Sept. 17, 1901

Cheer up –the worst is yet to come– though how anything could be worse I can’t imagine. We got to Iloilo about eight o’clock and some of the first Negro delegation met us with the news that we were to start for Bacolod at one o’clock. Peggy and I were introduced to a dub who volunteered to take up us to Major Glenn. We got a quilez and after much trouble succeeded in getting the [portion excised] what was talking about, We had a very decent lunch at the American Hotel and went down to our private [illegible]. It was what is called in this countrt a lancha lorcha, a flat bottomed sailing vessel with an enormous hold for our baggage. The sail was spread over us for an swing awning and we sat out in the boiling sun waiting to start, We continued to wait until about four o’clock when a man was sent to hunt up the captain. About five o’clock the captain wandered down, and in spite of our protests against getting to Bacolod after dark, the sails were raised and the old tub swung around. The bay was beautiful and we started off for a delightful sail. For about two hundred yards all went well then we bumped into a mud bank on the other side. Down came the sails, and all hands tried to push off with bamboo poles. That failing they rowed an anchor our to the middle of the river and tried to pull off. We were hopelessly stuck and at last we were all taken to shore in a dugout. First I climbed up and made a jump for the bottom of the boat, then Peggy and then a Mrs. Norris, who said “Oh I can’t” and floundered helplessly into the arms of the man below. Arrived on shore Peggy and I made for the American Hotel and secured a room with two beds. The rest of the crowd arrived later and were put up in all sorts of places. Miss Hull came with us and we succeeded in laughing some of our tiredness off. This morning is rainy. Several tons of rain fell in the night and it still continues for we are preparing to start in spite of all.