to Charles Baxter

Monastier, at Morel’s [September 1878].
Lud knows about date, vide postmark.

MY DEAR CHARLES,—Yours (with enclosures) of the 16th to hand.  All work done.  I go to Le Puy to-morrow to dispatch baggage, get cash, stand lunch to engineer, who has been very jolly and useful to me, and hope by five o’clock on Saturday morning to be driving Modestine towards the Gévaudan.  Modestine is my ânesse; a darling, mouse-colour, about the size of a Newfoundland dog (bigger, between you and me), the colour of a mouse, costing 65 francs and a glass of brandy.  Glad you sent on all the coin; was half afraid I might come to a stick in the mountains, donkey and all, which would have been the devil.  Have finished Arabian Nights and Edinburgh book, and am a free man.  Next address, Poste Restante, Alais, Gard.  Give my servilities to the family.  Health bad; spirits, I think, looking up.—Ever yours,

R. L S.