhenwewonbywatchingatwhichwindowwehadbet，wouldcheerusandsalaamuntiltosaveourfaceswehadtoscatterlargesses。EganturnedupintheeveninganddinedwithJohnandCecilandmeintheGrandHotelandtoldusfirstofallthestorythecorrespondentshadbroughtbacktoKobbeforwhicheveryonefromtheGovernmentdownhasbeenwaiting。Itwouldmakelivelyreadingifanyofusdaredtowriteit。To-dayhemadehisproteststoFukushimaaswemappedthemoutlastnightandthesecondlotwillIexpectbetreatedbetter。But，asthefirstlotweretheimportantmenrepresentingtheimportantsyndicatestheharm，fortheJaps，hasbeendone。Ofcourse，muchtheydoisthroughnotknowingourpointsofview。Tothemnoneofusisofanyconsequenceexceptthatheisanuisance，andwhiletheyareconversationallyperfectinpoliteness，theregulationstheyinflictaretooinsulting。
However，youdon"tcareaboutthat，andneitherdoI。IamgoingtoearnmymoneyifIpossiblycan，andcomehome。
DICK。
TOKIO，June13th，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
WegaveafarewelldinnerlastnighttothePingYanniganstwoofwhomleftontheNavyexpeditionandanotheroneto-morrowforGod"scountry。TherewereeightmenandwehadnewlanternspaintedwiththearmsofCoreaandthemottoofthePingYannigans。Alsomanyflags。AllbuttheJapaneseflag。
Oneofthemwithasideglanceattheservantssaid，"Gentle-
manandLady:Iproposeatoast，JapanfortheJapaneseandtheJapaneseforJapan。"Weallknewwhathemeantbuttheservantsweregreatlypleased。JackLondonturnedupto-dayonhiswayhome。Ilikedhimverymuch。Heisverysimpleandmodestandgaveyouatremendousimpressionofvitalityandpower。Heisverybitteragainstthewonderfullittlepeopleandsayshecarriesawaywithhimonlyafeelingofirritation。ButItoldhimthatprobablywouldsoonwearoffandhewouldrememberonlythepleasantthings。Ididenvyhimso，goinghomeafterhavingseenafightandInotyetstarted。StillTHISTIMEwemaygetoff。Yokoyamathecontractortakesourstuffonthe16th，andsowefeelitisencouragingtohaveourluggageatthefrontevenifwearehere。
DICK。
YOKOHAMA，July26th，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
Wegaveinourpassesto-day，andsailto-morrowatfive。
TheysaywearenottoseePortArthurfallbutaretobetakenuptoOku"sarmy。Thatmeanswemissthe"popular"
story，andmayhavetowaitaroundseveralweeksbeforeweseetheotherbigfight。TheypromisedusPortArthurbutthatisreasonenoughforbelievingtheydonotintendweshallseeitatall。JohnandIarehereataJapanesehotel，theoneLiHungChangoccupiedwhenhecameovertoarrangethetreatybetweenChinaandJapan。Itisaverybeautifulhouse，thebestIhaveseenofrealJapaneseandthegardenandviewoftheharborismagnificent。IwishCecilcouldseeittoo，butIknowshewouldnotcareforaroomwhichisasfreetothepublicviewastheporchatMarion。Ithas48matsandasamatis3x5youcanworkitout。Weeat，sleepanddressinthisroomanditisliketryingtobeathomeontopofaChickeringGrand。Butitisverybeautifulandthemoonlightisfineandsaddening。Nooneofushastheleastinterestinthewarorinwhatwemayseeorbekeptfromseeing。Wehavebeen"overtrained"andnotevenasiegeofLondoncouldholdourthoughtsfromhome。IhavejustmissedthemailwhichwouldhavetoldmeyouwereatMarion。Ishouldsolovetohaveheardfromyoufromthere。IdonotthinkyouwillfindtheChurchhouseuncomfortable；andyoucanalwaysrunacrosstheroadwhenthetrafficisnottoogreat，andchatwithBenjamin。IdohopethatDadwillhavegotsuchgoodhealthfromMarionandsuchlashersoffish。IgotagoodletterfromCharlesandIcertainlyfeelguiltyatputtingextraworkonamanasbusyashe。HadIknownhewastherealjudgeofthoseprizestoriesIwouldhavesenthimonemyselfandgivenhimthenameofit。Well，goodbyeforalittletime。Wegoonboardinafewhours，andafterthateverythingIwriteyouisreadbytheCensorsoIshallnotsayanythingthatwouldgratifytheircuriosity。Theythinkitisunmanlytowritefromthefieldtoone"sfamilyandtheyoungprincesforbadetheirimperialspousesfromwritingthemuntilthewarisover。
