ItisworsethantheFrenchatSedanamilliontimes。WearejustamateursatwarandaboutliketheIndiansColumbusdiscovered。Iamexceedinglypleasedwithmyselfattakingitsogoodnaturedly。IwouldhavethoughtIwouldhavegonemadorgonehomelongago。BonsalandRemingtonthreatentogoeveryminute。Milestellsmeweshallhavetowaituntilthosecruisersarelocatedorbottledup。I'mtiredofbottlingupfleets。IlikethewayDeweybottlesthem。Whatastorythatwouldhavemade。Twenty-sixtransportswithasmanythousandmensunkfivemilesoutandtwo-thirdsofthemdrowned。RemembertheMaineindeed!they'dbetterremembertheMainandbraceup。IfwewaituntiltheycatchthoseboatsImaybehereforanothermonthaswecannotdaregoawayforlongorfar。Ifwedecidetogowithaconvoywhichiswhatweoughttodo，wemaystartinadayortwo。Nothingyoureadinthepapersiscorrect。DidItellyouthatMilessentDorstaftermetheothernightandmademealongspeech，sayinghethoughtIhaddonesowellinrefusingthecommission。Iwasgladhefeltthatwayaboutit。Well，lotsoflove。I'mnowgoingtotakeabath。Godblessyou，thisisa"merrywar。"
RICHARD。
InsightofSantiago——
June26th，1898。
DEARCHAS。:
WehavecometoahalthereinacampalongthetrailtoSantiago。Youcanseeitbyclimbingahill。InsteadofwhichIamnowsittingbyafinestreamonacoolrock。I
havediscoveredthatyoureallyenjoythingsmorewhenyouarenotgettingmanycomfortsthanyoudowhenyouhaveallyouwant。Thatsoundsdullbutitismostconsoling。IhadabaththismorningintheserocksthatIwouldnothavegivenupforallthegooddinnersIeverhadattheWaldorf，ortheSavoy。Itjustwentupanddownmyspineandsentthrillsalloverme。ItismostinterestingnowandallthetroublesofthedulldaysofwaitingatTampaandthatawfultimeonthetroopshipareover。Thearmyisstretchedoutalongthetrailfromthecoastforsixmiles。Santiagoliesaboutfivemilesaheadofus。IamveryhappyandcontentandthebookforScribnersoughttobeaninterestingone。Itisreallyveryhardthatmydespatchesarelimitedto100wordsfortherearelotsofchances。ThefaultlieswiththearmypeopleatWashington，whogivecredentialstoanyonewhoasks。ToTheIndependentandotherperiodicals——innosensenewspapers，andtheygiveseventoonepaper，consequentlyweasaclassareapesttotheofficersandtoeachother。Fortunately，thesurvivalofthefittestisthetestandonlythebestmenineverysensegettothefront。Therearefiftyothersatthebasewhokeepthewireloadedwithrumors，sowhenaftergreatdifficultywegetthecorrectnewsbacktoDaiquireaSiboneythereisnoroomforit。Someofthe"warcorrespondents"haveabsolutelynothingbuttheclothestheystandin，andtheothershadtotakeupsubscriptionsforthem。Theygambledallthetimeonthetransportsandareensconcednowatthebasewithcardsandcountersandnothingelse。WhitneyhasturnedoutgreatattheworkandIamgladheisnotonadailypaperorhewouldshareeverythingwithme。JohnFox，WhitneyandIarelivingonWood'sroughriders。WeareverywelcomeandRoosevelthasusatHeadquartersbut，ofcourse，weseethemenweknowallthetime。
Yougetmorenewswiththeotherregimentsbuttheofficers，eventheGenerals，aresuchnarrowmindedslipshodmenthatweonlyvisitthemtopickupinformation。
WhitneyandIweretheonlycorrespondentsthatsawthefightatGuasimas。HewaswiththeregularsbutIhadthelucktobewithRoosevelt。Heissorebutstillhesawmorethananyoneelseandisproportionallyhappy。Stillhenaturallywouldhavelikedtohavebeenwithourpush。WewerewithinthirtyyardsoftheSpaniardsandhiscrowdwerenotnearerthanaquarterofamilewhichwasnearenoughastheyhadnearlyasmanykilled。Gen。Chaffeetoldmeto-daythatitwasWood'schargethatwontheday，withoutitthetenthcouldnothavedriventheSpaniardsback——Woodisagreatyoungman，hehasonlyoneideaorratherallhisideasruninonedirection，hisregiment，heeatsandtalksnothingelse。Heneversleepsmorethanfourhoursandalltherestofthetimeheismovingaboutamongthetents——Betweenyouandmeandthepoliceman，itwasaveryhottime——MaybeifIdrewyouamapyouwouldunderstandwhy。
WoodandGen。Young，byagreementthenightbeforeandwithoutordersfromanybodydecidedtoadvanceatdaybreakanddislodgetheSpaniardsfromLasGuasimas。Theywentbytwonarrowtrailssinglefile，thetwotrailswerealongthecrestsofalineofhillswithavalleybetween。ThedottedlineisthetrailweshouldhavetakenhadtheCubanstoldusitexisted，ifwehaddonesowewouldhavehadtheSpaniardsinthefrontbandrearasGeneralYoungwouldhavecaughtthemwheretheyexpectedhimtocome，andwewouldhavecaughtthemwheretheywerenotlookingforus。Ofcourse，theCubanswhoareworthlessineverywaynevertoldusofthistrailuntilwehadhadthemeeting。NooneknewwewerenearSpaniardsuntilbothcolumnswereontheplacewherethetwotrailsmeet。Thenourscoutscamebackandreportedthemandthecompanieswerescatteredoutasyouseetheminthelittledots。TheSpaniardswereabsolutelyhiddennotover25percentofthemensawoneofthemfortwohours——Iranoutwiththecompanyontherightofthedottedline，marked"ourposition。"IthoughtitwasafalsealarmandnoneofusbelievedtherewereanySpaniardsthissideofSantiago。Thegroundwascoveredwithhighgrassandcactusandvinessothatyoucouldnotseetwentyfeetahead，themenhadtobeatthevineswiththeircarbinestogetthroughthem。Wehadnotrunfiftyyardsthroughthejunglebeforetheyopenedonuswithaquickfiringgunatahundredyards。Isawtheenemyonthehillacrossthevalleyandgotsixsharpshootersandbeganonthem，thenthefiregotsohotthatwehadtolieonourfacesandcrawlbacktotherear。IhadawoundedmantocarryandwasinaverybadwaybecauseIhadsciatica，TwoofhismentookhimoffwhileIstoppedtohelpaworsewoundedtrooper，butIfoundhewasdead。WhenIhadcomebackforhiminanhour，thevultureshadeatenouthiseyesandlips。InthemeanwhileatrooperstooduponthecrestwithaguidonandwaveditattheoppositetrailtofindoutifthefiringtherewasfromSpaniardsorLenYoung'snegroes。
