Royal
Albert Hall, on the 9th day of May, the General had said:--

"And now comrades and friends I must say good-bye. I am going into
dry dock for repairs, but The Army will not be allowed to suffer,
either financially or spiritually, or in any other way by my
absence, and in the long future I think it will be seen--I shall
not be here to see, but you will, that The Army will answer every
doubt and banish every fear and strangle every slander, and by its
marvellous success show to the world that it is the work of God and
that The General has been His Servant."

In his last letter to the Chief, he wrote two months later:--

"International Headquarters, London, E.C.

"_July 4, 1912_.

"My Dear Chief,--

"I am pleased to hear that you are sticking to your intention of
going away for a few days, in spite of my continued affliction, for
affliction it can truthfully be called.

"I am very poorly, and the trial of it is that I cannot see any
positive prospect of a definite, speedy recovery. But it will come;
I have never seriously doubted it. God won't let me finish off in
this disheartening manner--disheartening, I mean, to my comrades,
and to those I have to leave with the responsibility of keeping the
Banner flying. God will still do wonders, in spite of men and
devils.

"All will be well. Miriam will get well, Mary will get well, and
both be brave warriors. Florrie will flourish more than ever, and
you will be stronger; and, although it may require more patience
and skill, I shall rally!

"I am in real pain and difficulty while I dictate this. These
horrid spasms seem to sit on me like a mountain, but I felt I could
not let you go without a longer good-bye and a more affectionate
kiss than what is so ordinarily. This is a poor thing, but it
speaks of the feeling of my heart, and the most fervent prayer of
my soul. Love to all,

"Yours, as ever,

"W. B.

"The Chief of the Staff."

To his second daughter, in command of The Army in the United States,
his last letter read as follows:--

"_July 20, 1912_.

"My dear, dear Eva,--

"I had your letter. Bless you a thousand times! You are a lovely
correspondent. You don't write your letters with your pen, or with
your tongue, you write them with your heart. Hearts are