The fifteenth of March, three weeks after our builders arrived at Messina, they took possession of the camp. It was a glorious day; they were astir early on the “Celtic” packing their kits. J. watched the men put his drawing-board and portfolio safely on the ox-cart under Hugh’s care, and started to walk to the Mosella. “In the street are a few miserable shops for foodstuffs,” J. writes. “I say street, but it is really only a passageway where the street used to be. On either side are mounds of debris with little groups of diggers, hunting for their relatives, with a soldier leaning on his gun with fixed bayonet beside some coffins. It was nearly midday; one party was using a coffin for a table and others as chairs--truly, familiarity breeds contempt. Not only this, but I saw little toddling babies put to play in them, to keep them out of harm’s way. One thing shows a wicked lack of forethought. Shelters have been built across the tram tracks, that have only been slightly damaged in one or two places. They make the entire route of the villages that have suffered, and ought to be put in operation immediately.” Though he stopped to notice these things, J. reached the camp in time to see the pretty inaugural ceremony. At twelve o’clock the bugler from the “Celtic” sounded “attention.” Officers and men all assembled in line. The two civilians, Mr. Bicknell and J., hurried to the end of the workshop and adjusted their cameras. Belknap then read aloud a letter from the Prefect of Messina, the Commendatore Trinchieri, beginning:-- “MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR:--My Government entrusts me with the honor of according you the right to occupy a camp in the Valley of the Mosella, and to acknowledge the justice of your desires that the National Flag of the United States of America should fly above the place during the daylight.” Etc., etc., etc. Tara, tara, tara! The bugler sounded the salute to the colors. The flag crept up the tall flagstaff and unfolded in the light breeze. “Three cheers, men!” cried Buchanan. They were given with a will. “Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!” There was a little speechmaking after this. J., busy with his kodak, only heard the rousing cheers as the Stars and Stripes, emblem of the world’s hope, floated over the new settlement on the old, old shore of Trinacria. VIII THE CAMP BY TORRENTE ZAERA “ZONA CASE AMERICANE, March 16, 1909. “We left the ‘Celtic’ yesterday and came out here to our camp at the Mosella, where everything is running like clockwork. I have a pleasant room but no view, while the house where the nails are stored has a divine one. There’s no window in Belknap’s room; he chose the worst one of all so that no grumbler should have the right to kick,” writes J. in his first letter after they left the ship and the hospitable Captain Huse, of whose kindness frequent mention is made both in letters and diary.