The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-10-03
S. S. Peru, August 4, 1898.

kept on the transport Peru, detailing
Honolulu.
S. S. Peru, August 4, 1898.
We left Honolulu, the Paradise of
the Pacific" at about II to-day. The
natives and Americans came down to
see us off and threw fruit to the boys.
Some, who had made acquaintance
among the girls, We're decked with
wreaths and flowers, and all the people
to the last expressed the same kindly
feeling we have met with from the
first day.
The cruisers Philadelphia and Mohi-
can fired salutes, and were answered
with cheers from the men. We We're
given cheers and shouts of, Take care
of yourselves" etc, from a ship flying
the British flag, and slowly steamed
away
r leaves a sweetheart in Hon
olulu, a little girl whose father was
white, but whose ma is kanaka. They
have been feasting him and loaded him
and Smith with fruit, flowers and to-
bacco when we left. They own 500
acres of sugar, and property in Homo
lulu The old lady told Frank if he
would come back and marry her little
girl he might have the best Of every
thing, and nothing to do as long as
he lived. Not bad offer, as she has
been educated at a seminary, and is
quite attractive. They wanted him to
desert and stay with their folks on an
other island.
It is quite cool and breezy tonight
None have shown signs of seasickness
as yet Have just written off lot Of
II 1,oTI Isle
on the upper deck one night in every
three, bathing daily to be resumed To-
morrow and every enlisted man to go
barefooted after to-day.
At roll call, just before we left, there
were about a dozen deserters, three out
Of our troop-Charles MINI, a fellow
clerk on the boat, who was married the
day before we left San Francisco; Dick
OMeara, a sailor, whom the boys ad-
mired because he was a good boxer. and
Harding, the mammals baby boy" Of
the troop. They were in confinement
most Of the way out for absence at
San Francisco, tried and fined and dis
appeared the day before yesterday.
The men who appear to know some
thing of the regulations say that it will
mean ten years for them, and as they
CdlilOl get Oll TIC 4SISl1AO, anu Liz PO-
lice have descriptions, it looks bad for
them.
The food (ah! this is the only topic!)
is better than the first day out of San
Francisco. The cooks have learned to
throw together simple slum Of meat,
onions, rice and potatoes, which goes
very well, and the tea is fairly good.
The men are all in good spirits, and
&c civ ~, oil o~+co IF Ha
vessel; a good many Of the boys are
keeping records like this; we may never
have a chance to send them home, but
it occupies my mind and I enjoy it.
I have very little to do and do more
reading than I have had time to do for
several years, make myself comfort
able and have slept all afternoon.
August 5th-Still warmer to-day, run
ming at good speed, probably to overtake
the Pennsylvania and Rio The Captain
has said he is TO take us through in sew
enteen days. The men are all bare
footed this morning, and having great
mirth over one another's feet. Several
refused TO comply, but were given ex-
ira fatigue, and promptly removed
their shoes; most of the men have
shaken their heavy blue shirts, and the
present uniform consists of the Red
Cross night cap and a sleeveless Gov
eminent undershirt. with soiled duck
trousers.
The upper decks are as crowded as
the grandstand on a warm day at the
races; our room has a window opposite
a hatch and a door on to an aisle and
keeps quite cool. I lie in my berth, read
and sleep by the hour, and pass the
time very pleasantly.
On the Puebla they examined the
boys hunks and made them throw
overheard all the stores they had pur-
chased, or made them return them 10
the grocers No reason can be given
for this except that they will pay them
on the way, and want them to purchase
of the Government Commissary. I
must lot down before I forget It that
night before last I overheard one of
our Captains, Wheeler, Fourth Cavalry,
on catching a boy smoking on a lower
deck, tell him he should be strung up
by the thumbs" and instructed the
Sergeant of the guard, Don't take any
LID from this man, but beat him over
the head with the butt Of q gun"
wonder If they will all develop such
traits, and how long these half starved
boys would stand 1t.
It is reported to-day that there were
seventeen deserters. HadSit been an
American port there would have been
hundreds Many speak of desertion as
the one thing they are waiting for, but
these are not the thoughtful ones, who
know better what accommodations to
expect. 1 expect raw bacon and hard
tack and will not kick until 1t comes
down to that.
Later-The men seem TO like the bare
foot plan, and some now wear nothing
but the trousers, 1t is so warm. The
decks were so hot to-day as TO burn
ones feet, but additional awnings We're