Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-02-02
A REBELS HEAD.

This is not really my own story-it IS my grandfather's. Still, since it is all i'll the family, I may as we'll tell It; and, besides, it has special interest now, when so many people in this land are looking and longing across the Pa ellie to where our flag floats over Man. ila bay.
 In the year 1842 my grandfather, a young man of 20 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 136 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 a fortune in the islands, he quilted the ship and took service with q trad ing firm on the harbor front In 10 years he was manager of q business of his own, and q man of influence among the foreign traders. The Spaniards, too, looked up to him aud respected him.
 As his business grew he was unable to manage all the details of the in- ereasing trade, and so called to his help q young Filippino 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 q good education; he had h hiC s0I1A a4 and grandfather trusted him implicitly for in the course of time be made him chief clerk and adviser.
 Aguado was absolutely fear1ess-that was where his Malay blood showed out, grandfather would remark; when he himself had occasion to refer to the story F hey were out hunting one day in a jungle, 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 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 q gun-they were armed with nothing but light fowling pieces for pigeon shooting. When SId1dIdIHcI 1Ct1, AS QdNaOs W4O WitS & little behind him, made a 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 it through the neck again and again with the dex- terity of q veteran matador. The Duff falo fell dead in it's tracks and grand e,4J l.. 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 their comradship. One day native from up country called at the warehouse for Aguado. They retired to a distant part of the building and talked long and quietly together. Then the strang~ CT went away and the clerk returned to his desk.
 That night, when it came time for closing, Aguado said: "Senor, I must leave you-I am wanted at home, and 1t 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 handsome bonus, and said good-by to the only man in the. east of whom he was truly fond.
 Two years passed and not q 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, com- munication with Manila was practical ly cut off.
 However, as time went on the rebels lion was crushed, and the insurgents were scattered or captured. The lead- CT of the revolution, one Luiz Berceo. was q 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 forever, and he too, was fugitive.
 Then 1t was that the Government re- sorted to an expedient often tried iB 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 q re-. ward of 10000 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 man it was who caused the captain general so much annoy ance Both the captain-general and himself were soon to know.
 1 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 dis lposition of the surrendered insurgent bands who had been harrassing his ahosen province for the last two years. Suddenly. without any warning, the ldoor opened behind him and a man stepped quickly into the room, at the, Esame time slipping the bolt again into Its place. He was dressed like priest, In a long black gown and had hood.