The National tribune., 1898-06-02
CHAPTER l.

A Serbs OF UNTowARD CIRCUM-
STANCES WHICH LED TO THE
AUTHORS SETTLEMENT IN THE IS
LANDS.
Ny father was born at Nantes, and held
the rank Of Captain in the regiment of
Auvergne. The revolution caused him
the loss of his commission and his fortune
and left him, as sole remaining resource,
a little property called La blanche, be-
longing to my mother, and situated about
two leagues from Nantes, in the Parish of
Vertoux.
There he lived for some years with his
family, with scarcely the means of exist
ence, suffering the grief and the many
annoyances caused by the sudden change
from opulence to want, and by the inn
possibility of supplying all the requirements
Of his numerous family. A short illness
terminated his distressed existence, and
his mortal remains were deposited in the
cemetery of Vertoux. My mother, pat
tern of courage and devotednesS re-
manned widow, with six children-two
girls and four boys; she continued to
reside in the country, imparting TO US the
first elements of instruction.
The free life of the fields, and the
athletic exercises TO which my elder
brothers and / accustomed ourselves,
tended TO make me hardy, and rendered
me capable of enduring every kind OF
fatigue and privation. This country LIE,
with its liberty, and / may well say us
happiness, passed too quickly away; and
the period soon came when my education
compelled me TO pursue my daily studies
in q school at Nantes. ! had four leagues
to walk. but trudged the distance light
heartedly, and at night, when returned
home, ever found awaiting me the KIND
solicitude of our dear mother, and the
attentive cares of two sisters whom
tenderly loved.
II was decided that ! should enter the
medical profession. / studied several
years at the Hotel Dieu of Nantes, and
passed my examination for Naval Sur
eeon at an age when many young man
Is shut up within the four walls oil
college, still prosecuting his studies.
II would be difficult 10 form any idea OF
my Joy when / saw myself IN possession
OF my Surgeons diploma. ThenceforwaTo
/ regarded myself as an important oeing,
about to take my place among reasonable
and industrious men; and what perhaps
rendered me still more joyous wo', that
could earn my own livelihood, and con.
tribute to the comfort Of my zSother and
my sisters.
was also seized with a strong desire to
travel abroad, and make myself ac-
Quainted with foreign countries.
Twenty-four hours after my nomination
es Surgeon went and offered my services
to a ship-owner who was about heightIng
q vessel TO the East Indies. We were not
long in arranging terms, and, at 40 francs
per month, engaged myself for the voy-
age.
Within II months afterwards / returned
home. Who can depict the sweet emo
tions which, as young man, ] felt on
again beholding my native land!
stayed month on shore, surrounded by |
No. 70 AZ nf my N
end sisters. Despite their assiduities l
was seized with ennui. j made second
and q third voyage; then, after having |
rounded the Cape Of Good Hope half
dozen times, ] undertook one which sepa-
rated me from my country during 20 years.
On the 9th Of October, 1919, i embarked
on board the Cultvateur, an old half
rotten three -masted vessel, commanded
By an equally old Captain, who, long
ashore, had given up navigating for many
years. An old Captain with an old shipl
Such were the conditions in which /
undertook this voyage. i ought, however,
% add, that obtained an increase of pay.
We touched at Bourbon; we ran along
the entire coast of Sumatra, part OF
Java, the isles of Sonde, and that of
Banca; and at last, towards the end of
May, eight months after our departure
from Nantes, we arrived in the magnif-
cent Bay OF Manila.
The Cultivateur anchored near the little
tOHu Vi tdNilcs u ODldlfleU leave 10 re-
eide on shore, and took lodgings in Cavite,
which is situated about FIVE or six leagues
from Manila.
To make up for my long inactivity on
board ship. ! eagerly, engaged in my
favorite exercises, exploring the country
In all directions with my gun upon my
shoulder. Taking for guide the first
native whom i met, ] made long excur-
sions, less occupied in shooting than In
admiring the magnificent scenery. /
knew a little Spanish, and soon acquired
few Tagaloc words. Whether il was for
s1citements sake, or from vague desire
81 Drawing danger, know not, but was
particularly fond OF wandering in remote
places, said TO be frequsnted by robbers.
With these / occasionally fell in, but the
sight OF my gun kept them in check.
may say, with truth, that at that period of
my life / had SO little sense of danger,
that was always ready to put myself
forward when there was an enemy to fight
or peril to be encountered.
On the anniversary of nay departure
Hon France riot commenced at Manila
and at Cavite.
After various encounters in the streets.
] was rescued by the intervention Of q