HewashitinthreeplacesbutestablishedthefactthatYoungwasuponthetrailonourrightacrossthevalleyfortheycheered。HewasamanwhohadrunontheGoldTicketforCongressinArizona，andconsequently，assomeonesaid，naturallyshouldhaveledaforlornhope。AblackguardhadjustrunpasttellingthemthatWoodwaskilledandthathehadbeenorderedtoSiboneyforreinforcements。Thatwashowthereportspreadthatwewerecuttopieces——AreporterwhoranawayfromYoung'scolumnwasresponsibleforthestorythatIwaskilled。HemeantMarshallwhowasontheleftofthelineandwhowasshotthroughthespine——Therewasalotofwoundedatthebaseandthefightinginfrontwasfearfultohear。Itwasasfastasahardfootballmatchandyoumustrememberitlastedtwofullhours；duringthattimethemenwereontheirfeetallthetimeorcrawlingontheirhands——
Notoneofthem，withtheexceptionof——，andaSergeantwhothrewawayhisgunandran，wentastepback。Itwaslikeplayingblindman'sbuffandyouwereit。IgotseparatedonceandwasscareduntilIsawthelineagain，asmylegwasverybadandIcouldnotgetaboutovertheroughground。IwentdownthetrailandIfoundCaprondyingandthewholeplacelitteredwithdiscardedblanketsandhaversacks。IalsofoundFishandpulledhimundercover——hewasquitedead——ThenI
borrowedacarbineandjoinedCapron'stroop，asecondlieutenantandhisSergeantwereincommand。Themannextmeinlinegotabulletthroughhissleeveandonethroughhisshirtandyoucouldseewhereitwentinandcameoutwithouttouchingtheskin。ThefiringwasveryhighandwewereinnodangersoItoldthelieutenanttoletuschargeacrossanopenplaceandtakeatinshackwhichwasheldbytheSpaniards'rearguard，fortheywereopeninretreat。
Rooseveltorderedhismentodothesamethingandweranforwardcheeringacrosstheopenandthendroppedinthegrassandfired。IguessIfiredabouttwentyroundsandthenformedintoastrategyboardandwentoffdownthetrailtoscout。IgotlonelyandwascomingbackwhenImetanothertrooperwhosatdownandsaidhewastoohottoruninanydirectionSpaniardornoSpaniard。Sowesatdownandpanted。
AtlastheaskedmeifIwasR。H。D。andIsaidIwasandhesaid"I'mDean，ImetyouinHarvardintheracquetcourt。"
Thenweembraced——thetenthcameupthenanditwasallover。
Myleg，thankgoodness，isallrightagainandhasbeensoforthreedays。Itwasonlytherunningaboutthatcausedit。I
won'thavetorunagainasIhaveahorsenowandtherewillbenomoreambushesandmoreoverwehave12，000menaroundus——BeingtogetherthatwayinatightplacehasmadeusallfriendsandIguessI'llsticktotheregiment。SendthistodearMotherandtellherIwasnotborntobekilled。Ioughttotellyoumoreofthecharmingsideofthelife——wearealldirtyandhungryandsleeponthegroundandhavegrandtalksoneverysubjectaroundtheheadquarterstent。Iwasnevermorehappyandcontentandneversowell。Itishotbutatnightitisquitecoolandtherehasbeennorainonlyafewshowers。`Nooneisillandtherehavebeennocasesoffever。I
havenotheardfromyouoranyonesincethe14th，whichisnotreallylongbutsomuchgoesonthatitseemsso。Lotsoflovetoyouall。
DICK。
AfterreadingthisoverIoughtperhapstosaythatthepositionoftherealcorrespondentsisabsolutelytheverybest。Nooneconfoundsuswiththemenatthebase，andnothingtheyhavetheydenyus。Wearetreatedimmeasurablybetterthanthepoorattacheswhoarestillontheshipandwhoiftheywerespiescouldnotbetreatedworse。ButforWhitney，Remingtonandmyselfnothingistoogood。Generalsfighttohaveusontheirstaffsandallthatsortofthing，soIreallycannotcomplain，exceptaboutthefactthatourrealnewsiscrowdedoutbythefakerintherear。
SANTIAGO。
HeadquartersCavalryDivision，U。S。Army。
Headqrs。Wood'sRoughRiders。
June29th，1898。
DEARDAD:
IsupposeyouarebackfromMarionnowandIhavemissedyou。
Ican'ttellyouhowsorryIam。Iwantedtoseeyoucomingupthestreetthissummerinyourknickerbockersandwithnofish，butstillhappy。Nevermind，weshalldothetheatresthisFall，andhavegoodwalksdowntown。IhopeMotherwillcomeupandvisitmethisSeptember，atMarionandsitonAllen'sandontheClarks'porchandwecanhaveChas。too。I
supposehewillhavehadhisholidaybuthecancomeupforaSunday。WeexpecttomoveuponSantiagothedayafterto-morrow，andit'sabouttime，forthetrailwillnotbepassablemuchlonger。Itrainseverydayatthreeo'clockforanhourandsuchrainyouneverguessed。Itisthreeincheshighforanhour。Thenweallgooutnakedanddigtrenchestogetitoutoftheway。Itisveryroughliving。IhavetoconfessthatIneverknewhowwelloffIwasuntilIgottosmokingDurhamtobaccoandI'veonlyhalfabagofthatleft。Theenlistedmenaresmokingdriedhorsedroppings，grass，rootsandtea。Someofthemcan'tsleeptheyaresonervousforthewantofit，butto-dayalotcameupandallwillbewellforthem。I'vehadasteadyrationofcoffee，baconandhardtackforaweekandonemango，tonightwehadbeans。Ofcourse，whattheyoughttoserveisriceandbeansasfriedbaconisimpossibleinthisheat。Still，everyoneiswell。Thisisthebestcrowdtobewith——theyaresowelleducatedandsointeresting。Theregulararmymenareverydullandnarrowandwouldboreonetodeath。WehaveWood，Roosevelt，Lee，theBritishAttache，WhitneyandaDoctorChurch，afriendofminefromPrinceton，whoisquitethemostcheerfulsoulandthefunniestIevermet。Hecarriedfourmenfromthefiringlinetheotherdaybackhalfamiletothehospitaltent。Hespendsmostofhistimecomingaroundheadquartersinanundershirtofmineandagoldbraceletfightingtarantulas。Iwokeuptheothermorningwithonesevenincheslongandashairyasyourheadreposingonmypillow。MysciaticabothersmebuthasnotpreventedmeseeingeverythingandIcandigrainguttersandcutwoodwithanyofthem。ItisveryfunnytoseeLarned，thetennischampion，whoseeverymovementatNewportwasapplaudedbyhundredsofyoungwomen，marchingupanddowninthewetgrass。WhitneyandIguyhim。To-dayasentryonpostwasreading"AsYouLikeIt"andwheneverIgodownthelinehalfthemenwanttoknowwhowontheboatrace——To-dayWoodsentmeoutwithadetailonapretenseofscoutingbutreallytogivethemachancetoseethecountry。Theywereallcollegeboys，withWillieTiffanyassergeantandwehadafinetimeandcouldseetheSpanishsentriesquiteplainlywithoutaglass。Ihopeyouwillnotworryoverthislongseparation。
