il five in the afternoon. The men who were watching
to see me give up grew more and more interested as the miles rolled out
and the First Sergeant was very fearful for his record for which he has
been recommended for the certificate of merit. The Captain was very
much pleased and all the men came and spoke to me. It must have been a
good ride for Tyler who is a fifth year man was so tired that he paid a
man to do his sentry duty. We slept at Captain Hunter's camp that last
night and we both came on this morning, riding thirty miles up to two
o'clock to-day. From here we go on into the brush again. I am very
proud of that riding record and of my beard which is fine. I will
finish this when we get near a post-office.

DICK.

February 4th-- We rode forty miles through the brush but saw nothing of
Garza, who was supposed to be in it. But we captured 3 revolutionists,
one of whom ran away but the scout got him. Hardie, Tyler, who is his
orderly, and the scout and I took them in because the rest of the
column was lagging in the rear and the Lieutenant got bally hooly for
it. Tyler disarmed one and I took away the other chaps things. Then
we took a fourth in and let them all go for want of evidence and after
some of the ranch men had identified them.

CORPUS CHRISTI, February 6.

We ended our scout yesterday, and camped at Captain Hunter's last
night-- Mother can now rest her soul in peace as I have done with
scoutings and have replaced the free and easy belt and revolver for the
black silk suspenders and the fire badge of civilization. I am still
covered with 11 days dirt but will get lots of good things to eat and
drink and smoke at Corpus Christi to night, where I will stay for two
days. I am writing this on the car and a ranger is shooting splinters
out of the telegraph poles from the window in front and has a New York
drummer in a state of absolute nervous prostration. I met the Rangers
last night as we came into camp and find them quite the most
interesting things yet. They are just what I expected to find here and
have not disappointed me. Everything else is either what we know it to
be and know all about or else is disappointingly commonplace. I mean
we know certain things are picturesque and I find them so but they have
been "done" to death and new material seems so scarce. I am sometimes
very fearful of the success of the letters-- However, the Rangers I
simply loved. They were gentle voice