The San Francisco call., 1898-04-20
to by the boats whistle and the sol

to by the boats whistle and the sol diers' cheers.
 4 short distance further on the moni- tor Monterey was seen lying at anchor off Folsom street, and the men of the two batteries clambered on to the tops of the cars and sent three mighty cheers over the water to their comrades in arms. There was sudden commotion on the big warship, for the source of the cheering was instantly recognized. A bugle rang out the call to quarters. and, while the crew was forming In line on deck, three blasts Of her siren, loud- CT, more piercing than that of any ship that ever reverberated over the waters of the bay, gave a godspeed to the vanguard of warriors that could be heard from Kearny street to the Alameda shore.
 Then the sailor boys burst into cheers, and, while the Transit's whistle was responding, the revenue cutter U. s. Grant, anchored a short distance from the Monterey, added her voice to the roar. The shouts of the throngS left behind on the dock still came faint ly across the water, and the soldiers made no attempt to curb their enthu- siasm. Tiny flags, that had been thrust into their hands by school children along the route or draped around their slOuch hats by sweethearts or wives, were waved with a vim while they shouted until they were hoarse.
 Half way to Goat Island the big ferry boat Oakland was met. The boats exchanged the customary salutes, while the passengers crowded to the rail and cheered and waved hats and handkerchiefs. Again the soldiers sent forth their voices. answering cheer with cheer until the boats had drawn so far apart that the sound could not be heard.
 At the torpedo station in Shelter Cove, Goat Island, the lighthouse ten- der Madrona lay tied to the wharf, and she, too saluted the departing soldiers. For a brief interval comparative quiet reigned, only to be broken as the Tran sit drew near to Oakland Creek. The ferry boat Encinal, lying at the nar- row gauge slip, was the first to greet the soldiers, her whistle and the an- swering toots from the Transit arous- ing the lightkeeper who lives in the lit- tie house perched up on stilts at the end of the restraining wall. Hastily running up the stars and stripes on the flagstaff he dipped the colors three times and then started the deep-toned fogbell to changing. The locomotives on the pier joined in the greeting, while the people there cheered Justify.
 It was one long ovation during the entire run to Peralta-street landing, and it did not end even there, for the residents of Oakland had yet to offer up their tribute. Quite a crowd was then gathered on the dock, but it was then o'clock, and many who had waited all the. afternoon to get a parting glimpse of the men had gone home.
 There was no time for the exchange of compliments then, and silently the men marched off the boat and over to the long train of coaches-if such they may be termed-in waiting beside the ferry slip to convey them across the continent.
 The Southern Pacific receives $40 per man to Tennessee, more than some roads charge second class passengers to New York, and furnish them with comfortable sleepers, yet the cars pro- vided for the artillerymen were hardly fit to herd cattle in. They were the oldest and cheapest owned by the com pany, and were practically abandoned long ago, the only use to which they have been put for years being to run to and from the race tracks. They were at one time used as emigrant sleepers. but the uncovered board seats have been nailed up so that they can no longer be made into the semblance of a bed. Into these poorly ventilated, comfortless cars the men tumbled with
 
 accouterments hastened to the baggage cars to procure their knapSackS, blan- kets and overcoats.
 A detail was told off to supply the men with rations from the commissary car, for they carry their own supplies with them as well as fodder for the horses. Great loaves of bread fully two feet long and as light and wholesome as was ever baked were distributed in generous quantities throughout the cars, together with cans of beans, cold meats and vegetables. There was no opportunity to make or purchase coffee so the canteens were filled from the water tanks and the men proceeded to attack their cold supper with as keen a relish as though they were back in their old quarters at the Presidio bar racks.
 A Pullman s'neper was attached for the accommodation of the officers, and twenty minutes after the Transit reached the slip the long train started. It was in one section with two engines when it left Oakland, the cars contain ing the horses, guns and baggage being in front of the passenger coaches, but it will be broken up into two or three sections when the mountains are reached.
 There was a long delay in the Oak land yards, where hundreds of people had gathered to bid the soldiers fare well. By this time supper had been