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。