the games went on by the side of the great swelling sea, and the roll
of the surf mingled with the merry tones of the players. Battles were
fought and fields were won on the diamond and Utah carried the trophy
away to America.

* * * * *

While there were some things which excited the curiosity, others which
aroused the attention, and still others which seemed to rivet men's
minds for a short time on certain subjects, yet they all paled into
insignificance before the magic of that one word "Mail!"

On a quiet sultry day, when all nature except the sun seemed to be
taking a rest and when nothing but the bugle call for dinner could prove
that a spark of life remained in the barracks, the announcement that
mail had arrived would transform that peaceful quiet building into an
Eastern bazar, with all of its accessions. At the mention of that word
the stolid sentry, pacing his beat with languid steps, instantly
quickened into life; the motionless somnolent forms lying on the canvas
cots sprang from their recumbent positions, strangely wide awake; the
groups of men engaged in a social game of cards, instantly scattered
for that new field of interest. The First Sergeant's office became a
scene of the greatest activity. An eager, excited crowd gathered around;
cheeks and noses were pressed against the iron grating, while the ear
listened intently for familiar names. Happy was he who received a goodly
supply.

[Illustration: "OLD GUARD FATIGUE" AT THE CUARTEL.]

There were those who turned away crestfallen and disappointed, there
were others who remained behind and hungrily eyed their more fortunate
comrades, as they knew they had no loved ones to write to them. When the
mail had been distributed the barracks again relapsed into silence, but
it was a wide awake silence, not a sultry, oppressive one. Then was
reading of letters which told of love and friendship and hope; then were
familiar scenes brought before the imagination to renew acquaintances
which had begun to grow dim; then were sighs heard for dear home and
mother. Newspapers and magazines were not unpopular. The letters read,
then the papers were devoured. Long articles, short articles,
advertisements and pictures were consumed with equal eagerness, and when
every visible portion had been absorbed they were held up to the light
to see if they contained anything on the inside. Such was mail day in
Manila, and the story proceeds.

In