Arizona silver belt., 1898-12-29

zon leland.
 CAvIrE. P. l.
 Friend Tom :-- You know when l left Globe, told the boys that when I got started nothing less than 7,OOO or S,0U0 miles would stop me. Well, Globe and I are $500 miles apart aud Tiff l can have my way, VIC are going to remain apart. I reached here after spending 42 days aboard ship, iuclud- ing eleven days stop at Honolulu. With the exception of two days, We had fine weather on the voyage. Ou arriving here the boys gave us n fine supper---lots of wine, cisars, aud music.
 We'll, as l have been here nearly three weeks, can give you some iden of the country. Cavite is almost an island, being connected with the main island only ly roadway. The Span ish had fort mounting twelve smooth bore gnns, and commanding the road way. Today the California heavy ar tillery guards that neck of land The ioit shd suLs are still there, but We have two one inch and one half-iuch rapid firing guns to do the duty work. In addition We have three guns of the same kind as a reserve, to be used any place where they may be needed. The guns are mounted, and tour men can pull gnn and caissuu any here. It takes about six to han dle them.
 Our captain is provost marssal of the town, and we are the provost guard ; in addition to which We have general guard duty to perform-four posts and abont 80 native prisoners to herd. As 1t Is We sleep in our Leds about "ne night in three. We have no duil hours, tor wbeu the boys nre of they are CihuCh oA NFEsAk VI S'ti ot T hN town IS about one miie long Ind hali mile wide; the streets and houses are like the Spanish towns yuu iead about -nafrvw streets anu sidewalks, and houses built ot stone, with tie loois. We have quarters III nn old convent, with tine big, high ceiled rooms. vide veran Ias and spacious halls, aud two cisterus up stairs-- m met Il palace.
 The SpuuInrds had fine duck ya-d, and rcpair shUp. Everything wus fixed m good shape. Two forts guarded ibat eLd of the island; fort San Felipe is ihe larger. There Ire number of old style guns mounted, some of which date back io i690. Uuder SpaIish rule Lo one Was allowed to live iu town, except employees of the government and those loyal to the crown The natives lived outside and came III every morn ing Now there are abont one thous- aud in town dolng business aud work lug for the United States goverume Tt and many come through the fines every dry.
 III INEhiu 'b roiJC cheap here. You can get drunk for about five cents ton native drink called upssw); you can buy monkey for abont 25 ceD,s; good cigar for oue ceut Ga 10 center in the Stntes) n pint of the best French chsmpaighe 5Octs and good brandy tor 4Octs a quart. With tLe exception of lew other things, living is high and good grub is hard to get.
 A rebel army of 6500 men is campcd within two miies of Cavite; their lines are about 400 yards from ours.
 Tom, if yon could only see the slev- en wrecks of Spanish warships off this town! Some of them are within loo yards of shore. It is a sight worth coming 8500 miles to see. have been out to them and have relics from all Ip my opinion, the Maine Las been well remembered.
 Admiral Dewey did first class job By the way. was down to the navy yard this morning aud saw the gentle man walking arouud. He is the dead impge of hrs picture.
 As have been over to MauiIa only n C, since came, l cannot tell you much about the city, It Is bigger than San Francisco and more compact, A river runs through the center, dividing the old from the new town. The old town is garrisoned by about 45OO Ame rcuu soldiers, and also contains 7U0D Spanish prisoners; they are very docile, and are allowed to do pbolIt as they please. and are given tue same rations dispensed to American troops. In fnct the Spaniards are treated too we'll The rest of the American troops are scattered through the new town.
 From what l can see and bear this will be good country when the war is over. have talked to a Spanish sol dier who has travelled all over the isl- and, and he says there is lots of gold, silver, copper, lead and coal on the island. The Spanish government would | not allow minerals to lie worked, and | the natives did not know how to work | them. Some of the natives tell me the | anne story.
 Lieut.. Hayne, who came over with ! us, is now on detached duty in Manila. He is minerologist by profession. He | says he has heard the same stories and believes them. am trying to get on dnty with him, and if l do, am good to stay here.
 When the volunteers arc going back to the States is bard to sny. They all want to get back. hut as t'onhle is ex- pecied most any time. I think it will be spring before the first starts The latest news we have from home is Sept. 2. About eight soldiers die here every day; they don't seem to know how to take care of themselves,
 Give my regards 10 all the hoys.
 Yours sincerely,