The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-02-17
SERVING HER COUNTRY.
Continued from Page /.

EnSlSn nODlllty anu our huieIlcah Sonoui
and his daughters concerts and afternoon
teas were in vogue, royal good time had
we, and the people seemed to sincerely
regret our short stay, they were all anxious
to do something for our pleasure.
Our next stop was Port Said. Such
miserably dirty place, much more modern
than one would expect. The Egyptians
are barbarous licentious people, but it is
ALWAYS so where the French have any con-
troll. We were there almost two days and
started through the canal on the evening OF
Nov. o. Our ship was so large there was
some difficulty keeping straight course,
and several times we were quite close to
the banks the rate of speed is necessarily
slow, eight miles an hour, and as the canal
is eighty-five miles in length, we had not
reached the end by morning, so there was
an opportunity of seeing by daylight the
desserts of Arabia on one side and Egypt
on the other. There were also quite num-
Der of camels working in the dessert.
Well, we reached the end at a. III. on
Nov. IS, it having cost our government
S12, 6s5 81 per passenger for our passage.
We stopped at Suez to land the pilot and
then continued our journey. Suez seemed
to be pretty little city: lovely tropical
trees were growing along the shore and
under them were groups OF natives IN
picturesque Moorish costume, consisting OF
long flowing gowns of blue or white, fast.
ened loosely at the waist, and on the head
was worn large turban of material like
the gown.
We then had before us the longest part
of our journey; there were twelve days
sailing between Port Said and Colombo.
In the meantime we amused ourselves with
dancing, concerts and games. The dancing
/ enjoyed with all my soul. Colombo was
a most beautiful port, 50 clean and lovely
in every way. Many of the natives were
clothed in simple clout az out the thighs,
the rest OF their bodies being nude. They
were most graceful, expert divers and
swimmers. Their muscles were simply
magnificent and their teeth like pearls.
In manner they were gentle, obedient and
unobtrusive. Indeed we were all very
favorably impressed. They seem to have
so much physical endurance. | had one of
them take me for a long ride in rickshaw
(?). He was running for nearly two hours
and yet did not seem tired I went
through beautiful park, cinnamon grove,
passing many lovely English bungalows on
the way. | went in the Temple of Buddha;
some of the natives are still worshipers of
this god and some are Mohammedans, but
| believe the maj ority are Catholics. We
were there about a day and a-half and then
headed for Singapore, arriving in about
five days. This was the largest port at
which we had stopped There were many
Japs and Cinnamon, and very few of the
people could speak English. l had gotten
quite tired by this time and did not taks
much interest. The Colonel took Miss
Brock and for long ride in Chinese
rickshaw. Our carriers were China
men. The town was dirty and not very
attractive. | believe there were some fine
botanical gardens; l did not see them,
but contented myself with little shop
ping and lunch at good hotel.
There were only five days OF our journey
left. We reached the scene of Deweys
victory on December 21. We remained on
shipboard until noon of the next day,
when we received orders to report to the
chief nurse Of the LIST Reserve. On the 10Th
we were entertained by some of the men
in the regiment with songs and dances,
wrestling and boxing matches. They were
considered excellent by those who knew.
On the Goth we had farewell dance and
with fifty or sixty nice officers, it was
hard TO part 1t was especially depressing
for me to say goodbye to three Of them,
we had become such firm friends: one in
particular devoted all his spare time to me.
Well | enjoyed every moment of the trip.
The weather was perfect all the way, our
surroundings pleasant and the officers
polite and attentive. Indeed, Miss Brock
and had everything our own way as the
commanding officer, Col. Howe, took US
under his wing, as he was an intimate
friend of cousin OF Miss Brock and also of
Major EicEery, who is a friend OF mine.
So the Colonel felt a special interest in US.
Consequently we We're quite important
personages.
How did wish each day that you and
Evalyn were with me. well, Southy is
here in her glory, having charge of the
operating room. She seems to have i'm
proved, using less slang than in the old
days. see very little of her, as we are in
separate departments and our days are
busy. Southy is entertaining commandments
by the score, and has several ready to fall
at her feet.
The hospital is very well established and
there is lot Of work to do. Our quarters
are fairly comfortable, in each room four
beds; we have Chinese servants. Just now