The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-08
DOWN In CUBA.
Soldier Boys VIII Find Other Enc
mics than Spaninrds.

have to face; and that the nightly battles
with an invisible foe may prove more dis
tressing than the open engagements with
the Dons. In these midnight encounters
there will be no encoura ging shout, no mar
tial music, smell of powder, and, may
add. no hope of victory Wherever the
Spaniard has set his foot the ingenious and
energetic flea has followed. and his num-
bers are as the sands of the sea or the
leaves Of the forest. 1t is true that this en-
terITisng insect is not unknown within the
borders of Hoosierdom. but 1t is equally
true that the northern type Is mild in man
ners, sluggish in action and easily discour-
aged by an aggressive broom Not so his
southern cousin, which Is celebrated alike
for alertness, ferocity and an unquenchable
thirst for blood. To escape these pests
seems impossible. but the horrors Of a trop-
ical night may be mitigated to some extent,
providing one is fortunate enough to pos
sess the means, which consists in simply
rubbing the body lightly with cloth which
has been saturated with coal oil and al
lowed to become almost dry. A traveller
recently returned from Southern California,
where similar conditions exist, assured the
writer that he had thoroughly tested the
remedy as given above with most happy re-
suits. Make a note of this, and put small
flask of preventive in your inside pocket.
After fleas the foes most dreaded are the
mosquitoes, which occur in binding sVarms
on the Cuban coast. Like the tropical flea,
they possess an appetite that is never salts
fed, and exhibit degree Of enterprise and
industry that ought to be a perpetual ex-
ample to the somewhat indolent inhab-
itants. They are not discouraged by the
in the light of challenge and swoop down
on the unhappy victim in clouds, attacking
simultaneously the front and rear, right and
left TANKS until the prosecuted wretch
falls exhausted by his frantic but unavail-
ing struggles against an innumerable host.
Having occasion a few years since to visit
the Bay islands off the coast of Honduras,
I had an opportunity to witness the battles
between the ragged soldiers Of the republic
and the winged legions. From sunrise to
sunset the sea breeze kept the barracks
comparatively free from the enemy, but as
the sun dropped into the western sea the
wind fell, and d reactionary current set in
from the land, bringing with it millions Of
hungry and defiant mosquitoes, who recog-
nized no law but that of might, and Sc
cure in their strength, fell on the defense
everything before them in their resstless
charge. The poor natives have but one
means Of defense, that is smoke, and the
only signs of activity observed during our
stay was the daily preparation for their
periodical but hopeless contest. About an
hour before sunset the soldiers would be
seen gathering grass and green brush,
which they arranged in piles here and there
oh
dusk, and a few minutes later the beach
was hidden under a white cloud that ex-
tended to the right and left like a huge
sheet, completely obliterating the buildings
along the water front Our own party, not
caring to enter the lists against such odds,
retired to our vessel about p. M, where we
spent the night in peace and security, rock
ing gently with the Slight swell that broke
over the coral rocks with a continuous
boom that came family across the water
with sound at once melancholy and pro-
phetic. Besides the ever present flea and
the persistent mosquito, the brave Yankees
viii meet sand flies, chiggers (chigoes),
centipedes, scorpions and ticks of many
styles, but all equally sociable and anxious
TO show their deep regard for the stranger
py sticking closer than a brother and whose
parting VIII cause pain If not regret. How
ever the first and last mentioned members
of this devoted family are simply an
noying. while the danger arising from
the sting of the scorpion has been great
ly exaggerated and the bite of the CEN
tlpede, while painful. is not necessarily
fataI. Prompt application Of the usual anti
dotes nearly always gives immediate relief
More to be dreaded than the insect plaques
are the malignant fevers, which can only be
guarded against by careful attention to the
sanitary conditions of the camp and a strict
observance of the laws of health by the in
dividual, which means temperate living,
frequent bathing and the cautious use of al
coholic beverages. During a six months
cruise along the Central American coast
and neighboring islands the writer had
many opportunities to observe the effect of
disease on the different classes of patients
not scientifically, Of course, but superb
cially. We noted the fact that natives fell
before the malady as readily as the
stranger; also that in almost every instance
the patient who was addicted to the habit
ual use of the national drink, ''aguardi-
ente. or the more refined French brandy
the disease proved fatal, many dying within
for fSSTtyy, y hours after &he appearance Of
came into contact with number of cases
where the patients belonged to the ranks Of
the teetotalerS, not always from moral prin-
ciples, but for the immunity they enjoyed
from the dangers arising from close prox-
unity to the miasmatic swamps that line
the coasts, a more effective defense than all
the rusty cannon combined
A few miles inland, on the slopes of the
mountains, the climate is superb. and as
healthful, perhaps as any in the world
But with all its disagreeabie and dangerous
accompaniments, campaign in Cuba will
not be without compeEsating features. If
the coolest, and if there should be some
nights Of storm, there will be no frost and
the short days will be bright with sun
shine Then there will be the charm of nov
elty-beautiful coast scenery, with the wide
eXpanse of sea smiling up at the deep blue
sky or hurting the Surges Shoreward with
a sound like distant thunder; back of all the
mountains, rising to the clouds, but crowned
with Verdure to their very SUBMITS, distant
ranges looming up beyond the foothills
dim, vast, acknowledgement fields of cane
on the lowlands, and thousands of cocoanut
palms. banana walks and on the higher
slopes coffee Plantations; hundreds Of
strange forms of life on sea and land will
be studied with interest and pleasure One
of the most beautiful sights of the night is
the myriads of firefies darting here and
there like shooting stars; these are quite diff
ferent from the northern variety with which
all are familiar The light is given out with
a steady glow from two headlights situated
on the forehead just above the ewes So
strong is this white glare that one can tell
the time, or read fine print by the light
and the natives frequently assemble dozen
in bottle to take the place of candles.
when those articles are not readily obtain
able. They are harmless and may be ham
died with impunity. Most cohspicuous
among the birds is the black buzzard who
will walk about the camp with as much as
surance as though he owned it-sharnblinp
and awkward on the ground, but 4nagnifi-
cent in flight. sailing for hours apparently
without moving a feather. Pelicans eulls
and focks of brilliant green parrots will
add to the life of the shore And when the
boys come marching home how ouicl<IT
the disagreeable part of their experience
will be forgotten! Only the beautiful DAYS