The Iola register., 1898-09-30
"SHADDER" ON THE SEA!
Private VIM. Keith, 4. 5. Engineers, Tells Of
Life on Transport Bound for
Honolulu.

On the Pacific Ocean. Aug.7.
As have been reading the letters
from the boys in blue that have been
published in the REGISTER | thought
catch the waste basket | will write
again.
belong to the L. ;. V. Engineers
We left Portland, Oregon, July :, for
San Franchises; were eucamped at the
Presidio until August 5th when we
broke camp and went aboard the
steam Schooner, Lakma, bound for
Honolulu II. /. We pulled out in the
bay the evening of the 5th and at 8 a.
m, the 9Th, we started on our trip.
AS we sailed past the Presidlo we saw
that the ground we had left the day
before had tents all over it again, the
boys from camp Merritt having taken
our place. / went over to Camp Mer-
ritt the day before we started and told
the lola boys good bye and they said
they were going to the Presidio the
next day. They were all lined up on
the beach and gave us a cheer, yes
many cheers. AS we went by whole
companies put their hats on their bay.
onets and held them up. They were
about one mile from us but we could
hear them cheer. AS we passed the
electric plant they signaled US good
bye God bless you,' then as we steam
muzzle of those big guns that protect
the harbor the signal station signsled
us "good luck".
Our boat ls crowded. We have four
companies and the officers, besides
the crew. Our boat is only $50 feet
long with 80 feet beam. We have
steam, also mainsail foresail and jib,
and make about twelve miles per
hour. The evening of the 9th we saw
whales at four different times, two
each time. The sea gull mas turned
back and in its place is bird called
the GoOmis which is about the size OF
our turkey buzzard in Kansas and
looks very much like it.. The sea is
very smooth so far but we have lots OF
sea-sick boys all around with their
heads over the railing. When any
one gets sick every body laughs, some
call out fire at will".
We have quite jolly lot ofmen and
! feel very proud to belong to as nice
body as Comp. "M." 2nd Reg. L. :
V. Engineers. We have good officers
at least Co. "M." has, our captain be-
ing the pride of our battalion. He is
liked by every one, not only by his
own men but by all, for his commission
does not hurt him.
WEDNESDAY, 10th at =. VI.
The weather is fine and every thing
nice but we have not had wind enough
to do us any good. The water is as
smooth as it is in the Neosho River,
except for the swells. 1t is as blue as
day and some flying fish. 1t is get
ting very warm and every body is
looking for shade. We are iaring
very badly for something to eat and
can't eat the vittles they give us and
the boat crew sells us the goods that
the Red Cross people gave us and we
pay good prices for the same. For a
cent box of sardines we pay % cents;
for a can of peaches 80 cts; pies 25cts.
each (5ct size). There is lots of kick
ing, but it does no good. The eve
nings are just lovely and ! do not
think that Italy can furnish nicer sun
sets than we have here on the Pacific.
1t is just like dream and must be
seen to be appreciated. | have not
missed sunrise or sunset since we
started. The early morning breeze is
just like taking stimulant. We are
100 miles out of our course trying tC
strike the trade winds and have not
seen any kind of vessels since the eve
ming of the 9th.
FRIDAY II
AS this has been quite an eventual
day, l will write some more.
At Ga. m. everybody was ordered
on deck and the hunks were al
searched. Some of the soldiers haC
been living too high. There was abou
a sack full Of condensed milk, peache