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some one to lie about me and manufacture sensations. In one way I am very grateful to them for it, because it has given us a fine lot of advertising, though perhaps at the price of having all you who were interested in are cruelly alarmed. As near as I can gather Laura has stood it beautifully, refusing to become panic-stricken, and keeping up her courage like the bravest of brave, sweet women that she is.

I do not understand why the European dispatch-makers have attacked me so viciously. To tell the plain truth, I am glad they did; but I shall have some fun with one or two of them before I get through. Especially, that Col. Fielden. Wait till I get to London, and I will look him up. You were right; poor Ogen was starving to death surrounded by seven tons of provisions — better food than he ever ate in his life before! His sickness was home-sickness and the medicine left for him by Fielden was whisky!

We hear there have been many other lies, but as yet we do not know what they are.

I must close to catch the mail. Will write again soon. Wish I knew how you all are, especially mother and father.

My health magnificent. Didn't miss a meal nor have any use for medicines on the whole trip. Slept like a policeman. Enjoyed it. Bathed, naked, in the icy sea. Enjoyed the whole thing, and glad I did it. Am now in good spirits — not at all soured or gloomy — the sun is just as bright and love and life just as sweet as ever. We are waiting for Bottalfsen to get back from Spitzbergen, when we shall start home. I want to go to Paris and London, and hope to reach