However，notbeinganimperialSamaaributahomeloving，familylovingAmerican，Ishallmissnothearingverymuch，andnotbeingabletotellyouallhowIloveyou。
DICK。
DALNY，July27th，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
WeleftShimonosekithreedaysagoandhavehadverypleasantgoingontheHeijoMaruasmallbutwellrunshipof1，500
tons。FoxandIgotoneofthetwobestroomsandIhavebeenverycomfortable。Weareatanchornowataplaceofnointerestexceptforitssunsets。
WehavejustbeentoldastheanchorisbeingloweredthatwecansendlettersbackbytheIsland，soIcanjustdashthisoffbeforeleaving。WehavereachedDalnyandIhavejustheardthefirstshotfiredwhichwastosendmehome。AlltheotherscameandbidJohnandmeafarewellassoonasweweresureitwasthesoundofcannon。However，asitis20milesawayI"llhavetohangonuntilIgetalittlenearer。Wehavehadaverypleasanttripeventhoughweweredelayedtwodaysbyfogandaslowconvoy。NowwearehereatDalny。Itlooksnotatalllikeitspictures，which，asIrememberthemwerealltakeninwinter。Itisaperfectlynew，goodbrickbarracks-liketown。Iamlandingnow。ThetwoservantsseemverysatisfactoryandIaminexcellenthealth。TodayCecilhasbeenfourdaysatHongKong。PleasesendthegistofthisletterdullasitistoMrs。Clark。WhenIbeganitIthoughtIwouldhaveplentyoftimetofinishitonshore。Ofcourse，afterthisallIwriteandthistoo，Isupposewillbecensored。So，therewillnotbemuchliveliness。IhavenotastetoexposemyaffectionstotheJapanesestaff。So，goodbye。
R。
July31st，1904。
DEARMOTHER:
Wehavebeenmetherewithabitterdisappointment。Wearealltobesentnorth，althoughonly18hoursaway。WecanhearthegunsatPortArthurthefallofwhichtheypromiseduswewouldsee。TonightwearecampingoutinoneoftheRussianbarracks。To-morrowwego，partlybyhorseandpartlybytrain。Aweekmustelapsebeforewecangetnearheadquarters。Andthenwehavenoguaranteethatwewillseeanyfighting。Thismeansformealongdelay。Itisverydisappointingandtheworstofthemanywehavesufferedinthelastfourmonths。IhavewrittenCecilaskinghertoseriouslythinkofgoinghomebutIamafraidshewillnot。
Wereitnotforthatandthedisappointmentonefeelsintravellingaweek"sjourneyawayfromthesoundofgunsI
wouldbecontent。MyhorseiswellandsoamI。Itisgoodtogetbacktodrawingwater，andcarryingbaggageandskirmishingaboutforyourself。ThecontractorgaveusagoodmealandtheservantsareefficientbutIlikedoingthingsmyselfandskirmishingforthem。WemakeashortridethismorningofsixmilestoKinChowandthen30milesbyrail。
"Headquarters"isaboutafivedaysridedistant。TellChasmyoutfitseemsnearlycomplete。MaybeIcanbuyafewthingsI
forgotinBostonatKinChow。FoxandIwillgetoutjustassoonasweseefightingbutbeforeyougetthisyouwillprobablyhearbycablefromme。Ifnot，itwillmeanwestillarewaitingforafight。TheonlymistakeImadewasinnotgoinghomethefirsttimetheydeceivedusinsteadofwaitingforthisandworstofall。
toyouall。
DICK。
MANCHURIA，August14，1904。
