I Must Tell You At Once That I Have The Little Greyhound.
I simply
took matters in my own hands and got him!
We came only five miles our
first day out, and after the tents had been pitched that night and the
various dinners commenced, it was discovered that many little things
had been left behind, so General Phillips decided to send an ambulance
and two or three men back to the post for them, and to get the mail at
the same time. It so happened that Burt, our own striker, was one of
the men detailed to go, and hen I heard this I at once thought of the
puppy I wanted so much. I managed to see Burt before he started, and
when asked if he could bring the little dog to me he answered so
heartily, "That I can, mum," I felt that the battle was half won, for
I knew that if I could once get the dog in camp he would take care of
him, even if I could not.
Burt brought him and kept him in his tent that night, and the little
fellow seemed to know that he should be good, for Burt told me that he
did not whimper once, notwithstanding it was his first night from his
mother and little companions. The next morning, when he was brought to
me, Faye's face was funny, and after one look of astonishment at the
puppy he hurried out of the tent - so I could not see him laugh, I
think. He is quite as pleased as I am, now, to have the dog, for he
gives no trouble whatever. He is fed condensed milk, and I take care
of him during the day and Burt has him at night. He is certainly much
better behaved in the ambulance than either of the small boys who step
upon our feet, get into fierce fights, and keep up a racket generally.
The mothers have been called upon to settle so many quarrels between
their sons, that the atmosphere in the ambulance has become quite
frigid.
The day we came from the post, while I was grieving for the little
greyhound and many other things I had not been permitted to bring with
me, and the rocking-chair was bruising my ankles, I felt that it was
not dignified in me to submit to the treatment I was being subjected
to, and I decided to rebel. Mrs. Barker and her small son had been
riding on the back seat, and I felt that I was as much entitled to a
seat here as the boy, nevertheless I had been sitting on the seat with
Mrs. Phillips's servant and riding backward. This was the only place
that had been left for me at the post that morning. After thinking it
all over I made up my mind to take the small boy's seat, but just
where he would sit I did not know.
When I returned to the ambulance after the next rest - I was careful to
get there first - I sat down on the back seat and made myself
comfortable, but I must admit that my heart was giving awful thumps,
for Mrs. Barker's sharp tongue and spitfire temper are well known. My
head was aching because of my having ridden backward, and I was really
cross, and this Mrs. Barker may have noticed, for not one word did she
say directly to me, but she said much to her son - much that I might
have resented had I felt inclined. The small boy sat on his mother's
lap and expressed his disapproval by giving me vicious kicks every few
minutes.
Not one word was said the next morning when I boldly carried the puppy
to that seat. Mrs. Barker looked at the dog, then at me, with great
scorn, but she knew that if she said anything disagreeable Mrs.
Phillips would side with me, so she wisely kept still. I think that
even Faye has come to the conclusion that I might as well have the
dog - who lies so quietly in my lap - now that he sees how I am
sandwiched in with rocking-chairs, small boys, and servants. The men
march fifty minutes and halt ten, each hour, and during every ten
minutes' rest Harold and I take a little run, and this makes him ready
for a nap when we return to the ambulance. From this place on I am to
ride with Mrs. Cole, who has her own ambulance. This will be most
agreeable, and I am so delighted that she should have thought of
inviting me.
Camping out is really very nice when the weather is pleasant, but the
long marches are tiresome for everybody. The ambulances and wagons are
driven directly back of the troops, consequently the mules can never
go faster than a slow walk, and sometimes the dust is enough to choke
us. We have to keep together, for we are in an Indian country, of
course. I feel sorry for the men, but they always march "rout" step
and seem to have a good time, for we often hear them laughing and
joking with each other.
We are following the Arkansas River, and so far the scenery has been
monotonous - just the same rolling plains day after day. Leaving our
first army home was distressing, and I doubt if other homes and other
friends will ever be quite the same to me. Lieutenant Baldwin was
assisted to the porch by his faithful Mexican boy, so he could see us
start, and he looked white and pitifully helpless, with both arms
bandaged tight to his sides. One of those dreadful dogs is in camp and
going to Camp Supply with us, and is as frisky as though he had done
something to be proud of.
This cannot be posted until we reach Fort Dodge, but I intend to write
to you again while there, of course, if I have an opportunity.
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