e miles off and as soon as I see him I
mean to begin to ride or run the other way--no one loves himself more
than I do so you leave me to take care of myself. I wish I could give
you any idea of the contempt the four returned correspondents who
talked to me, have for the Spaniards. They have seen them shoot 2,500
rounds without hitting men at 200 yards and they run away if the enemy
begins on them first. However, you trust to Richard-- We have a fine
escort arranged for us and Michaelson speaks Spanish perfectly and has
been six months scouting over the country.

DICK.

KEY West, December 26, 1896.

DEAR FAMILY:

I got your letters late last night and they made me pretty solemn. It
is an awfully solemn thing to have people care for you like that and to
care for them as I do. I can't tell you how much I love you. You
don't know how much the pain of worrying you for a month has meant to
me, but I have talked it all out with myself, and left it to God and I
am sure I am doing right. As Mrs. Crown said, "There's a whole
churchful up here praying for you," and I guess that will pull me
through. Of course, dear, dear Mother thought she was cross with me.
She could not be cross with me, and her letter told me how much she
cared, that was all, and made me be extra careful. But I need not
promise you to be careful. You have an idea I am a wild,
filibustering, hot-headed young man. I am not. I gave the guides to
understand their duty was to keep us out of danger if we had to walk
miles to avoid it. We are men of peace, going in, as real estate
agents and coffee-planters and drummers are going in on every steamer,
to attend to our especial work and get out again quick. I have just as
strong a prejudice against killing a man as I have against his killing
me.

Lots and lots of love. Don't get scared if you don't hear for a month,
although we will try to get our stories back once a week, but you know
we are at the convenience of the Cubans who will pocket our despatches
and money and not take the long trip back. Thank dear Dad for his
letter full of good advice. It was excellent. Remington and Michelson
are good men and I like them immensely. Already we are firm friends.

Love,

KEY WEST--January 1, 1897.

DEAR MOTHER:

As you will know by my telegram we are either off on a safe sea going
boat or waiting for one. There is no turning back from here and the
only reason I thought of doing so was