WehavebeenridingthroughManchuriaforelevendays。Ninedayswerodethentwodayswerested。Bylosingthetrailwemanagedtoaverageabout20milesaday。Ikeptwellandenjoyeditverymuch。AsIhadtoleavemyservantbehindwithasickhorse，Ihadtotakecareofmymuleandponymyselfandhuntfodderforthem，soIwasprettybusy。Saikididallhecould，butheisnotaservantandsoonerthanaskhimIdidthingsmyself。Wepassedthroughaverybeautifulcountry，sleepingatrailwaystationsandsawtwobattlefieldsofrecentfights。NowweareinaChineseCityandwaitingtoseewhatshouldbethebiggestfightsinceSedan。
TheRussiansareabouttenmilesfromus，sowearenotallowedoutsidethegatesofthecitywithoutaguide。Ofcourse，wehavenoneofthatfreedomwehaveenjoyedinotherwars，butapartfromthattheytreatusverywellindeed。Andinadayortwotheypromiseusmuchfighting，whichwewillbeallowedtowitnessfromahill。Thisisaveryqueeroldcitybutthetownsandcountryareallveryprimitiveandwedependuponourselvesforourentertainment。
Iexpectsoontoseeyouathome。InthreemoredaysIshallhavebeenoutherefivemonthsandthatistoolong。Goodlucktoyouall。
R。H。D。
MANCHURIA，August18th，1904。
WestillareinsidethisoldChinesetown。Ithasrainedforfivedays，andthisoneisthefirstinwhichwecouldgoabroad。Unlessyouswimverywellitisnotsafetocrossoneofthesestreets。Wehavefoundanoldtempleandsomeofusareinitnow。Itissucharelieftoescapefromthatcompoundandtherain。Thisplaceisfullofweedsandpinetrees，cooingdovesandbutterflies。ThetemplesareclosedandnooneisinchargebutanagedChinaman。Wedidnotcomeheretositintemples，soJohnandIwillleaveinaweek，battleornobattle。Theargumentthathavingwaitedsolongonemightaswellwaitalittlelongerdoesnottouchus。ItwasthatargumentthatkeptusinTokiowhenweknewwewerebeingdeceivedweekly，andthesamemanwhodeceivedusthere，isinchargehere。Itisimpossibletobelieveanythinghetellshissubordinatestotellus，so，wewillbeonourwaybackwhenyougetthis。Iamwell，andonlydisappointed。
HadtheynotbrokenfaithwithusaboutPortArthurwewouldbynowhaveseenfighting。Asitiswewillhavewastedsixmonths。
LovetoDad，andChasandNoraandyou。
DICK。
InwritingofhisdecisiontoleavetheJapanesearmy，Richard，afterhisreturntotheUnitedStates，said:
"OnthereceiptofOku"sanswertotheCorrespondentsweleftthearmy。Othercorrespondentswouldhavequitthen，asmostofthemdidtendayslater，butthattheirworkandKuroki，sofarfrombeingfiftymilesnorthtowardMukden，asOkabesaidhewas，wastwentymilestotheeastonourrightpreparingforthe，closing-inmovementwhichwasjustabouttobegin。
Threedaysafterwehadleftthearmy，thegreatestbattlesinceSedanwaswagedforsixdays。
"So，ourhalf-yearoftimeandmoney，ofdrearywaiting，ofdailyhumiliationsatthehandsofofficerswithmindsdiseasedbysuspicion，allofwhichwouldhavebeenmadeuptousbythesightofthisonegreatspectacle，wastotheendabsolutelylosttous。Perhapswemadeamistakeinjudgment。
Asthecardsfellwecertainlydid。
"Theonlypropositionbeforeuswasthis:Therewassmallchanceofanyimmediatefighting。Iftherewerefightingwewouldnotseeit。Confrontedwiththesameconditionsagain，Iwoulddecideinexactlythesamemanner。Ourmisfortunelayinthefactthatourexperiencewithotherarmieshadledustobelievethatofficersandgentlemenspeakthetruth，thatmenwithtitlesofnobility，andwiththehighertitlesofGeneralandMajor-General，donotlie。Inthatweweremistaken。"
