poor, fainting men, if they could get there, and
where also the Sisters would care for them.

They brought man after man, stretcher after stretcher, to the waiting
ambulances, and they took out seventeen who had died in the night,
unattended, save by the nurse.

More supplies arrived, and this time came large tarpaulins, more
utensils, more food, and more things to make it a little comfortable. We
removed our first kitchens across the road, up alongside the headquarter
tent of Major Wood, in charge of the camp. Words can not do justice to
his kind-hearted generosity. He strove in every way to do all that could
be done, and the night before had given us a small tent in which we had
huddled from the pouring rain, for a couple of hours, in the middle of
the night, the water rushing through like a rivulet.

The tarpaulins were put over supplies, a new fireplace made near
us--magnificent in its dimensions--shelter given for boxes and barrels
that by this time had accumulated about us, and there was even something
that looked like a table, on which Mrs. Gardner prepared her delicacies.

Early in the day there came to our improvised headquarters an officer in
khaki uniform showing hard service, and a bandanna handkerchief hanging
from his hat, to protect the back of his head and neck from the fierce
rays of the sun.

It was Colonel Roosevelt, and we were very glad to meet the gallant
leader of the "Rough Riders." After a few moments conversation he said:

"I have some sick men with the regiment who refuse to leave it. They
need such delicacies as you have here, which I am ready to pay for out
of my own pocket. Can I buy them from the Red Cross?"

"Not for a million dollars," Dr. Gardner replied.

"But my men need these things," he said, his tone and face expressing
anxiety. "I think a great deal of my men. I am proud of them."

"And we know they are proud of you, Colonel. But we can't sell Red Cross
supplies," answered Dr. Gardner.

"Then, how can I get them? I must have proper food for my sick men," he
said.

"Just ask for them, Colonel," replied Dr. Gardner.

"Oh," he said, his face suddenly lighting up with a bright smile; "then
I do ask for them."

"All right, Colonel; what is your list?"

The list included malted milk, condensed milk, oatmeal, cornmeal, canned
fruits, dried fruits, rice, tea, chocolate, and even prepared beefsteak
and vegetables, and other things good for men who could not eat army
ratio