February 22: Washington’s Birthday. Good sleep in the raw - up at 8 - it snowed last night - cold out. Good breakfast - they took pictures - one of the General and myself. They gave me another Jap sword - off at 10:30. Made good time - very cold and the ground is snow covered. Arrived 4 PM. 50 Li (3- Li to one mile) - one small mountain - fine trip. Washed - ate peanuts - took two pictures of mountains. Ate cheese, eggs, bread, honey and hot water. The bread is really the staff of life now. To bed at 7:30 - straw under mat.

February 23: Up at 7:30 and ate at nine. Had cheese, eggs, honey, bread and hot water. Started at 10:30 - very slow travel - many stops - five small mountains. One village put on a show for us - I took pictures. Trail hard - much snow - cold at times. On trail I ate egg, three slices of bread, pears, peanuts and am still hungry. Six of us in bed - too small. Ate same menu and then to bed at 8:30. Interpreter gave us hopes again about Fouping but says we have eight days more of travel.

February 24: Up at 7:30 - took pictures of snow valley - changed film - three rolls used so far. Same menu for breakfast. Walked ten Li and then picked up donkeys. Crossed river between Jap forts three miles apart - dangerous - only 50 soldiers. Signal tree on mountain said no Japs had come out. Crossed very high mountain. Much snow - very cold. New Interpreter is Chia Ming. He is a good boy. Arrived 6 PM. Not so hot and we all ate seven eggs each and then to bed.

A view of Snow Valley

February 25: Up at 8:15 - no eggs (ate them all last night) - very little honey. Walked one hour because my donkey went lame. Two persimmons and three boiled eggs. Route level but rocky. Stopped second time for tea. Third time stopped at market where there was a big show going on and all kinds of things to buy. Had camouflaged manhole covers, taffy, tea and pears. Arrived at 6 PM after a long drawn out day. Took pictures of rocks. Big feast after four days of nothing but eggs, cheese, bread and some honey. Met three generals and then to bed early at 7:30.

February 26: Up at 8 - fair sleep - woke up sick during the night - must be the food. Got new socks - washed old ones and hanks. Boys got haircuts and I took seven pictures. Fine breakfast. Think we can make Fouping in four days. Boys are really sweating out that air strip. One time it sounds good and the next time bad. I can’t picture us walking beyond Fouping. This is our twenty fifth day on the road and it is starting to get us. We hear that Morrison and Double left yesterday. Good supper. Went to festival - had Chia Ming play the harmonica. To bed - still have lice.

February 27: Heavy breakfast - General took my picture and one of the group. Off at 11 - mules instead of donkeys. Rode eight hours - arrived 7 PM. Good meal but seven on bunk so too crowded for good sleep. Country is more hills than mountains now. Lost chain on my sword.

Our interpreter Chia Ming drank toast all around. General gave long speech on Communists and Eighth Route Army. One other English speaker here and he says there is an air strip ten days beyond Fouping. Dolan (American) phoned from Fouping - says not to pin high hopes on flying out. Our spirits are at rock bottom now. Bed at 9. Chia Ming now uses slang - says “Hit the sack”.