Idon'tknowofanyexperienceIhavehadwhichhasdonemesomuchgood，andbeingwithsuchafinelotoffellowsisagreatpleasure。Thesceneryisverybeautifulwhenitisnotraining。IhaveacotraisedoffthegroundintheColonel'stentandamverywelloff。IfChaffeeorLawton，whoarethefinesttypeofofficersIeversaw，wereincommand，wewouldhavebeenfightingeverydayandwouldprobablyhavebeeninbythistime。ThisweathershowsthatHavanamustbeputoffafterPortoRico。Theycannotcampaigninthismud。
DICK。
SANTIAGO，July1898。
DEARFAMILY:
ThisisjusttoreassureyouthatIamallright。IandMarshallweretheonlycorrespondentswithRoosevelt。Wewerecaughtinaclearcaseofambush。Everyprecautionhadbeentaken，butthenativesknewthegroundandourmendidnot。
Itwasthehottest，nastiestfightIeverimagined。Weneversawtheenemyexceptglimpses。Ourmenfellallovertheplace，shoutingtotheothersnottomindthem，buttogoon。Igotexcitedandtookacarbineandchargedthesugarhouse，whichwaswhatiscalledthekeytotheposition。
IfthemenhadbeenregularsIwouldhavesatintherearasB——did，butIkneweveryotheroneofthem，hadplayedfootball，andallthatsortofthing，withthem，soIthoughtasanAmericanIoughttohelp。Theofficerswerefallingallovertheshop，andafteritwasalloverRooseveltmademealongspeechbeforesomeofthemen，andofferedmeacaptaincyintheregimentanytimeIwantedit。HetoldtheAssociatedPressmanthattherewasnoofficerinhisregimentwhohad"beenofmorehelporshownmorecourage"thanyourhumbleservant，sothat'sallright。AfterthisIkeepquiet。I
promiseIkeepquiet。Lovetoyouall。
RICHARD。
FromCubaRichardsailedwithourforcestoPortoRico，wherehisexperiencesintheSpanish-Americanwarcametoanend，andhereturnedtoMarion。HespentthefallinNewYork，andearlyin1899wenttoLondon。
Oneofthemostinteresting，certainlythemostwidelytalkedof，"sportingevents"forwhichRichardwasresponsiblewasthesendingofanEnglishdistrict-messengerboyfromLondontoChicago。Theideawasinspiredbymybrother'sgeneraladmirationoftheLondonmessengerserviceandhisparticularbeliefinoneWilliamThomasJaggers，afourteen-year-oldladwhomRichardhadfrequentlyemployedtocarrynotesandrunerrands。Oneday，duringacasualluncheonconversationattheSavoywithhisfriendSomersSomerset，RichardsaidthathebelievedthatifJaggerswereaskedtocarryamessagetoNewYorkthathecouldnotonlydoitbutwouldexpressnosurpriseatthecommission。
Thisconversationresultedinthebetdescribedinthefollowingletters。TheboyslippedquietlyawayfromLondon，butafewdayslaterthebetbecamepublicandthenewspaperswerefilledwithspeculationastowhetherJaggerscouldbeatthemails。Themessengercarriedthreeletters，onetomysister，onetoMissCecilClarkofChicago，whomRichardmarriedafewmonthslater，andonetomyself。
Asamatteroffact，Jaggersdeliveredhisnotesseveralhoursbeforeletterstravellingbythesameboatreachedthesamedestinations。ThenewspapersnotonlyprintedlongaccountsofJaggers'striumphalprogressfromNewYorktoChicagoandbackagain，butusedthesuccessofhisundertakingasatextformanyeditorialsagainstthedilatorymethodsofourforeign-mailservice。JaggersleftLondononMarch11，1899，andwasbackagainonthe29th，havingtravellednearlyeighty-fourhundredmilesineighteendays。Onhisreturnhewasreceivedliterallybyacrowdofthousands，andhisfeatwasgivenofficialrecognitionbyagoldmedalpinnedonhisyouthfulchestbytheDuchessofRutland。Also，lateron，atagardenfetehewaspresentedtotheQueen，andincidentally，stilllater，returnedtotheUnitedStatesas"buttons"tomybrother'shousehold。
Bachelors'Club，Piccadilly，W。
March15th，1899。
DEARCHAS。
IhopeyouarenotannoyedaboutJaggers。WhenhestartednooneknewofitbutthreepeopleandIhadnoideaanyoneelsewould，butthecompanysentittoTheMailwithoutmynamebutdescribingmeas"anAmericangentleman"——InstantlytheforeigncorrespondentswenttothemtofindoutwhoIwasandtowhomIwassendingtheletter——Itoldthecompanyitwasnoneoftheirdamnedbusiness——thatIemployedtheboybytheweekandthatIcouldsendhimwhere-everIchose。Thentheboy'sfathergotproudandwrotetoTheMailabouthisageandsotheygottheboy'sname。Mine，however，isstilloutofit，butinAmericatheyaresuretoknowasthepeopleonthesteamerarecrazyabouthimandKinseythePurserknowsheissentbyme。AfterhegetsbackfromChicagoandPhiladelphia，youcandowithhimasyoulikeuntilthesteamersails。Ifthethingistakenupasitishereandthefatisinthefire，thenyoucandoasyouplease——Imeanyoucantellthepapersaboutitornot——SomersetholdsoneendofthebetsandItheother。
Therearetwobets:onethathewillbeatthemailtoChicago，SomersetagreeingtoconsidertheletteryougivehimtoBruce，asequivalenttoonecomingfromhere。Theotherbetisthathewilldeliverandgetreceiptsfromyou，NoraandBruce，andreturnherebythe5thofApril——YouandBobbyoughttobeabletodowellbyhimifitbecomes，asIsay，sofarpublicthatthereisnopossibilityoffurtherconcealment——Youhavemypermissiontodowhatyouplease——
Heiscomingintomyemployassoonashegetsbackandassoonasthecompanygivehimamedal。
Overherethereisthegreatestpossibleinterestinthematter——AttheClubsIgoto，thewaitersallwaitonmeinordertohavethelatestdevelopmentsandwhenitwascabledoverherethattheCustoms'peopleintendedstoppinghim，indignationragedattheForeignoffice。
oflove，DICK。
89JermynStreet，S。W。
March——1899
DEARNORA:
Thisistobehandedtoyoubymyspecialmessenger，whoistoassureyouthatIaminthebestofhealthandspirits——KeephimforafewhoursandthensendhimontoChicago——Asheisdoingthisonabet，donotgivehimanywritteninstructionsonlyverbalones。Iamverywellandhappyandsendyouallmylove——JaggershasbeenrunningerrandsformeeversinceI
camehere，andamostloyalservitorwhenIwasill——OnhisreturnIwanttokeephimonasabuttons。Seethathegetsplentytoeat——Ifhecomesbackalivehewillhavebrokenthemessengerboyservicerecordbythreethousandmiles。
