The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-04-21
AWAY FOR HOME
]. s. Volunteer Engineers Get a
RouSing Send.of.
A FULL CARGO OF LElS
The Boys Happy Over Their De-
parture-ExpreSse Aloha for
Honolulu-The Crowd.

/ Laden with fairest blossoms, mid
fllbtering handkerchiefs and blowing
whistles the Engineers on board the
Australia steamed out of the harbor.
The Oceanic wharf was the scene OF
enthusiasm such as has not been wit
messed for some time There was no
space but what was crowded, no want
age point that was not taken. On
board the steamer all was crush, but
it was all friendly and good natured.
Promptly at 1890 the ranks were
formed ready for marching Through
out the whole morning a dozen of the
Quartermaster wagons had been busy
hauling trunks and equipment to the
steamer. AS the march started from
Camp Mckinley the Engineers gave IA
ringing cheer of farewell to their
eight-months' home and ITO the men
who have relieved them. This was
answered with hearty good will by the
Artillery.
At the turn of the Waikiki road the
battalion was met by the Government
band, which Immediately took the head
of the column. AS the Engineers
neared the city the crowd drew denser.
People in carriages, on bicycles and on
foot joined the array
As it swept around King street and
started down Fort, what had begun as
a simple marching column had become
transformed into a gala procession.
With colors flying and stirring marches
playing, the shouts of greeting mingled
with farewell, the battalion passed
down Fort to the wharf.
The street was crowded The win
dows of the office buildings were filled
with people. Every corner was packed
with humanity and traffic was at
standstill.
Upon arriving at the wharf the men
Immediately marched on board and
slowed away the arms and whatever
baggage they had with them. The
people commenced to crowd long be-
fore the hour set for the steamer TO
leave. BY o'clock there was very lit
Tie room IGlC 10 IIONe Inc
band discoursed sweet and stirring
music until half past three, when as a
grand finale they played the Star
Spangled Banner, which was cheered
to the echo by the soldiers.
The vendors of leis went out of bus
iness early. Their stock was ex-
hausted. The appearance of the strug-
CLING mass of humanity ON board was
that of a huge animated flower dis
play. Not soldier had been forgotten
and some were simply covered with the
beautiful fragrant wreaths.
In addition to the Engineers the
Australia had an especially large list
of passengers. These also were the re-
cipients of leis and farewells.
1t seemed as if the whole city had
friends going away and were deter
mined to get on board And it ap
peared that the greater portion had
succeeded in their efforts, from the
numbers of people that went up the
gangplank.
At about a quarter after four the
warming gong sounded. The last fare
wells were spoken and the crowd slow
ly, inch by inch, left the steamer.
AS soon as the thrill of life' pulsed
the Australia's keel a great
shout Went up from the soldiers. 1nlS
was answered by those on the wharf, |
which Immediately became sea OF
futtering handkerchiefs and waving |
leis. The steamer was perfectly COW
cred with her human freight. Every |
possible point from which a good view |
might be obtained was eagerly seized |
upon.
The steamer swung round and point
ed her bow to the mouth of the har-
bor Past the wharf she swept, and
across the water there came from
ouslor. stationed in the rigging, the
sweet strains of aloha Oe." There
was a last rousing cheer as two SOL
1iers. one on each side Of the bugier
lEfurled two flags. One was the Ha-
vaiiaD. The other WAS the Sta~s and
Stripes.