The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-28


the "Sinaloan" Mountains. of Luzon
Island, that first came to the full
sense of what a nice thing it was to
have a mother. father, brothers and
sisters, and good home.
Though many miles from home and
thesc comforts, amongst strangers,
strange people, strange language and
our enemies, saw in dream, vivid
picture of mother and home. and could
sec her rs she moved about the home
and hear her as she used TO say:
Arthur. how do YOU feel?'
was asleep on the ground. about
5000 feet upon the side of one OF the
most lofty peaks in the Sinaloan Noun
tains, exposed to the chilly rains which
constantly fell during the months OF
September, October and November. ac-
quiring the much needed rest after
hard march Of fourteen hours duration,
when this narrative happened.
could see ny father as he would
raise his spectacles above his eyes and
say: Arthur. how did you enjoy your
trip in the ORIENT" And / could hear my
younger brothers. as they would ask the
many curious questions about the Philip
pnee. and could hear my loving sisters.
as they would say: Now, Arthur. YOU
must not go 20 that country again and
leave US for so long time And
could see mother trying to make me
happy while should be at home with
them, and hear her say: Arthur. what
VIII you like for your supper? How glad
We arc that you have como back to re-
main with US again.
While ] was enjoying the dream and
home no ri
get ready which awakened me from my
slulubers. to realize that I was only
dreaming. and TO find that the rain was
pouring down in torrents and the night
as dark as q stack of black cats. was
up and had my blanket rolled
III. ny haver sack and canteen
alIng on my back, ready for the
rrduous task of covering the. crest of that
lofty mountain within a very few min
rtos. The busler sounded bis bugle to
forward march and the column of sol
diers consisting of eight companies of
infantry and eighty Macabebe scouts)
were on the march. undor the most try
ing difficulties, as there we're no foot
paths or roads to- travel on, anu so dark
that you could net see yonr hand before
your face. with huge ascent before us.
lofty peak. On and on we marched, NOT
knowing why We were interrupted in
ou- sleep at this late hour of the night,
until at length ! heard voice Just in
front of me say:
II am going 20 fall out and stay here
tonight
( 'Oh, no. you are not" exclaimed
another voice. which recognized as that
CT one of our lieutenants.
"ob. | can not go any further leu
tenant" was the response from one OF
my comrades. who was completely ex-
hausted
You must go on CIR you shall be left
here TO die" was the officers reply.
l had began TO feel as though I could
go very little further mysclf without
rest. when there came the command
halt
what's tic natter some one asked
oh. nothing only few minutes rest"
was tho reply ] COVE 10 his question.
Within five minutes our lieutenant
came back and asked for four good men
TO go forward and help bear the litter
with one OF our men who had given out
on it,
/ was thinking whether or not
should volunteer my services. when his
voice rang out and called re to give a
hand--of course, | had to respond to
the order of an officer. as it is very
serious offence 10 violate an officers
order: SO | went forward to help carry
The exhausted soldier and found one of
my special friends. tvho's name | will
call Bill almost at the point of death:
as | thought He had all the appear
ances of dead man. and | was sore
ly distressed to sec MIN in this con-
dition; as | had never seen any man
In his fix 1t was getting late in the
night and was almost played out my
self when remembered that there
was some hard tack" left in my havcr-
sack. which ale at the first chance, thus
enabling me 10 withstand the terrible
strain which ] was undergoing. After
another hours struggle up the rugged
craes OF the mountain. we arrived at the
summit of the peak, whore the command
rest was given. Weary. wet and
hungry. we BEGAN 10 cast about 10 find
smooth and level place 10 lie down
TOT the hour Of rest Aeain 7 dropped
OH to sleep. but was too fatigued to
cream aoont anything; so l do not know
anything which occurred during tho
remainder OF the nigh,
Next morning when / awoke I ,opnd
that my oomrade "Bill' was much i'm.
proved in strength and was able 70
resume the journey down the mountain
This was the third morning which ~.
had been on the march. and our ration
vas so scarce that we had to be sattg-
hed with one-third OF the full ration !.
80 you may know that we were vorv
hungry ere now. At halfApast eisht
the column was in line again. ready IN
resume the days march.
Forward march was the Significance
Of the bugle. as 1t rang opt on the morn.
ing air. On and on we struggled
not stepping even for the midday
luncheon (as we had nonel until the
day vas near spent, when another one
Of cur comrades gave out and had to
be carried on the litter, which came
in So nicely on yesterday. This was
very hard task. Is he must have weigh
ed very near two hundred pounds
At half past seven, .. M. the com
mand Was given to prepare for camp.
The camp consisted of earth to sleep