Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-12-30
THE HEAD OF A REBEL.
A TALE OF MANILA.
ny Il. CLYDE FORD.

intrigued successfully against the
native troops sent to oppose him. But
he could not hold out forever, and he,
too, was fugitive.
Then it was that the government re-
sorted to an expedient often tried in
Spanish countries for catching those
who will not surrender-a price was
set on Luiz Berceo's head. Placards
were posted in Manila aud throughout
the islands wherever Spanish author
ity was recognized, proclaimiug a re.
ward cf 10000 Mexican dollars to the
ono who would bring the head of the
insurgent leader to the authorities.
My grandfather had frequently seen
these announcements aud wondered
what sort of man il was who caused
the captain-general so much annoy
ance. Both the captain general and
himself were soon to know.
One afternoon the captain-general
sat alone in his Office. He was in a
complacent mood, for certain docu-
ments before him related to the dispo-
-sition of the surrendered iusurgent
bands who had been harassing his
chosen province for the last two years.
Suddenly, without any warning, the
door opened behind him, and a man
stepped quickly in the room, at the
same tims>sipping. the bolt again into
its plac2 He-~was dressed like a
prieIe long black gown and had a
hog Cvefhis head.
Peace upon you," he said, coldly,
end Don Xavier Macia turned in his
.chpir.
"Who are you and what do you
want?"
''Do not talk too loud" said the
visitor, pushing back the cowl from
his face. "Who am I? See for your
self"
The captain general gave n start Of
terror, aud his face blanched. 1t was
Berceo, the insurgent chief, who stood
before him.
Listen TO me, senior, and I'll tell
you what want. You have offered
$40, 600 for my head. See. 1 have
brought ii myself and claim the
money"
Berceo stepped nearer and drew
from under his cloak long native
knife.
IL can't very we'll carry Mexican
dollars. / will take Spanish bank
notes. Hurry"
General Mscia ground his teeth in
rage, but dared do nothing except
obey. He knew well the character OF
the man he was dealing with. From
desk near by he counted out the
equivalent Of $40, 900 in Bank Of Spain
notes aud handed them to the rebel
leader who began to back toward the
door. Good day, senor," he said po-
litely aud sprang out. A guard at the
end of the hall tried to refrain him, but
Bcrceo cut him down with the knife,
and then throwing of his monks garb
he reached the street aud made good
his escape.
That same night grandfather sat
smoking on his wide veranda which
looked out upon the bay. One or two
acquaintances from the ueighboring
compounds had dropped in for a chat,
but by 10 o'clock he was alone again.
As he sat dreamily gazing out at the
twinkling lights on the ships at an
chor, he heard step on the stairway
behind him; he thought it was his Chi
nese servant Soon, however, fami-
liar voicespoke:
"Senor, excuse the intrusion.
He turned around, and there stood l
his former clerk. Juan Aguado.
why, Juan. what pleasurel But
how you startled me! Come. sit down,
and tell me all about YOURSELF"
Aguado smiled. ''Are we quite
alone, senor?" he asked, glancing
around furtively.
''Yes, entirely so; the servants have
gone to bod.
'Well, then, you want TO know all
about myself. L can tell You in q
word-I am Berceo."
My grandfather was cool man.
Come inside, it's damp here, he said,
and led the way to room back Of the
veranda.
Briefly Aguado told him what had
taken place in the last two years.
The mau that had called upon him
the day he left brought evil news. His
home village had been destroyed, and
his father, petty official up country,
had been imprisoned on some trumped.
nm Oh agra IA, t,rc lx,oth.,. Ia -.