Personally，itdoesnotcostmeanythingtospeakof。ThedramatizationoftheSoldierscontinuesbriskly，andMaudeissendingGrundybacktheJackal，tohaveasecondgoatit。
Maudeinsistsonitsbeingdone——soIstandtowinalot。
RICHARD。
BeefsteakClub，9，GreenStreet，LeicesterSquare，W。C。Tuesday。
March——1899。
DEARMOTHER:——
ThefaithfulJaggersshouldhavearrivedto-day，orwilldosothisevening——Iamsureyouwillmakethepoorlittlechapcomfortable——Idoregrethavingsenthimonsuchajourneyespeciallysincethepapersheremadesuchaninfernalrowoverit——However，neitherofuswilllosebyitintheend——
IdinedwithLadyClarkelastnightandmetLordCastletonthereandheinvitedmeuptoDublinforthePunchtownRaces——
Ihaveagreatmindtogoandwriteastoryonthem——CastletonisagreatsportandverypopularathomeandinEnglandanditwouldbeapleasantexperience。KuhneBeveridgeisdoingabustofmeinkhakioutfitfortheAcademyandalsoforaprivateexhibitionofherownworks，whichincludesthePrinceofWales，andtheLittleQueenofHolland。
HaysHammondhasinvitedmedowntoSouthAfricaagain，withapromiseofmakingmyfortune，butIamnotgoingasittakestoolong。
DICK。
CHAPTERXII
THEBOERWAR
OnMay4，1899，atMarion，Massachusetts，RichardwasmarriedtoCecilClark，thedaughterofMr。andMrs。JohnM。ClarkofChicago。AfterthemarriageRichardandhiswifespentafewweeksinMarionandtheremainderofthesummerinLondonandAix-les-Bains。
MARION，May28th，1899。
DEARMOTHER:
Yousentmesuchagoodletteraboutthevisitofthethreeselectedchorusgirls。Butwhatwasbest，wasaboutyourwishingtoseeme。Ofcourse，youknowthatIfeelthattoo。
Iwouldhaveitsothatwealllivedhere，sothatDadcouldfish，andNoraandCecilcoulddiscusslife，andyouandI
couldjusttakewalksandchat。Butbecausethatcannotbe，wearenofurtherawaythanweeverwereandwhenthepaintoseeyoucomes，Idon'tletithurtandIdon'tkilliteitherforitisthesweetestpainIcanfeel。Ifsonswillgooffandmarry，orbewar-correspondents，ormanagers，itdoesnotmeanthatHomeisanythelessHome。Youcan'twipeouthistorybychangingthenameofaboulevard，assomebodysaidoftheFrench，andifIwereabletobeintwoplacesatonce，IknowinwhichtwoplacesIwouldbeherewithCecilatMarion，andatHomeintheLibrarywithyouandDadandTheEveningTelegraph，andNoraandVanBibber。YouwillneverknowhowmuchIloveyouallandyoumustnevergiveuptryingtocomprehendit。Godblessyouandkeepyou，andmylovetoyoueveryminuteandalways。
DICK。
LateinJanuary，1900，RichardandhiswifestartedontheirfirstgreatadventuretogethertotheBoerWar。ArrivingatCapeTown，Richardlefthiswifethereand，actingascorrespondentwiththeBritishforcesfortheNewYorkHeraldandLondonMail，sawthereliefofLadysmith。
AfterthishereturnedtoCapeTown，withtheintentionofjoiningLordRobertsinhisadvanceonPretoria。ButonarrivingatCapeTownhelearnedthatLordRobertsdidnotintendtomoveforthreeweeks，andsodecidedtosayfarewelltotheBritisharmyandtoreturntoLondoninaleisurelyandsightseeingfashionalongtheeastcoast。ItwasaftertheywerewellstartedonthisreturnvoyagethatRichardconceivedtheideaofleavingtheshipatDurban，goingtoPretoria，and，asheexpressedit，"watchtheBoersfightingthesamemenIhadjustseenfightingthem。"
R。M。S。ScotFebruary4th，1900。
DEARMOTHER:
AgreatchangehascomesinceIwroteyoufromMadeira。WearenowonSummerseasandhaveregulatedthedayssothattheypassverypleasantly——notthatwedonotwanttobeonland——Ineversomuchwantedit——Somersiswithusandissuchacomfort。Heisevenyoungerthanheusedtobeandsoquickandcourteousandgoodtempered。Heislikeaboyoffonaholiday——Ithinkheisverymuchinlovewithhiswife，butinspiteofhimselfheisgladtogetaholiday，andlikeallofushewillbesomuchmoregladwhenheishomewardbound。TheythreatenedtoshutusoutofouronlychanceofputtingfootonlandatMadeira——Inthefirstplace，weweresodelayedbythestormthatwearrivedateighto'clockatnight，sothatwemissedseeingitinitsbeautyofflowersandpalms。Andthenitwassoroughthattheysaiditwasmostunsafeforustoattempttogoashore。
ItwasagreatdisappointmentbutIurgedthateveryonelovedhisownlife，andifthenativeswerewillingtorisktheirstosellusphotographsandwickerbasketsitwasprobablysaferthanitlooked——Soweagreedtodietogether，andwithSomersgotourraincoats，andthethreeofusleapedintoarowboatpulledbytwoPortugesepiratesandstartedofftowardarowoflampsonaquaythatseemedmuchlowerthanthewaves。Theremainderontheshipwatchedusdisappearwithominuswarnings——Wereallyhadamostadventurouspassage——towardsshorethewavestossedusaboutlikealobsterpotandwejustmissedbeingrundownbyacoalbargeandescapedanupsetoverthebowanchorchainofaship。ItwassoclosethatbothSomersandIhadourcoatsoffandI
toldCeciltograbthechain——Butweweathereditandlandedatahighgangwaycutinthesolidrockthefirstthreestepsofwhichwereswampedbythewaves。Aropeandchainhungfromthetopofthewharfandamanswunghisweightonthisandyankedusouttothestepsastheboatwasonthewave。
Therainbeatandthewindroaredandbeautifulpalmslashedtheairwiththeirfronds——Itwasgrandtogetonshoreonceagain——Attheendofthewharfwewerehustledintoasledonsteelrunners，likeahearsewithcurtainsarounditanddrawnbybullocks——Thestreetswereallofmosaic，thousandsoflittlestonesbeingpackedtogetherlikecornonacob。Overthistheheavysledgewasdrawnbythebullockswhileasmallboyranaheadthroughthenarrowstreetstocleartheway——Hehadafeatherdustermadeofhorse'stailasabadgeofauthorityandheyelledsomestrangecryattheemptystreetsandclosedhouses。Anotherlittleboyinastripedjerseyranbesideandassuredushewasaguide。Itwaslikeapageoutofafairystory。Thestrangecartslidingandslippingoverthestoneswhichwereassmoothasice，andthecoloredhousefrontsandthepalmsandstrangeplants。Thedarknessmadeitallthemoreunreal——Therewasagovernor'spalacebuttressedandguardedbysentinelsinastrangeuniformandqueerlittlecafe'sundervines——andterracesofcannon，andatlastafunny，patheticlittlecasino。ItwassuchaqueerimitationofAixandMonteCarlo——TherewerechasseursandfootmeninmagnificentliveryandstuccowhitewallsornamentedwithsilkSHAWLS。Alsoaverygoodbandandanewroulettetable——
