Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-08-19


had arrived, with the prospect Of sew
eral holidays in succession, the Anglo.
American residents Of Manila had de-
serted the city. They went out TO
live in the surrounding country, partly
for pleasure and partly because no We
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 or at
the club.
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 1, with half dozen
others, had chartered a big steam
launch, loaded her with camping
outfit and native servants aud 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
dered the launch to return onsthe fol-
lowing Monday and began to Shift for
ourselves in acountry as wild as it was
when Magellan aud Bilboa cruised
among the islands. 1t swarmed with
ht'e 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 a few propped-up
boughs and the next, perhaps, among
the limestone rocks aud caves of the
shore. Their language consists Of
few bird-like chirps and whis les.
Their weapons are bows and arrows
and queer swords or knives, which
they eau WELD with terrible effect
They are cowardly aud treacierous
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 bristling with arrows, shot
from behind every tree aud rock
around him. ''rhis, said the grave
old half-breed hunlsman, who had
given ms these particulars, "would be
excessively disagreeable for your
graces" 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-
diyidual expeditions along the shore
or into the forest in quest of jungle
fowl or other small game.
Now species of huge lizard-the
iguana = inhabits the rocks of the
islands, and 1 was very anxious to Sc
cure a specimen. So one afternoon [
started off with rifle to stroll along
the shore toward mass Of Jagged
rocks where the beach ended. There
great bluff rose gradually from the
woods, terminating in mighty spur
high in the air and far ont at sea-
soon discovered that l was accom-
panied by Pete, small fox-terrier, who
belonged to one of the men and had
been brought with us for some I'M
known reason, for SO far he had been
nothing better than general nuisance
However, as Pete and | were good
friends, he trotted along beside me
until we arrived at the rocks.
l had little hope Of finding an iguana
there and was wondering whether it
was worth while to go any farther
when Pete gave yelp and dashed
forward. In moment more ] saw a
big iguana flashing iu and out among
the rocks like lightning, with Pete
scrambling and dipping in pursuit.
As it was hopeless to try a shot while
the lizard was lodging about / ran
after Pete, shouting to him.
But Pete, a perverse brute at all times,
having now an exciting and unique adj
venture in prospect, scrambled obsti-
nately on, until he aud 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, I 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 toiIing after the
same. f
l fired 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 aud
then obligingly waited for me TO come
up, while the iguana vanished aioft.
l felt angry enough to have wruug the
dogs neck, but restrained myself and
after administering a cuff or two toll
him emphatically to go home.
He only went back few steps, then
sat down defiantly and cooked one ear
at me in a derisive aud exasperating
manner. When / went on again he
came gaily trotting after, ready to
dash past me should more iguaias
heave in sight. Then threw stick
at him, which he promptly chased,
captured and brought back to me.
Finally l made leash of my neck
tie and handkerchief and thus re-
strained his ardor while | climbed up
the rough and steep path | was de-
termined to get the ignana il 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 maitland
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
ais time and was not in sight, so /
sat down on the summit to cooLalr
aud relieved INV f~-i----