Chapter Text
November 13th, 1890
Dear Mr. Mark Reddings,
I hate to disturb your quiet home with such a letter, but I was unable to conjure up another name that this could find and be prosperous in its intent.
As you were likely already informed, I invited your brother to join me in my expedition through the Florida Everglades to witness for himself the grandeur of this fine place. I sent Joseph instructions to meet with my old companion, one Mr. Angus, who had graciously agreed to carry my dearest friend. They arrived late at night on the first of this month, their coming announced by a rather unpleasant screeching horn that roused me from my sleep. I helped greet the weary sailors, and was unfortunately informed that Joseph’s sickness prevented him from being roused from his chambers. Apparently the rocking of the boat did not help him fare any better than he does upon land.
They didn’t permit anyone to see him for the first three days of our visit, and when he finally emerged, I dare say that his temperament had been thoroughly soured by his travels. He refused to greet me with any of his typical joyous candor, instead shaking my hand as if we were strangers. I found my heart quite torn at this event, a gash further deepened as I noticed that his hands had been wrapped around with medical gauze. When I further questioned him, he said (quite blankly) that he had rubbed them raw upon the ropes of his ship.
I hate to flag concern, so I brushed it off and escorted him to our tent. Luckily, his manner greatly improved whilst we began our explorations through the wilderness, his temperament brightened by the menagerie of animals and plant life we were able to display for him.
I know you asked for a report earlier than I am sending this, but I admit I am quite distracted with his return. I’ll leave you on the positive upstroke of your brother’s utter contentment amongst the wild things. I'll urge him to write to you as quickly as possible. For now, I bid you a pleasant goodbye. Please, send my dearest blessings upon your newest son, and my deepest admiration to your wife.
Sincerely,
Robert Scotsfield
P.S. While I was preparing myself for bed alongside Joseph tonight, I noticed a neat scar up his spine whilst he was changing his shirt. When questioned, he assured me there was no such mark and to not concern myself with it. Did he undergo an operation that I was not privy to?