d and did not swear as the
soldiers do and some of them were as handsome men as I ever saw and SO
BIG. And such children. They showed me all their tricks at the
request of the Adjutant General, who looks upon them as his special
property. They shot four shots into a tree with a revolver, going at
full gallop, hit a mark with both hands at once, shot with the pistol
upside down and the Captain put eight shots into a board with a
Winchester, while I was putting two into the field around it. We got
along very well indeed and they were quite keen for me to go back and
chase Garza. They are sure they have him now. I gave the Captain
permission to put four shots into my white helmet. He only put two and
the rest of the company thinking their reputations were at stake
whipped out their guns and snatched up their rifles and blazed away
until they danced the hat all over the ranch. Then remorse overcame
them and they proposed taking up a collection to get me a sombrero,
which I stopped. So Nora's hat is gone but I am going to get another
and save myself from sunstroke again. The last part of the ride was
enlivened by the presence of three Mexican murderers handcuffed and
chained with iron bands around the neck, that is Texas civilization
isn't it--

I have had my dinner and a fine dinner it was with fresh fish and duck
and oysters and segars which I have not had for a week. I am finishing
this at Constantine's and will be here for two days to write things and
will then go on to King's ranch and from there to San Antonio, where I
will also rest a week. I will just about get through my schedule in
the ten weeks at this rate. I had a good time in the bush and am
enjoying it very much though it is lonely now and then-- Still, it is
very interesting and if the stories amount to anything I will be
pleased but I am constantly wondering how on earth Chas stood it as he
did. He is a hero to me for I have some hope of getting back and he
had not-- He is a sport-- How I will sleep to night--a real bed and
sheets and pajamas, after the ground and the same clothes for eleven
days.

of love.

DICK.

While Richard was travelling in the West, his second volume of short
stories, "Van Bibber and Others," was published. The volume was
dedicated to my father, who wrote Richard the following letter:

PHILADELPHIA, February 15, 1892.

MY DEAR OWN DICK:

I have not been the complete letter writer I should have been, as I