Wauapla Sunday July 8th

Laid round all the morning. In the P.M. Patsy Weston and I got a native boat and went for a sail. Calhoun and Gord got a bigger one and set out to train us. We were about two miles from shore and about a hundred yards apart when their rudder broke. While they were trying to fix it they capsized and we had the laugh on them. We sailed up to them and took off Ridrigo and went ashore for help. Another boat went out and got them off and finally got their boat ashore. Got mail from home, one letter from ____ and one from Ma saying that Pa is no better and that Dr. Carroll says he may live until August. I hadn't realized that he was so sick and can't believe that I shall never see him again. I wish I could be home. It must be a sad time for them all. I wish I could help in some way, but even now it may be too late. In the same mail Gord got a letter saying that his brother is sick in the hospital and is not expected to live. Wrote home.

Victorias Friday July 6th

Hot and no rain all day. Ran out two rivers just outside of town and took about a mile of topog. Gord and I had a hard time getting across a river. Floated our truck across in the umbrella. No rain for three days. Had a call from the native teacher here in the evening.

Wauapla Saturday July 7th

Working near Victorias all day. Had a fine swim in morning. Transit party about three miles ahead of us. Walked into Wauapla at night. Are staying with Ferris and have a fine new house built right out over the water so it is good and cool and no mosquitos. Much better town than Victorias. No rain to-day.

Victoria Thursday, July 5th

Had an easy time to-day. Went back and ran out part of the Walago River. We all had dinner at our old hacienda, laid round a couple of hours and came back to camp. Mr. Faruban has gone ahead looking up a line. We move to Wauapla Sat. Wrote to Ralph Wilder. No rain all day and I came in with dry feet for the first time.

Wednesday, July 4th Victorias

The first Fourth I was ever away from home. Wonder how they are spending the day back in God's country. Suppose they are having green peas, lemonade and ice cream and all sorts of good things. We are going to have turkey as a change from chicken. Am getting ashamed to look a chicken in the face and expect I am sprouting pin feathers. We haven't had a day without eating chicken at least twice since we landed on Negros. Crowd taking it easy to-day after yesterdays strenuous work. This idea of not working hard in the tropics is getting to be an idle dream so far as our party is concerned. Wrote to Jr. in P.M.

Tuesday 3rd

Got up early and had just a cup of coffee for breakfast and worked clear up until about four o'clock then walked back about five miles to Victorias which we struck about six o'clock. Had a stretch of line to finish and if the stakes hadn't given out we would have been working yet. Whole party all in where we got in at night. Rained in morning. Holiday to-morrow, no work.

Monday July 2nd

Got up early and the crowd of us rode the pack ponies bareback to Silay. Got in there about noon and worked in the afternoon in a pouring rain running a D-line. Came in at night soaking wet and had no changes of clothes and no bed. Turned in on blanket spread on the floor and slept the sleep of the just. Lame as blazes from riding horseback.