Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-09-13
A FILIPINO SklRH1ISH
A Continuation of W. T. Greqory's
Philippine Letter.
CONTINUED From Yesterday

considerably sent word to the cCm-
handing officer Of Baliuag that at the
head OF 1000 men he would fight his
way into the garrison between thai
date June 10 and June 81 To pre-
vent surprise cur outposts were dou-
bled and other precautions taken to
fell the Filipino gensIal should he at
tempt to carry out his word. The. cav
airy. CT course, was called cut many
times during the days and nights be-
tween those dates. On the morning CT
the oath a detachment Of twenty cav
alrymen was sent out to see what had
become CT the valiant Luna. We took
a northerly course along the Bagbag
river. When we reached our outpost
in this direction eight men were sent
ahead tc constitute the advance. An
other trooper named Benedict, and my
self, were detailed to cover the right
flank of the advance. We kept the
party well in sight until we passed San
Rafael, six miles north of Baliuag.
At this point we encountered a heavy
bamboo jungle. Through this heavy
growth we f2nkers forced our way,
while the point CT the advance, kept the
road. After a tussle with bamboo
thorns and underbrush. we (Benedict
and y struck a fOot-path which skirt
ed the bank Of the river in places, then
darted into the jungle, only to appear
again On the river bank. We followed
shis tortuous path for some distance,
when we came to the conclusion that
we had made mistake, fer there ap-
peared no lateral path that would take
10 tho rood aoaiO- all we knew
the path was taking us directly away
from the detachment. This subse-
quently proved correct. We two held
discussion whether to go back or 60
ahead in the hopes of striking a road.
To force our way through the jungle
with our mounts was out Of the ques-
ton, SO we decided On going ahead
short distance in the hope Of MAX
ing a connection with the advance
party.
Benedict was leading the way, and
after proceeding short distance far
ther the Path took us again cut of the
jungle onto the river bank, which at
this point was about twelve feet high
er than the river bed. The path here
made an abrupt turn to tie east and
gave US an uninterrupted view of the
nature of the country ahead We had
scarcely made the turn. though, when
was startled by an exclamation from
Benedict At the same time my horse
pricked UP his ears and whinnied.
''Turn back" shouted Benedict Il
looked up and saw enough to warrant
US in adopting such a course. Directly
in front OF us, but down in the river
bottom, was a party CT about seven
teen armed insurgents and mounted
officer The natives were about as
much surprised as we were at the sud
den encounter. I tad been carrying
my carbine at the advance" for
emergencies and it seemed to spring
to my shoulder of its own volition. L
pulled the trigger, at the same time
turning my horse toward the rear.
Benedict also fired his piece and fol-
lowed me. Two bounds would take us
to the shelter of the woods again. but
before we reached there a volley
crashed over our heads. As we were |
several feet higher than the rebels the |
bullets few above Us. When the vol
ley was fired I was conscious of hear /
ing an undignif1ed oath behind me and /
turned my head t0 see if Benedict had /
been wounded. The cause Of his oath |
was the unruly behavior Of his horse, /
which at that critical moment was in
clined to balk. Are you hurt ?" l !
niggers; go ahead Leaning on my /
horses neck I applied the spurs Wig /
Crously and recklessly dashed over the |
trail and in danger of being thrown |
from my seat every second by the |
overhanging brush. A couple Of humid /
red yards from where we encountered |
the emmy the trail sl1irtd the very edge |
of the embankment for fifty yards and /
here l expected another valley from
the enemy. During the few seconds it .
took US to reach this exposed point 1 /
WIS conscious of a s5lse CT animation.
I expected to be hit and wondered |
whether the enemy would accord my
body decent burial or chop it into
mince meat. as they have a habit of
doing. They say that a good general
burns his bridges behind him, but the
manner in which we two flying troop
ers were burning the earth and atmOs-
phere would have astonished a meteor.
I reasoned that I was doing wise
thing in retreating; l did net care to
fall a victim to foolishness, and the
thought that a live coward is worth
dead hsroes gave me
nope.
AS expected, as soon al we showed
ourselves on the embankment we were
greeted with another volley. l could
bullets from the ping Of the Rem
ngtons as the leaden missiles passed
ever our heads and crashed through
he brush. In another second we had
passed the exposed point and plunged
lgain into the jungle. but several scat
ering shots followed us.
Knowing that the insurgents would
lCt follow us any distance we shortly
rev rein to take an inventory OF our
.elves. While thus engaged I sighed
savily, but whether with joy at my
scape or with grief at my inglorious
etreat l do net knew. I glowersd at
ny comrade, who was "cussing' every
hing, but whE broke off to say sheep
silly, Say, Gregg, am 1 pale?' We'll,
ather" I somewhat dryly replied, then
lnxiously asked him the same dues-