The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03
FOUND IN The PHILIPPINES.
1T BRIo.-GEN. cHARLEs KING.
cepvrtoAt. 1899. b. y. Tsnny,on Nssiy,
CHAPTER I.

eagerly, Watching and waiting. For a weel
rumor had been rife that orders for NOV,
were coming and the brRades hailed II with
delight. For month. shivering at night In the
dripping. drenching foRs drifting In from the
Pacific. or drilling for hours each day on the
bleak slopes OF tho Presidio Heights. they had
been praying for something to break tho mon.
otony OF tho routine They were envious oil
the comrades who had been shipped to Ma
nila emulous OF those who had stormed San
tiago and would have welcomed with unrea-
soning enthusiasm any mandate that bore
promise OF change OF scenc-or duty. The after
noon was raw and chilly: the wet wind blew
salt and strong from the westward sea. and the
mist rolled in. thick and 6eecy. hiding from
view the familiar landmarks OF the neighbor
hood and forcing display OF lamplights In
the row OF gaudy saloons across the street that
bounded the camp ground toward the setting
sun. though that invisible luminary was still
an hour high and afternoon drill only Just over.
Company after company in their cam paign
hats and flannel shirts. in worn blue trousers
and brown canvas leggings. the men had com g
swinging in from the broad driveways OF the
beautiful park to the south and. as they passed
tho tents OF the Commanding General, even
though they kept their heads erect and noses to
the front. their wary eyes glanced quickly at
the unusual array OF saddled horses. OF car
risGes and Concord wagons halted along the
curbstone. and noted the number OF officers
grouped about the gate. Ponchos and overcoat
capes were much in evidence on every side as
the men broke ranks. scattered to their tents to
stow away their dripping arms and belts. and
then came streaming out to stare, unrebuked,
AT headquarters. 1t was still early IN the war
days. and. among the volunteers and. indeed.
among regiments OF the regulars whose ranks
were sprinkled with college men who had
rubbed shoulders but few months earlier
with certain subalterns. the military line OF
demarcation was dead letter when the boys
were out Of sight and hearing OF their seniors,
and so it happened that when a young officer
came hurrying down the pathway that led
from the tents OF the General to those OF the
field officers Of the Tenth California. he was
hailed by more than one group Of regulars
along whose lines he passed. and. as q rule.
the query took the terse. soldierly form OF
whats up. Biiy?"
Tho lieutenant nodded affably to several OF
his fellows of the football field. but his hand
crept out from underneath the shrouding APE.
palm down. signalling caution. "Orders-some
kind" he answered in tones Just loud enough
to be heard by those nearest him. Seen the
Old man anywhere? The general wants him. "
and. never hating for reply the youngster hur-
ried on.
He was a bright CHEEKY. brave-eyed lad OF
twenty who six months earlier was STUN bin
through the sciences at the great university on
the heights beyond the glorious bay. never
dreaming OF deadler battle than that in which
his pet eleven grappled with the striped team
OF rival college. All OF sudden to the
amaze of the elders OF the great republic. the
tenets and traditions OF the past we re thrown to
the winds and the Hermit Nation" leaped the
seas and flew at the strongholds OF Spanish
Vol,, l.,
dred thousand and reluctant Congress
accorded a meaGre addition to the regular
army. Many q college athlete joined the
ranks. while a limited few. gifted with rela-
tives who had both push and pull" were per-
mitted to pass not very exactng examination
and Join the permanent establishment as sec
ond lieutenants forthwith. Counting those
commissioned in the regular artillery and
infantry. there must have been a dozen in
the thronging camps back Of the great city.
and OF these dozen Billy Gray" Belligerent
Billy" as a tutor dubbed him when the war
and Billy broke out toeether-the latter to the
extent OF four days absence from all colleg.
late duty-was easily the gem OF the lot. One
OF the brightest minds /" In his GLASS he was
one OF the LATEST: one OF the quickest and
most agile when aroused. he was one OF the
torpids as a rule; ono OF the kind who
should have gone in for honors." as the
faculty said. he came nearer going out
for devilment. The only son OF retired
colonel Of the army who had made Califor-
MIA his home. Billy had spent years in camp
and field and saddle and knew tho West as he
could never hope to know Haswell. The only
natural soldier Of his class when. sorely against
the will OF most. they entered the student bat =
talon. he promptly won the highest chevrons
that could be given in the sophomore year. and.
almost as promptly. lost them for "lates " and
absences. When the Varsity was challenged
by neig boring institute to com petitive drill
tho scouts OF the former reported that the
crack company OF the San Pedros had the snap
piest captain they ever saw. and that. with far
better m aterial to choose from. and moro OF 1t.
the Varsity wouldn't stand a ghost of show
in the eyes Of the professional judges unless
Billy would 81 brace up" and take hold" Billy
was willing Barkis. but the faculty said it
would put premium on laxty to make Billy a
Varsity captain even though the present in
cumbents were ready. any of them. TO resign in
his favor. "Prex said mo" in no uncertain
terms; the challenge was declined. whereat the
institute crowed Justify and the thing got into
the rival papers. As a result a selsct company
OF student volunteers was formed its mem be 70
agreed to drill an hour daily In addition to the
prescribed work. provided Billy would take
hold" In earnest and this was the company
that. under his command. swept the boards six
weeks later and left San Pedro's contingent an
amazed and disguised crowd. Then Billy went
to metaphorical pieces again until the war
clouds oversproad the land; then like his
fathers son he girded up his loins. went In for
q commission and won. And here he was a
sub in Uncle Sans stalwart infantry with
three classmates serving under him in tho
ranks and half dozen more. either as junior
officers or enlisted men. in the camps OF the
hnS, hoo nlk