On the other hand I am on the best ship from which to see things and on the safest, as she can move quicker and is more heavily armored than any save the battleships-- The fact that the admiral is on board and that she is the flagship is also a guarantee that she will not be allowed to expose herself.

I was very badly scared when I first came to Key West for fear I should be left especially when I didn't make the flagship-- But I have not missed a single trick so far-- Bonsal missed the bombardment and so did Stephen Crane-- All the press boats were away except The Herald's.

I had to write the story in fifteen minutes, so it was no good except that we had it exclusively-- I am sending a short story of the first shot fired to the Scribner's and am arranging with them to bring out a book on the Campaign.

I have asked them to announce it as it will help me immensely here for it is as an historian and not as a correspondent that I get on over those men who are correspondents for papers only.

I have made I think my position here very strong and the admiral is very much my friend as are also his staff.