Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-10-05

MY ESCAPE.
AN ADVENTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

had arrived, with the prospect of sew
eral holidays in succession, the Anglo
American residents of Manila had de-
serted the city. They went ont to
live in the surrounding country, partly
for pleasure and partly because no ve-
hicle would be allowed in the streets
during two days of the week, so that
anyone remaining in town would be
virtually prisoner in his house OF at
the club. ssa-a
Some of the migrants had gone up
the Pasig river to the lake at its
source aud some to explore the Won
derful caves in the great southern vol
canic range; but I, with half dozen
others, had chartered big steam
launch, loaded her with camping
outfit ami native servants and steamed
across the bay and up the coast. We
were going to the wild north country
of Luzon in search of deer and wild
pig.
We landed with our paraphernalia
on the beach at our destination; or
dsred the launch to return on the fol-
lowing Monday and began to shift for
ourselves in country as wild us it was
when Magellan and Bilboa cruised
among the islands. It swarmed with
little Negritos, or aboriginal natives
whom the Spanish conquerors have
vainly tried for three centuries to sub
due and civilize.
These Negritos wander about the
vast forests In small bands, sleeping
one night under q few propped-up
houghs and the next, perhaps, among
the limestone rocks and caves of the
shore Their language consists OF a
few bird-liie chirps and whistles.
Their weapons are bows and arrows
and queer swords or knives, which
J they can WELD with terrible effect.
They are cowardly and treacherous
to the last degree. We had been ,es-
pecially, warned against wandering
singly in the jungle. for solitary.
hunter would be apt to find himself
suddenly hristling with arrows, shot
: from behind every tree and rock
around him. 'sThis," said the grave
old-half breed hantsman, who had
given us these particulars, would be
excessively disagreeable for your
graces"-and our graces agreed with
the opinion.
We accordingly took exceeding
good care to keep together during the
first two or three days, but as no
signs of blacks appeared we became
less careful and occasionally made in
dividual expeditions along the shore
or into the forest in quest of Jungle
fowl or other small game.
Now species of huge lizard-the
igunua = inhabits the rocks of Che
islands, and was very anxious to Sc
cure specimen. So one afternoon 1
started off with rife to stroll along
the shore toward mass of jagged
rocks where the beach ended. There
o great bluffrose gradually from the
woods, terminating in mighty spur
high in the oil. and far out at sea.
soon discovered that I was accom-
panied by Pete, a small fox-terrier, who
belonged to one of the men and had
been brought with us for some un-
known reason, for so far he had been
nothing better than general nuisance.
However, as Pete and I were good
friends, he trotted along beside me
until we arrived at the rocks.
I had little hope of finding an iguana
there and was wondering whether it
was worth while 10 go any farther
when Pete gave yelp and dashed
forward. In moment more I saw
big iguana flashing in and out among
the rocks like lightning, with Pete
.scrambling, and dipping in pursuit.
AS it was hopeless to try shot while
the lizard was lodging about I ran
after Pete, shouting to him.
But Pete, n peryerse brute at all times,
having now an exciting and unique adj
venture in prospect, scrambled obsti-
nately on, until lie and the iguana
both disappeared in the low bushes
and grass that covered the base of the
cliff.
Having fought my way through
these, with wrath in my heart against
the dog. emerged beyond and saw the
great lizard gliding up the side of the
bluff on zigzag path probably made
by the black men. Pete, very bad
second, was pluckily toilipg after the
same.
fred despairing shot and missed,
but the bullet must have clipped"
pretty close to Pete's head. He
stopped-probably glad of an excuse
to do so-looked back inquiringly and
then obligingTy waited for me to come
up, while the iguana vanished aloft.
I felt angry enough to have wrung the
dogs neck, but restrained myself and
after administering cuff or two told
him emphatically to go home.
He only went back few steps, then
sat down defantly and cooked one ear
at mo in a derisive and exasperating
manner. When I went on again he
came gaily trotting after, ready to
dash past me should more iguanas
heave in sight. Then I threw stick
at him, which he promptly chased,
captured and brought back to me.
Finally I made leash of my neck
tie and handkerchief and thus re-
strained his ardor while 1 climbed up
the rough and steep path. I was de-
termined to get the iguana if possible.
We wound our way among big rocks
and clumps of bushes and at last
reached the top, few yards from the
great spur. Here the bluff was some
twelve yards across. AS it sloped
gradually back toward the mainland
. it grew wider and was covered only
with stiff, dry grass, till its base was
! lost in the forest
The iguana had made good use of
his time and was not in sight, SO I
sat down on the summit to cool off
and relieved my feelings by inventing