of Belize, to the consul at La Guayra and to one
of the phonograph chaps. In the same way if you would want to send a
medal to any man or woman prince or doctor who had been kind,
courteous, hospitable or of official service to you you would just send
in a request to the committee. Write me soon and with lots of love
DICK.
In April, 1895, Richard was back in New York, at work on his South and
Central American articles, and according to the following letters,
having a good time with his old friends.
NEW YORK, April 27, 1895.
DEAR CHAS:
I read in the paper the other morning that John Drew was in Harlem, so
I sent him a telegram saying that I was organizing a relief expedition,
and would bring him out of the wilderness in safety. At twelve I sent
another reading, "Natives from interior of Harlem report having seen
Davis Relief Expeditionary Force crossing Central Park, all well.
Robert Howard Russell." At two I got hold of Russell, and we
telegraphed "Relief reached Eighty-fifth street; natives peacefully
inclined, awaiting rear column, led by Griscom; save your ammunition
and provisions." Just before the curtain fell we sent another,
reading: "If you can hold the audience at bay for another hour, we
guarantee to rescue yourself and company and bring you all back to the
coast in safety. Do not become disheartened." Then we started for
Harlem in a cab with George and another colored man dressed as African
warriors, with assegai daggers and robes of gold and high turbans and
sashes stuck full of swords. I wore my sombrero and riding breeches,
gauntlets and riding boots, with cartridge belts full of bum cartridges
over my shoulder and around the waist. Russell had my pith helmet and
a suit of khaki and leggins. Griscom was in one of my coats of many
pockets, a helmet and boots. We all carried revolvers, canteens and
rifles. We sent George in with a note saying we were outside the
zareba and could not rescue him because the man on watch objected to
our guns. As soon as they saw George they rushed out and brought us
all in. Drew was on the stage, so we tramped into the first entrance,
followed by all the grips, stage hands and members of the company. The
old man heard his cue just as I embraced him, and was so rattled that
when he got on the stage he could not say anything, and the curtain
went down without any one knowing what the plot was about. When John
came off, I walked up to him, followed by
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