Greatlydisappointedathisfailuretoseereallyanythingofthewar，muchembitteredattheJapaneseovertheirtreatmentofthecorrespondents，RichardreachedVancouverinOctober。
AsmyfatherwasseriouslyillhecametoPhiladelphiaatonceanddividedthenexttwomonthsbetweenouroldhomeandMarion。
OnDecember14，1904，myfatherdied，anditwasthefirsttragedythathadcomeintoRichard"slife，asitwasinthatofmysisterormyself。Asaneditorialwriter，mostofmyfather"sworkhadbeenanonymous，buthisinfluencehadbeenasfar-reachingasithadbeeneverforallthatwasjustandfine。Allofhislifehehadworkedunremittinglyforgoodcausesand，inspiteoftheheavyburdenswhichofhisownwillhehadtakenuponhisnonetoostrongshoulders，I
havenevermetwithanaturesocalm，sosimple，sosympatheticwiththosewhowereweak——weakinbodyorsoul。
Asallnewspapermenmust，hehadbeenbroughtinconstantcontactwiththeworstelementsofmachinepolitics，asindeedhehadwiththeloweststrataofthelifecommontoanygreatcity。Butinhisownlifehewasasunsophisticated；hisidealsofhighliving，hisbeliefinthepossibilitiesofgoodinallmenandinallwomen，remainedasunruffledasifhehadneverlefthisfather"sfarmwherehehadspenthischildhood。WhenmyfatherdiedRichardlosthis"kindestandseverestcritic"ashealsolostoneofhisveryclosestfriendsandcompanions。
Duringtheshortillnessthatprecededmybrother"sdeath，althoughquiteunconsciousthattheendwassonear，histhoughtsconstantlyturnedbacktothedaysofhishomeinPhiladelphia，andhegotouttheletterswhichasaboyandasayoungmanhehadwrittentohisfamily。Afterreadinganumberofthemhesaid:"IknownowwhyweweresuchahappyItwasbecausewewerealways，allofus，ofthesameage。"
CHAPTERXV
MOUNTKISCO
Duringmybrother"slifetherewerefourcentresfromwhichhesetforthonhistravelsandtowhichhereturnedtofinishthearticlesforwhichhehadcollectedthematerial，orperhapstowriteanovel，afewshortstories，oroccasionallyaplay，butunlikemostofthefollowersofhiscraft，nevertorest。Indeedduringthelasttwenty-fiveyearsofhislifeIdonotrecalltwoconsecutivedayswhenRicharddidnotdevoteanumberofhourstoliterarywork。ThecentresofwhichIspeakwerefirstPhiladelphia，thenNewYork，thenMarion，andlastlyMountKisco。HappyasRichardhadbeenatMarion，thequaintlittlevillage，especiallyinwinter，wasratherinaccessible，andherealizedthattobeintouchwiththenumerousaffairsinwhichhewasinterestedthathisheadquartersshouldbeinornearNewYork。Inadditiontothishehadforlongwantedahomeofhisveryown，andsolocatedthathecouldhavehisfamilyandhisfriendsconstantlyabouthim。Someyears，however，elapsedbetweenthisdreamanditsrealization。In1903hetookthefirststepbypurchasingafarmsituatedintheWestchesterHills，fivemilesfromMountKisco，NewYork。Hebeganbybuildingalakeatthefootofthehillonwhichthehomewastostand，thenawater-tower，andfinallythehouseitself。TheplanstotheminutestdetailhadbeenlaidoutonthelawnatMarionand，asthearchitecthimselfsaid，therewasnothingleftforhimtodobuttodesignthecellar。
RichardandhiswifemovedintotheirnewhomeinJuly，1905，andcalleditCrossroadsFarm，keepingtheoriginalnameoftheplace。InlateryearsRichardaddedvariousadjoiningparcelsoflandtohisfirstpurchase，andthepropertyeventuallyincludednearlythreehundredacres。Thehouseitselfwasverylarge，verycomfortable，andthereweremanyguest-roomswhicheveryweek-endforlongwerefilledbythejolliestofhouse-parties。Inhisnovel"TheBlindSpot，"
JustusMilesFormangivesthefollowingverycharmingpictureoftheplace: