Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/53

Rh pork stuck on the end of a stick, holding it up in front of the sick men's faces so that they could see it, which sight, of course, made them a great deal worse.

This evening some of our company and Co. D found out the locality of the ship's stores, and were determined on having something else than fat pork and beans, and at night they succeeded in capturing five or six hams, a few tongues, and several bushels of potatoes. So look out for somebody being arrested.

Sunday, January 24, 1847.—This morning we find the wind still unfavorable, and our ship making slow headway. The swells are very heavy, and it keeps the ship rolling over and over, which is very unpleasant for our sick. At noon some of our officers were going around and examining our pork and bean pots to see whether they could find out who had the hams, tongues and potatoes, but our fellows were too sharp, they put a layer of sourkrout over the top of each kettle that had a ham or tongue in, and this is the way our officers were blindfolded, and could not find out who stole the hams, tongues and potatoes.

This evening the weather is getting warmer, which is encouraging the sick.

To-night we fared well on our mysterious hams, tongues and potatoes.

Monday, January 25, 1847.—This morning all of the soldiers, except the sick, jumped on deck, brought up by the cry of land ahead. The captain of the ship took his spy-glass and went aloft, and when he came down reported to the soldiers and officers that it was Brazos, Santiago. This cheered the soldiers, and they all appeared lively and in good spirits again.

This afternoon some of the soldiers caught a dolphin and several other sort of black fishes, which came alongside the ship in shoals.

To-night it is splendid. For supper we had fish, ham and potatoes; who wouldn't be a soldier?