The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-02-28
A REBELS HEAD.

CHG TO Wnor6 our nag noatS over Manila
bay
In the year l842 my grandfather, a
young man of 90, shipped as common
sailor on the three masted ship Polly
Ann of New Bedford, bound from New
York to the Philippines with cargo of
flour. 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 dis
position, looked the city over pretty
we'll, and, believing there were chances
for wide awake Yankee to make for
tune in the islands, he quit the ship
and took service with trading firm on
the harbor front In ten years he was
manager Of a 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 increas-
ing trade, and SO called to his help a
young Filipino named Juan Aguado,
bright young man, half Spanish, half
Malay, who had formerly been an as
sistant in the packing house. Aguado
possessed polished, courtly manners and
a good education. He had received his
schooling at monastery, and GRANDPA
Their 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 jungle tract some 10 or 15 miles
away from the city, when they were
charged by maddened buffalo that
dashed out of water hole upon them
They both ran for cover, but GRANDPA
ther by some misstep tripped on vine
and fell, and before he could regain his
feet the animal was upon him. 1t was
no time to use a gun-they were armed
with nothing but light fowling pieces
for pigeon shooting. When grandfather
fell, Aguado, who was a little behind
him, made leap to one side to pass
him, but he was not thinking of saving
himself. Quickly drawing his creese,
which was another mark of the Malay in
him, he rushed back upon the buffalo
and stabbed it through the neck again
and again with all the dexterity of a
veteran matador. The buffalo fell dead
in his tracks, and grandfather crawled
away with 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 benefaotor,
and grandfather was too much of man
to be anything but generous to one who
had saved his life.
But it was about the end of their COM
radeship. One day a 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 stranger
went away and the clerk returned to his
desk.
That night, when it came time for
closing, Aguado said: "Senor, l must
leave you. am wanted at home, and
it will be useless to try to detain me- :"
Grandfather was surprised beyond be-
lief almost, but he did not try to dis
suade him. He paid his arrears of sal
airy, added handsome bonus and said
goodby 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 for some
time, and as the fighting on both sides
was constant and relentless communica-
ton with Manila was practically cut
off
However, as time went on the rebel
lion was crushed, and the insurgents
were scattered or captured. The leader
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 a long time and had
intrigued successfully among the native
troops sent to oppose him. But he could
not hold out forever, and he, too, was a
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 and throughout the
islands wherever Spanish authority was
recognized, proclaiming reward of
40, 900 Mexican dollars to the one who
would bring the head of the insurgent
leader to the authorities.
My grandfather had frequently seen
these announcements and wondered
what sort of a man it was who caused
the captain general so much annoyance
Both the captain general and himself
were soon to know.
One afternoon the captain general sat
alone in his Office He was in COM
placent mood, for certain documents be-
fore him related to the disposition of
the surrendered insurgent bands who
had been barassing his chosen province
for the last two years. Suddenly, with
out any warning, the door opened be-
hind him and a man stepped quickly
into the room, at the same time slip
ping the bolt again into its place. He
was dressed like a priest, in a long
black gown and had a hood over his
head
Peace upon you" he said coldly,
and Don Xavier Marcia turned in his
chair.
"Who are you, and what do you
want?"
"Do not talk too loud said the Wis
itor, pushing back the cowl from his
face. "Who am 1? See for yourself
The captain general gave a start OF
terror, and 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, 900 for my head. See, l have
brought it myself and claim the money. .
Berceo stepped nearer and drew from
under his cloak long native knife.
81 can't very we'll carry Mexican
dollars. Twill take Spanish bank notes.
Hurry
General Marcia ground his teeth in
rage. but dared do nothing except obey.
He knew we'll the character of the man
he was dealing with. From desk neal
by he counted out the equivalent Of
$40, 900 in Bank of Spain notes and
handed them to the rebel leader, who
began to back toward the door. GOOD
day, senior, be said politely and sprane
out. A guard at the end of the hal
tried to restrain him, but Berceo GU
him down with the knife, and then
throwing off his monks garb, he reach
ed the street and made good his escape
That same night grandfather sa
l. 10 hs al