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，andheabusedtheplayandtheactorswiththeexceptionofthemanwhoplayedWhamondhimselfwhomhesaidhethoughtshowedgreatpromise。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$6adaywithbathroomadjoiningIamgoingtohaveanoilpaintingofherlabelled"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。