Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/101

Rh The next day was equally disheartening, and so was the next and the next. Even the officers began to wonder when the suffering was to end.

"Hurrah! There's a supply wagon!" This shout went up when the command reached Big Sewell Mountain. The report was correct, and soon a wagon train came into view, loaded with provisions. What a cheer went up! Breaking ranks, the soldiers rushed for the wagons, and soon everybody was feasting to his heart's content. To be sure the provisions were only army rations, but never had anything tasted sweeter, and sitting in convenient spots the men ate and ate, as if they would never be satisfied. In nine days they had marched a hundred and eighty miles without a single square meal.

The first week in July was spent by the regiment at Charleston, refitting the worn-out soldiers with necessary equipments. The privations of the past two weeks had caused many men to fall sick, and some of these had to be sent to the hospital or invalided home. Among the number were several friends of Lieutenant McKinley, and