"I would gladly have lived, but if it is God's will that it should be otherwise, so be it.

I have no wife or near relatives to regret my loss--none, my poor boy, who will mourn for me as sincerely as I know that you will do.
In the year that we have been together I have come to look upon you as my son, and you will find that I have not forgotten you in my will.

I have written it in duplicate.

If you have an opportunity send one of these letters down to the coast.

Keep the other yourself, and I trust that you will live to carry it to its destination.