but I think I would be content to remain in the west six months if I
could. It is the necessity of leaving places I like and pushing on to
places I don't, I dislike. Reno was fine with a band and lots of fine
fellows. This post is not so queer but they are so young-- It makes a
great bit of color though with the yellow capes of the cavalry and the
soldiers wig--waging red and white flags at other soldiers eight miles
away on other mountains and the Indians in yellow buckskin and blankets
and their faces painted too. I went to the beef issue to-day--it was
not a pretty sight and most barbarous and cruel. I also went to a
council at which the chiefs were protesting against the cutting down of
their rations which is Commissioner Morgan's doing and which it is
expected will lead to war-- We went in out of curiosity and without
knowing it was a Council and were very much ashamed when one of the
Chiefs rose and said he was glad to see the officers present as they
were the best friends the Indians had and the only men they could
respect in times of peace as a friend, or in times of war as an enemy.
At which we took off our hats and sat it through. Mother's blood would
rise if she could hear the stories they tell, and they are so dignified
and polite. They have an Indian troop here, like the one described in
The Weekly, which you should read and the Captain told them I was a
great Chief from the East, whereat all the soldiers who were of noble
lineage claimed their privilege of shaking hands with me, which had a
demoralizing effect upon the formation and the white privates were
either convulsed with mirth or red with indignation. But you cannot
treat them like white men who do not know their ancestors-- Dad's
letter was the best I have ever got from him and he had always better
write when he is tired. I will always keep it.

DICK.

DENVER--March 7, 1892.

DEAR FAMILY:

I arrived in Denver Friday night and realized that I was in a city
again where the more you order people about the more they do for you,
being civilized and so understanding that you mean to tip them. I
found my first letter on the newsstand and was very much pleased with
it, and with the way they put it out. The proof was perfect and if
there had been more pictures I would have been entirely satisfied, as
it was I was very much pleased. My baggage had not come, so covered
with mud and dust and straw from the stages and generally disreputable