The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-07
Loaded With Cavalry Horses for
Campaign in China.
WILL PROBABLY SAIL TO-DAY.
Task OF Persuading Four-Footed
Passengers to Go Aboard Big
Transport Proves More Than DIM
cult-DeIays slowing Away OF
Cargo of Forage and Camp Equip
ment-Garonne Awaiting Troops

Before sunset today the big United
States transport PAX Ling viii steam away
for the Orient. Yesterday afternoon ana
last night the horses of the First cavalry,
with the exception of those Of troops M
and X, which remained at Fort Lawton,
were loaded into the deep hold Of the
PAX Ling.
The task of coaxing the animals to
ascend the steep gang plank and then
wind their way down into the dark
depths of the hold, proved more than
difficult, and when at last they reached
their quarters no little trouble and delay
was encountered. for each animal
had to be backed into its stall and
strapped in with canvas 10 insure him
against injury during the voyage.
Very seldom is transport loaded with
In the prescribed time limit. 1t Is said,
and In this respect the PAX Ling proved
no exception. Yesterday morning the Of
ficers were fairly confident that at mid
night they would be out of the Sound.
but the timidity Of the horses caused
serious delay. keeping back the drays,
heavily loaded with camp equipment.
The PAX Ling's upper deck fore and
aft. Is filed with forage, hay and oats.
covered by protecting tarpaulins. but last
night there still remained on the. White
Star dock an enormous amount OF forage
yet to be loaded.
The loading OF horses was under the
supervision OF Chief Veterinary Surgeon
Payne. who is highly commended by his
superior officers for his excellent work
and the splendid condition Of his four
footed charges. There is only one sick
horse in the two squadrons.
Capt. Greene. OF Quartermaster Robin
sons office, is the hard working officer
under whose direction the entire work
OF embarkation is being carried on.
Eight hundred and eighty horses, cared
for by ten men from each troop, under
command Of Aeuts. Hickman and TIL
ford. will be the PAX Ling's living
freight.
Visitors were frowned upon at the
White Star dock. but the gates were
thronged by hundreds of visitors who
were anxious to catch a glimpse OF the
busy scene.
On board the transport Garonne IL a
scene of the utmost confusion. The
transport itself is all in readiness for the
long voyage. The baggage Of the Of
ficers and men Of the First cavalry Is
being placed on board as rapidly as big
drays can bring It from Fort Lawton.
Nothing superfuous will be allowed
either officers! or troopers on this voy-
age, nothing but absolute necessities for
field service In the far East This order
Will dispeli any doubt as to the ultimate
destination OF the First cavalry. In the
Orient, for II the Philippine service was
to fall to its lot. II would be permitted
to carry many articles of luxury denied
soldiers In active service.
At one end Of the Garonne's long saloon
Is raised circular platform. This will
be occupied afternoon and evening by
an orchestra formed from the regiment
band when the deck Ia uncomforfably
warm. for the band OF the First cavalry
Is composed OF finished musicians.
The staterooms are models of comfort,
all opening onto the deck and they are
sufficient In number so that each officer
may have one TO himself. The troopers
quarters on the second deck are conn
modious and comfortable.
The Garonne's deck will be protected
from the direct rays of the scorching
tropical sun by canvas stretched overhead,
where the officers in their steamer and
camp chairs may be comfortable AS a
rule. on board transports. the drinking
water and table fare form one contin-
uous nightmare during the last week or
two of the trip. On board the Garonne,
however. this win not be the case Ice
in plenty. with facilities for manufact-
uring more IL necessity demands, and a
well supplied cold storage room contain
ing fresh meat enough to last throughout
the voyage. viii eliminate all possibility
OF a poor mess table.
The officers of the First express pleas
ure at the Garonne's superior accommo-
dations. and are chatting to start on the
voyage TO China