Cominginoutofthenightandtherainitwaslikeatheatreafterthe"darkscene"hasjustpassed——ThereweresomemostdignifiedcroupiersandthreeEnglishwomenandafewsadEnglishmenandsomeverywickedlookingnativesindiamondsandwhitewaistcoats。WehadonlyfifteenminutestosparesowebeganplayingbrisklywithtwoshillingpiecesCecilwithindifferentfortuneandSomerslosing——ButIwoneverytimeandthecroupiersgavemestrangenotesoftheBoncodePortugalwhichIputbackontheboardonlytogetmoreofalargernumber——IfeltgreatlyembarrassedasIwasnotarealmemberoftheclubandIhatedtoblowinoutofahurricaneandtaketheirmoneyandsailawayagain——SoIappealedtooneofthesadeyedEnglishmenandheassuredmeitwasallright，thattheywelcomedthepeoplefromthepassingsteamerswhogenerallyleftafewpoundseachwiththebank。ButthemoreIspreadthemoneythemoreIwonuntilfinallythewholeroomgatheredaround。ThenIsentoutandorderedchampagneforeverybodyandsparegoldtoallthewaitersandstillcashedinseventy-fivedollarsinEnglishmoney。Itwasprettygoodforfifteenminutesandwewentoutleavingthepeopleopen-eyed，andhittingthechampagnebottles——Itwasallapartofthefunespeciallyaswithallourgoldwecouldgetnothingforsupperbut"huevosfrite"whichwasalltheSpanishIcouldrememberandwhichmeantfriedeggs——ButwewereverywetandhungryandwegottheeggsandsomefruitandrealMadeirawineandthenrowedoutagainrejoicing。Thepiratesdemandedtheirpayhalfwaytotheboatwhilewewereonthehighseasbuttheyhadstrucktheverywrongmen，andI
neversawamutinyquelledsoabruptly——SomersandItoldthemwe'dthrowthemoverboardandrowourselvesandtheyunderstoodremarkablywell——Thenextdayweweretheadmiredandenviedofthosewhohadnothadthenerve"todaretoattempt。"ItwasoneofthebestexperiencesaltogetherweeverhadandIshallcertainlyputMadeiraonmysilvercup。
RICHARD。
AftertheirarrivalatCapeTown，whereRichardarrangedforhiswifetostayduringhisabsenceattheBritishfront，hestartedforLadysmith，sailingonthesamevesselonwhichhehadleftEngland。
February18th，1900
boardScot。
DEARMOTHER:
IgotoffyesterdayandamhopingtogettoBullerbeforeLadysmithisrelieved。IcouldnotgettogowithRobertsbecauseRalphhasbeenherefourmonthsandhasbornetheheatandburdenoftheday，soalthoughIonlycameinordertobewithRobertsandKitchenerIcouldnotasktohaveRalphrecalled——TheywantedmewithRobertsandIwanteditbutnoneofuscouldmakeupourmindstoturndownRalph。SoI
amgoinguponthissidetrackonthechanceofseeingLadysmithrelievedandofjoiningRobertswithBullerlater。
IshallbesatisfiedifIseeLadysmithfall。FortunatelyI
amtodoagreatdealofcablingforTheMaileverydayandthatcountsmuchmorewiththereadingpublicthanletters——
CapeTownisadusty，windriddenwesterntownwithamountainbackofitwhichonemansaidwasabadlypaintedbackdrop——
Theonlyattractivethingaboutthetownisthismountainandahotelsituatedatitsbaseinperfectlybeautifulgardens。
HereCecilissettled。IgotherasittingroomandabigbedroomandTheMailagentorPryorpaysher$150aweekandwilltakegoodcareofher。Itreallyisabeautifulandcomfortablehotelandgroundsandshehasmademanyfriends，andalsoIforcedapitchbattlewithawomanwhowasrudetoherwhenwevisitedthehospital——So，asthehospitalpeoplewereverykeentohavemeseeandpraisetheirhospitaltheyhavetakenuparmsagainsttheunfortunatelittlebounderandchampionedCecilandme。Cecilhadreallynothingtodowithitasyoucanimagine——SheonlylaughedbutIgavetheladylotstoremember。
OntheotherhandeveryoneisaskindandinterestedinCecilascanbe。Mrs。WaldronwhosesonisSecretarytoMilnerandhissecretaryweremorethanpolitetoeachofus。MilnerspentthewholeeveningweweretheretalkingtoCecilandnottotheladywehadhadtherowwith，whichwasapleasingtriumph。HesentmeunsolicitedamostflatteringpersonallettertotheGovernorofNatal，sayingthatIhadcometohimwithmystronglettersbutthathehadsoenjoyedmeetingmethathewishedtopassmeononhisownaccount。CecilaskedmewhatitwasIhadtalkedsomuchtohimaboutandIaskedherifitwerepossibleshecouldn'tguessthatofcourseI
wouldbetellinghimhowtorunthecolony。MyadvicewastobombardCapeTownandmakemartiallaw，fortheCapeTownersarethemostrotten，cowardlylotofrebelsIeverimaginedasbeingpossible。Heseemedsogladtofindanyonewhoappreciatedthatitwasaqueen'scolonyinnameonlyandsaid，"Mr。Davis，itisasbadasthis——IcantakeastrollwithyoufromthesegardenswewereatthebackoftheGovernmentHouseandattheendofourstrollwewillbeinhostileterritory。"
WespentthelastdayafterIhadgotmyorderstojoinBullerwhoseemedverypleasedtohavemecallingontheofficialsforpassestogetherandtheywereinagreatstatefallingintotheircoatsanddressingguardforherandwereallsofriendlyandhearty。TheCensorseemstothinkIamasortofMatthewArnoldandshouldbewrappedincotton，sodoesPryorTheMailagentwhoapologizesforaskingmetocable，whichisjustwhatIwanttodo。Theyareverygenerousandarespendingmoneylikefreshair。IamtocableletterstoCapeTown，onlytosavethreedays。So，nowallthatisneededisforsomethingtohappen。Everythingelseisarranged。AllIwantistoseethreeorfourgoodfightsandabigstorylikethereliefofLadysmithandIamreadyandanxioustogethome。Ishallobservethemfrombehindananthill——Idon'tsaythistopleaseyoubutbecauseImeanit。ThisisnotmywarandallIwantistoearntheverygeneroussumsIhavebeenofferedandgethome。
WearejustoffPortElizabeth。Iwillgoonshoreandpostthisthere。Withalllove。
DICK。
Deal'sCentralHotel，EastLondon。
February20th，1900。
DEARMOTHER:
Wearestoppingateveryportnow，asthoughtheScotwereaferryboat。Wecameoverthesidetogethereinbasketswithaneatdoorinthesideandwerebumpedtothedeckofthetenderinalluntenderness。ThisismorelikeAfricathananyplaceIhaveseen。ThecactusandpalmsaboundandtheKaffirswearbrassankletsandbracelets。AmanatlunchatthishotelaskedmeifIwasR。H。D。andsaidhewasanAmericanwhohadgotacommissioninBrabantshorse——Hegavemethegrandestsortofasegarandapparentlyonhisrepresentationthehotelbroughtmetwobookstosign，marked"AutographsofCelebritiesoftheBoerWar。"Itseemedinmycaseatleasttobeprematureandhopeful。
GoodluckandGodblessyou。Thiswillbethelastletteryouwillgetfortendaysortwoweeks，asIamnowgoingdirectlyawayfromsteamers。ThisonereachesyoubyaspygentlemanwhoistogiveittoReneBullofTheGraphicandwhowillpostitinCapeTown——HeandalltheothercorrespondentsareabandoningBullerforRoberts。Let'emallgo。Thefewerthebetter，Isay。MyluckwillkeepIhope。
DICK。
ImperialHotel，Maritzburg，Natal。
Feb。23rd，1900。
DEARMOTHER:——
IreachedDurbanyesterday。TheyparadedthebandinmyhonourandplayedYankeeDoodleindefinitely——Ihadcorruptedthembygivingthemdrinkstoplaythe"BelleofNewYork"
nightly。TheEnglishofficersthoughtYankeeDoodlewasournationalanthemandstoodwiththeirhatsoffinahurricanebalancingonthedeckofthetenderononefoot——ThecityofDurbanisthebestIhaveseen。ItwasaspicturesqueastheMidwayattheFair——TherewerePersians，Malay，Hindoo，Babu'sKaffirs，Zulu'sandsoldiersandsailors。IwentonboardtheMainetoseetheAmericandoctors——oneofthemsaidhehadmetmeonWalnutStreet，whenhehadnearlyrunmedownwithhisambulancefromthePennaHospital。LadyRandolphtookmeovertheshipandwasverymuchpuzzledwhenallthehospitalstewardscalledmebynameandmadecomplimentaryremarks。ItimpressedhersomuchapparentlythatsheandtheAmericannursesIhadn'tmetonboardcametoseemeoffatthestation，whichwasveryfriendly。IhavehadahorribledayhereandgotupagainsttheBritishofficerinuniformandondutybent——Thechieftroublewasthatnoneofthemknewwhatauthorityhehadtodoanything——andIhadtositdownandtellthem。IwonderwithintelligenceliketheirsthattheirIntelligenceDepartmentdidnottellthemtheBoersfoughtwithwarclubsandspears。IboughtarippingponyandmyplanistocutawayfromallmymagnificentequipmentandtrytoovertakeBullerbeforehereachesLadysmithandsendbackfortheheavythingslater。Itisjustaquestionofminutesreallyanditseemshardtohavecome1500milesandthentomissitbyanhour——IarriveatChievelytomorrowatfive——thatisonlytenmilesfromwhereBulleristonight，sowereitnotfortheird——dregulationsIcouldrideacrosscountryandjointhembymiddaybutIbettheywon'tletmeandIalsobetI'llgetthereintime。Ofcourseyou'll，knowbeforeyouseethis。Marelsburgisthecapitalanditschiefindustryisrickshaw'spulledbywildKaffi's，withbeadsandsnakeskinsaroundthemandholesintheirearsintowhichtheysticksegarsandhornspoonsfordippingsnuff。Thewomenwearlessthanthemenandhavetheirhairdoneupinredfungus。
Well，lovetoyouall，toNoraandDadandChas，andGodblessyou。
DICK。
1900。
DEARDEARMOTHER:——
IamhereatlastandcountingthedayswhenIshallgetaway。
Wardoesnotsoothemysavagebreast。IfindIwantCecil，andJaggers，andMacklintowrite，andplaystorehearse。
WithoutCecilboredtodeathatCapeTown，Iwouldnotminditatall。IknowhowtobecomfortableandonmyseconddayI
beatallthesemenwhohavebeenherethreemonthsingettingmynewsonthewire。ForIamanewsmannow，andhavetocollecthorridfactsandhostsofcasualtiesandtofindoutwhetheritwastheDubblinsortheDurbansthatdiditandwhatitwastheydid。IwasinterriblefearthatIwouldbetoolatetoseethereliefofLadysmithbutIwaswellintimeandsawafightthefirstfewhoursIarrived。ItisterriblybigandoverwhelminglikeeightyofBarnumcircusesallgoingatonceineightyringsandveryhardtounderstandthegeography。TheTugelaislikeasnakeandcrossesitselfeverythreefeetsothatyouneverknowwhetheryouhavecrossedityourselfornot。EveryoneismostkindandIamascomfortableascanbe。IndeedIlikemytentsomuchthatIamgoingtotakeittoMarion。Ithaswindowsinitandthemostamusingtrapdoorsandpocketsinthewallsandclotheslinesandhooksandventilators——Itiscoloredalovelygreen——Ihavealsotwochairsthatfoldupandatablethatdoesnothingelseandabedandtwolanterns，3ponies，oneaBoerponyIboughtfor$12。fromaTommywhohadstolenit。Ihadtopay$125eachfortheothertwoandonehadasorebackandtheothergetslostinmysaddle。Butwarasthesepeopledoitboresonetodestruction。Theyareterriblydullsouls。Theycannotgiveanorderintelligently。
Therealtestofasoldieristhewayhegivesanorder。I
heardaColonelwitheightribbonsforeightcampaignsscoldaprivateforfiveminutesbecausehecouldnotseeasignalflag，andnooneelsecould。ItisnotbecomingthataColonelshouldscoldforfiveminutes。Fridaytheychargedahillwithoneoftheir"frontal"attacksandlostthreeColonelsand500men。Inthemorning——itwasanightattack——whentherollwascalledonlyfiveofficersanswered。
Thepropernumberis24。ACaptainnowcommandstheregiment。
Itissheerstraightwasteoflifethroughdoggedstupidity。
Ihaven'tseenaBoeryetexceptsomepoordevilsofprisonersbutyoucanseeeveryEnglishwhoisonahill。Theywalkalongtheskylinelikeshipsonthehorizon。Itmustbesaidforthemthatitisthemostawfulcountrytoattackintheworld。Itisimpossibletogiveanyideaofitsdifficulties。HoweverIcantellyouthatwhenIgetbacktothecenterofcivilization。DoyouknowIhaven'theardfromyousinceIleftNewYorkontheSt。Louis。AllyourletterstoLondonwentastray。Whatlotsyouwillhavetotellmebutdon'tletCharleyworry。I
won'ttalkaboutthewarthistime。Ineverwanttohearofitagain。
DICK。
LADYSMITH。March1st，1899。
DEARCHAS:
ThisisjustalinetosayIgotinherewiththefirstafteragallopoftwelvemiles。Keepthisformeandtheenvelope。
Withmyloveandbestwishes——
DICK。
LADYSMITH，March3，1900。
DEARMOTHER:
Thecolumncameintotowntoday，2200men，guns，cavalry，ambulances，lancers，navygunsandoxen。Itwasamostcruelassaultuponone'sfeelings。Thegarrisonlinedthestreetsasasalutingguardofhonorbutonlyoneregimentcouldstanditandtheothersallsatdownonthecurbonlyrisingtocheertheheadofeachnewregiment。Theyareyellowwithfever，theirteethprotrudingandtheskindrawntightovertheirskeletons。Theincomingarmyhadhadfourteendayshardfightingattheendofthreemonthscampaigningbutwererobustandtannedraggedandcakedwithmud。Astheycameintheycheeredandthegarrisontriedtocheerbackbutitwaslikeawhisper。
WinstonChurchillandIstoodinfrontofGen。Whiteandcriedforanhour。ForthetimeyouforgotBoersandthecause，orthelackofcauseofitall，andsawonlythesideofitthatwasbeforeyou，thestarvinggarrisonrelievedbymenwhohadlostalmostoneoutofeverythreeintryingtohelpthem。I
wasrathertoopreviousingettinginandlikeevery-oneelsewhocamefromoutsidegaveawayeverythingIhadsothatnowI'masbadlyoffastherestofthem。Yesterdaymyrationsforthedaywerefourbiscuitsandanounceofcoffeeandoftea，withcornwhichtheycallmealieswhichIcouldnoteatbutwhichsavedmyhorse'slife。HeisaBoerponyIboughtfromaTommyfortwopoundstenandhe'sworthbothoftheothertwoforwhichIpaid$125apiece。TomorrowthewagoncarryingmysupplieswillbeinandIcangetmillionsofthings。Italmostapallsmetothinkhowmany。Especiallycleanclothes。I'vesleptintheseforfourdays。IgotoffsomestorieswhichIhopewillreadwell。Ican'tcomplainnowthatIsawtheraisingofthissiege。ButIhopewedon'tstaystill。Iwanttoseealotquicklyandgetout。Thisisverysafewarfare。Yousitonahillandthearmydoestherest。Mysciaticaisnottroublingmeatall。LovetoyouallandGodblessyou。
DICK。
LADYSMITH，March4th，1900。
DEAR，DEARMOTHER:
TodayIgotthefirstletterIhavehadfromyousincewelefthome。Itwassuchhappinesstoseeyourdearsweethandwritingagain。Itwasjustlikeseeingyouforaglimpse，orhearingyouspeak。IamsohungryfornewsofNoraandChasandyouall。I
knowyou'vewritten，butthelettershavemissedsomehow。IsentyoursrightbacktoCecilwhoisverylonelyatpresent。
SomersethasgonetothefrontandJim——home——Blessedword!A
littlemiddyrodeuptometodayandbeganbysaying"I'mgoinghome。I'mORDEREDthere。Home——ToEngland!"HeseemedtothinkIwouldnotunderstand。Heprattledonlikeachildsayingwhatluckhehadhad，thathehadbeenbesiegedinLadysmithandseenlotsoffightingandwouldgetamedalandallthewhilehewas"justamiddy。""Butisn'titawfultothinkofourchapsthatwereleftontheship"hesaidquitemiserably。Itisabeastlydullwar。Thewholethingisso"class"andfullof"form"andtraditionandworryingover"putties"andetiquetteandrank。ItisthemostwonderfulorganizationIeverimaginedbutitislikeabeautifullocomotivewithoutanengineer。
TheBoersoutplaytheminintelligenceeveryday。Thewholearmyisofficeredbyoneclassandthatthedullone。ItisliketheHouseofPeers。Youwouldnotbelievethemistakestheymake，theawfulwayinwhichtheysacrificethelivesofofficersandmen。AndtheylettheBoersescape。IwatchedtheBoersforfourhourstheotherdayescapingafterthebattleofPietersandIasked，notbecauseIwantedthemcapturedbutjustasamilitaryproposition"Whydon'tyousendoutyourcavalryandlightartilleryandtakethosewagons？"Thestaffofficergiggledandsaid"Theymightkillus。"Idon'tknowwhathemeant；neitherdidhe。However，I'msickofitbutthere'snothingelsetotalkof。IhateallthepeopleaboutmeandthisdirtytownandIwishIwasback。AndI'mgoingtoo。I'llhavestartedbythetimeyougetthis。
Imeantocutoutofthissoonbutdon'timagineI'minanydanger。I'mtakingd——dgoodcaretokeepoutofdanger。NooneismoredeterminedonthatthanIam。DearMother，thisissuchadullletterbutyoumustforgiveme。Iwasneversohomesickandboredinmylife。ItwillbebetterwhenIgoouttomorrowinmygreententandleavethisbeastlyhole。I
likethetentlife，andthehorsesandbeingclean。I'vereallystarvedhereforfourdaysandhaven'thadacleanthingonme。GodblessyouallanddearNoraGodblessherandChasandtheLoneFisherman。
DICK。
OutsideLadysmith。
5thMarch，1900。
DEARESTMOTHER:
IwasabrutetowriteasIdidlastnight。ButIwassoblueinthatmiserabletown!!!Itwassofoulanddirty。ThetownsmeltasbadasJohnstown。Myroominthesocalledhotelstunk，thedirtwasalloverthefloorandtheservantshadtobepaidtodoeverythingeventobringyouatowel——andthenI
hadnoplacetowriteorbealone，andnothingtoeat——Thepoorsoulsatmytablewhohadbeeninthesiege，whentheygotalittlebitofsugaroracanofcondensedmilkwouldcarryitofffromthetableasthoughitwereadiamonddiadem——IdidthesamethingmyselfforIcouldn'teatwhattheygavemeandsoIcorruptedthecanteendealerandboughttinthings——I'vereallyneverwantedtobaccosomuchandfoodasIhavehere——togiveawayImean，foritwassomethingwonderfultoseewhatitmeanttothem。Threetrooperscameintothediningroomyesterdayandaskediftheycouldbuysometeaandwereturnedoutsorudelythatitseemedtohurtthemmuchmorethanthefactthattheywerehungry:IfollowedthemoutandbeggedthemtocomebacktomyverandahandhaveteawithmebuttheyatfirstwouldnotbecausetheyknewIhadwitnessedwhathadhappenedinthehotel。Theybelongedtoaverygoodregimentandtheyhadbeenstarvedforfourmonths。
ButinspiteoftheirindependenceIgotthemtomyporch。Ihadjustpurchasedatawfulpricesafewdelicacieslikesugarandtobacco，marmaladeandabottleofwhiskey。SoIgavethemtothemandIneverenjoyedanythingsomuch——ThepooryellowfacedskeletonsateinabsolutesilencestillfightingwiththeirprideuntilItoldthemIwasanAmericanandwasacanteencontractor'sfriend——ThenIgavethemsegarsanditwastoopitiful——Inourcolumn，ifyougiveamansomethingextrahesaysalotandswearsit'sthebestdrinkorthebestsegarorthatyou'rethebestchapheevermet——JustasIsayittothemwhentheygivemethings。Butthesestarvedbodiestriedtobeverypoliteandconversationaloneverysubjectexceptfood——whenIofferedthemthesegarswhichcouldonlybegotthenatadollartwenty-fiveapiecetheyhadnotcostmethatasIhadboughttheminCapeTownfortwocentsapiece!
