CHAPTER II. 



We were awakened by the shrill whistle of the loco- 

 motive, summoning the men to their labors. All was bustle 

 and confusion. The men were gathered about the water- 

 tank, performing their morning toilet. Breakfast was soon 

 announced, and the men rushed pell mell to their seats at a 

 long table. They fell to eating with a will, and for some 

 time nothing was heard but the steady click, click of the 

 knives against the plates. Soon they had emptied their 

 plates and eaten everything within reach, and were calling 

 for more. One tall negro at the foot of the table rose, and 

 pulling from its sheath a knife, or machete, flourished it in 

 the air, shouting at the same time, ''Heah, waiter, bring 

 some moah meat heah, or I'll scalp yer!" At this there was 

 a general laugh among the men. 



The colonel's men were of a rather mixed character as 

 regarded nationality. There were English, Scotch, Irish, 

 Germans, Americans, Spaniards, Negroes and Yucatecans; in 

 fact. Col. Glenn boasted of having about every nation repre- 

 sented in his camp. They were dressed in all manner of 

 costumes, from old, half-worn-out black suits to overalls 

 and jumpers. 



After breakfast I took my gun, and made an excursion 

 into the woods near the camp. The morning was beauti- 

 ful, the air crisp, and birds plentiful, and I had not been 

 absent from camp but a short time before I had my pockets 

 filled with small birds. One of the first objects which 

 greeted me was a beautiful bird I had not hitherto met 

 with, namely, the Yucatan Cardinal Grosbeak, flocks of 

 which I saw sporting about the low bashes. It was a small 

 bird with bright red plumage. It was a glorious morning. 



