Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-03-02
A REBELS HEAD.

"A kEBELS HEAD.
This is not really my own story-it
is my grandfather's. Still. since 1t is
all in the family, / may as we'll tell
It; and. besides, 1t has special interest
now, when 80 many people in this land
are looking and longing across the Pa.
ciflc to where our flag floats over Man.
liza bay.
In the year 1S42 my grandfather, q
young man of co. shipped as common
. sailor on the three-masted ship Polly
Ann Of New Bedford, bound from New
York to the Philippines with a cargo
Of -four. The voyage was uneventful
and 1876 days after passing Sandy Hook
the Polly Ann dropped anchor in Pasig
river, Manila.
During the ships stay there grand.
father, who was of an investigating
disposition, looked over the city pretty
well, and believing there were chances
for a wide-awake Yankee to make d
fortune in the islands, he quilted the
ship and took service with a trad.
ing firm on the harbor front. In 10
years he was manager Of business of
his own, and man of influence among
the foreign traders. The Spaniards.
too, looked up to him and respected
him.
As his business grew he was unable
to manage all the details Of the In.
creasing trade, and 80 called to his
help young Filipino named Juan Ag.
uado, a bright young man, half Span
ish, half Malay, who had formerly
been an assistant in the packing house
Aguado possessed polished, cOurtly
manners, and good education; he had
received his schooling at monastery
and grandfather trusted him implicitly,
for in the course Of time he made him
chief clerk and adviser.
Aguado was absolutely fearless-that
was where his Malay blood showed
out, grandfather would remark; when
he himself had occasion to refer to the
story. They were out hunting one day
in a Jungle, some 10 or 15 miles away
from the city, when they were charged
by a maddened buffalo that dashed out
of a water hole upon them. They both
ran for cover, but grandfather, by
some mis-step, tripped on vine and
fell, and before he could regain his
feet the animal was upon him. 1t
was no time to use gun-they were
armed with nothing but light fowling
pieces for pigeon shooting. When
grandfather fell, Aguado, who was q
little behind him, made leap to one
side to pass him; but he was not think.
ing of saving himself. Quickly draw
ing his kris, which was another mark
Of the Malay in him, he rushed back up
on the buffalo and stabbed 1t through
the neck again and again with the dex
terity Of a veteran matadOr. The buf.
falo fell dead in its tracks and grand
father crawled away with a broken
arm.
From that time on the two men were
like brothers. Juan seemed glad that
he had had an opportunity to show
his regard for his employer and bene'
factor, and grandfather was too much
of a man to be anything but generous
to one who had saved his life.
But it was about the end Of theii
comradship. One day native from
up country called at the warehouse
for Aguado. They retired to distant
part of the building and talked long
and quietly together. Then the strang.
er went away and the clerk returned to
his desk.
That night, when it came time for
closing, Aguado said: "SenOr, must
leave you'll am wanted at home, and
IL will be useless to try to detain me-
Grandfather was surprised beyond
belief, almost; but he did not try to
disuade him. He paid his arrears of
salary, added a handsome bonus, and
said good-by to the only man in the
east of whom he was truly fond.
Two years passed and not a word
came from Aguado; but that was not
very strange, for the province where
he lived had been in open revolt fol
some time, and as the fighting on both
sides was constant and relentless, com.
munication with Manila was practical.
ly cut of.
However, as time went on the rebel.
lion was crushed, and the insurgents
were scattered or captured. The lead.
er of the revolution, one Luiz Berceo,
was a man of considerable generalship
and resources, for without munitions
or money he had held his ground
against the Spaniards for long time,
and had intrigued successfully among
the native troops sent to oppose him.
But he could not hold forever, and he
too, was fugitive.
Then 1t 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 Luis Berceo's head. Placards
were posted in Manila and throughout
the islands wherever Spanish author.
ity was recognized, proclaiming re-
ward Of 10000 Mexican dollars to the
one who would bring the head Of the
insurgent leader to the authorities.
NV grandfather had frequently seen
these announcements, and wondered
what sort Of a man 1t 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 q
complacent. mood, for certain docu.
ments before him related to the dis
position of the surrendered insurgent
bands who had been harrassing his
chosen province for the last two years
Suddenly, without any warning, the
door opened behind him and a man
stepped quickly into the room, at the
same time slipping the bolt again into
it's place. He was dressed like priest
in a long black gown and had q hood
over his head,