WhathasDadtosaytothatforeconomy？TheyacceptedthemquiteasthoughitwasinHavana——andthenleanedbackandwentoffintoopiumdreams——Imaginethefirstsegarafterthreemonths。Iamoutherenowonabluff，withtwotreesinfrontandgreathillswithnameshistoricalofthesiegeofLadysmith——nameswhichIrefusetolearnorremember——IamperfectlycomfortableandwereitnotforCecilperfectlycontent——Ifshewereonlyhereitwouldbeperfectlymagnificent——IhavearetinuethatwoulddocredittotheWarringtonsintheVirginians——ThreeKaffirboyswhorefusetoyieldtomysenseofthepicturesqueandgonakedliketheirlesseffetebrothers，twooxenandthreeponies，alittlepuppyIfoundstarvedinLadysmithandfedoncompressedbeeftablets。IcallherLadysmithandshesleepsbesidemycotandinmylapwhenIamreading——Ihavealsoabeautifultentwithtapewindowpanes，ventilators，pocketsinside，doorsthatloopupandredknobs；also，itisgreensothattheantswon'teatit。Alsotwotables，twochairs，abathtub，twolanterns，andacapecart——andafoldingbed——
InCubaIhadtwosaddlebagsandwasjustascleanandjustashappy。Oneboydoesnothingbutpolishmybootsandgaitersandharness，sothatIlookaswellastheofficerswhoarenotmuchgoodatanythingbutthat。ImusttellyouwhatIthinkisthesaddeststoryofthesiege——Theycouldnotfeedthehorses，sotheykeptpartofthemforscouting，parttoeatanddrove3，000ofthemtowardstheBoers。Being，welltrainedcavalryhorses，theydidnotknowhowtoeatgrass，soatbuglecallthewhole3，000cametrottingbackagainandsentrieswereplacedateverystreettostampedethembackintotheveldt——OnehorsefromonebatterymetoutintheprairieanotherhorsethathadbeenitsgunmateinanartilleryregimentfiveyearsbeforeinIndiaandthetwopoorthingscamegallopingbacksidebysideandpassedthesentriesandintothelinesanddrewupbesidetheirbattery。
Anotherhorsefounditsrideractingassentryandwhenthemantriedtodriveitawayitthoughthewasplayingwithitandkeptcomingbackandfinallythemanbroughtitintothecolonelandcriedandaskedifitmighthavehalfofhisrationsofcorn。GoodnightandGodblessyouallwithallmylove。
DICK。
March15th，1900。
DEARMOTHER:
IamonmywaybacktoCapeTown。ThisseemedbetterthanstayingwithBullerwhowillnotmovefortwoorthreeweeks。
IshalleithergostraightuptoRoberts，orwewillreturntoLondon。IhaveseenthereliefofLadysmithandgotaverygoodideaofitall，andIdonotknowbutwhatIshallquitnow。IstartedintoolatetodomuchwithitandasitisI
haveseenagreatdeal。Itisneitheraninterestingcountrynoraninterestingwar。ButIdon'thavetostayheretoobligeanybody。IfIdogouptoRobertsitwillonlybetostayforthreeweeksatthemostandonlythenifthereisfighting。Iwon'tgoifheisrestingasBulleris。Sothiswillexplainwhywestarthomesosoon。IamverygladI
came。IwouldhavebeenverysorryalwaysifIhadnot，butmyheartisnotinitas，ofcourse，itwasinourwar。
SometimestheyfightalldayusingsevenoreightregimentsandkillaterriblelotoffinesoldiersandcapturefortyBoerfarmersandtwowomen。ItisnotthekindofwarIcaretoreport。"Normeanto!"IcannotmakeabookoutofwhatlittleI'veseenbutIwillcomeoutabouteven。IthasbeenveryroughonCecil。TodayIwenttotheMaineandaskedLadyRandolphtogivemealiftdowntoCapeTownastheshipgetstheretwodaysaheadoftheCastleSteamer。
So，theywereapparentlyverygladtohavemeandI
amgoingonSaturday。IlikeitontheshipwhereIhavebeenspendingthedayasitisfuntakingcareofthewoundedandlisteningtotheirstories。IamtowriteanarticleforhernextAngloSaxonmagazineonthePassingoftheWarCorrespondent。TheideaisthathemusteitherdisappearaltogetherliketheVivandiereorbeallowedtodohiswork。
AsitisnowtheGovernmentforceshimupontheGeneralsagainsttheirwillandsotheygetbackbytakingitoutofhim。EithertheyshouldpersuadetheGovernmentthattheirobjectionstohimareweightyandsuppresshimaltogether，orrecognizehimasapartoftheoutfit。Idon'tmuchcarewhichasIcertainlywouldneveragaingowithanEnglisharmy。IamsorrythelettershomehavebeensodullbutI
havehadratherhardluckstraightthrough，andthedistancesaresoverygreatandthetimespentincoveringthemseemsverywasteful。IshallbegladIsawitbecauseitisthebiggestthingastoscalethatIeversawofthesort，andI
couldnothaveaffordedtohavemissedbeinginit。Itisthefirstbigmodernwarandalltheconditionsandweaponsarenew。Idon'tthinktheEnglishhavelearnedanythingbyit，becausethefaultliesentirelywiththeirofficerswhoareallornearlyallofoneclass。
DICK。
March25th，1900。
CapeTown。
ThisisjusttoexplainourplansandastheytakeabitofexplainingthisismeantfortheHousesofClarkandofDavis。
So，passiton——AfterLadysmithwasrelievedBullerdecidedhewouldnotmoveforamonth，soIcamebacktojoinRoberts。I
couldnotdothatonfirstarrivingbecausetherewasaMailmanwithhim。ImeanttodoitlaterasaHeraldman，andtoletTheMailgo。Butonarrivinghere，havingspentaweekincomingandhavingsoldallmyoutfitataloss，IfoundthatRobertsdidnotintendtomoveforthreeweekseither。SoI
decidedIhadseenenoughtojustifymyreturning。Therewereotherreasons，thechiefonebeingthattheEnglishirritatedmeandIhadsolittlesympathywiththemthatIcouldnotwritewithanypleasureoftheirwork。MysportingbloodrefusedtoboilatthespectacleofsuchamonsterEmpiregettingtheworstofitfromanuntrainedbandoffarmers——I
foundIadmiredthefarmers。SowedecidedtochuckitandgotoLondon。Iwouldnothavemisseditforanything。Iwouldneverhavebeensatisfied，ifwehadnotcome。Ihaveseenmuchofthecountryandthepeople，andofthearmyanditswonderfulorganizationanddiscipline。Ienjoyedtwobattles——andthereliefofLadysmithisoneofthethingstohaveseen，almostthebest，ifnotthebest。EveryofficerandcorrespondentagreesthatIgotthepickofthefightingandthe"beststory。"Bytheway，IbeatalltheLondonpapersingettingoutthenewsbyoneday。Atleast，soPryor，TheMailmanagertellsme。Thepaperwasverymuchpleased。WehavenowdecidedtocomehomebytheEastCoast。
ItwasCecil'sideaandwishandIwasonlytoogladtodoit。
Shesayswecertainlywillnevercometothiscountryagain。
Godhelpusifwedo——andthatitwouldbecriminaltospendseventeenblankdaysontheWestcoastwhenwecouldfillintheentiretripNorthontheEastCoastatmanyports。Itisarathercomplicatedtripasonehastochangefrequentlybutitwillbeagreatthingtohaveseen。CecilhasreallyseennothingatCapeTownandonthistripshewillbepaidforalltheboredomthathasgonebefore。Ihavebeenoverpartofitandamsure。DurbanaloneisoneofthemostcuriouscitiesI