INTRODUCTION
From a letter of Captain Darius Hawkins, U. S. A., introducingRamon Bell to the Comte de Chaumont:--
"MY DEAR COUNT: I commend to your kind offices my young friendRamon Bell, the son of Captain Bell, a cavalry officer who long agowarmed his sword in the blood of the British on many abattle-field. The young man is himself a born soldier, as brave ashe is tall and handsome. He has been but a month in the army, yetI have not before seen a man who could handle horse and sword as ifthey were part of him. He is a gentleman, also, and one after yourown heart, I know, my dear count, you will do everything you can tofurther the work intrusted to him.
"Your obedient servant, "DARIUS HAWKINS."
From a letter of Joseph Bonaparte, Comte de Survilliers,introducing his friend Colonel Ramon Bell to Napoleon III ofFrance:--
"He has had a career romantic and interesting beyond that of anyman I have met in America. In the late war with England he was themaster of many situations most perilous and difficult. The scarsof ten bullets and four sabre-thrusts are on his body. It gives megreat pleasure, my dear Louis, to make you to know one of the mostgallant and chivalrous of men. He has other claims upon yourinterest and hospitality, with which he will acquaint you in hisown delightful way."