No time was lost until we were again encamped at the foot of the hill
about 100 yards from the lake shore. We immediately set to work to cook
our much needed supper, which was devoured greedily by every
dust-stained warrior of the command, regardless of the rules of
etiquette, after which we sought a "soft spot" on nature's expansive
bed, in which to lay our weary bones for the night.
But even a soldier's life has, despite its many seemingly insurmountable
obstacles, many a romantic charm, for who would not like to lay gently
upon the lap of earth with the soft side of a haversack for a pillow,
and the green foliage of the graceful bamboo trees for a canopy, and be
lulled to sleep by the wild rustling of the leaves wafted to and fro
before the gentle zephyrs. Everything remained at a peaceable standard
during the night with nothing to break the "chain of silence," save the
rippling of the waters in the lake below.
But even a sleep such as this, under such unusual and unaccommodating
circumstances, has an unwelcomed limit, and ours came with the first
streaks of grey dawn that broke through our foliaged canopied beds, and
again each soldier of American loyalty began to kindle his fire, with
which to cook his breakfast, for on such occasions as this each soldier
is his own cook, waiter, and dishwasher combined.
Soon after breakfast the real work of opening the trail began, rifles
were quickly supplanted by shovels, picks and axes, and in a very few
moments every soldier was equipped with tools, which they began to use
with unanimous energy and willingness during the greater part of the
day. And it was truly wonderful to see those brave soldiers working
untiringly, chopping heavy trees, digging and filling deep ravines,
leveling stout barricades, all working diligently for that one aim which
was to be the downfall of Maciu.
This work was kept up unceasingly until the passage or trail was opened
to the Maciu peninsula, a distance of two miles. It was the afternoon of
the second day, which was the 30th of September, before we finally
reached our destination, where there was an unexpected surprise in store
for us.