The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-05-30

long lines OF American soldiers WefC
pittcd against the opposing forces OF
the native army, led by Aguinaldo's
best and brayost generals.
As early as the middle of December
it was only too evident that armed
conflict was imminent. All the same,
orders required that Aguinaldo's Of
ficers be received with every courtesy,
and the rank and file with kindness.
They came and went within our lines
at their own free will. Their SOL
diery, their women and children in
swarms would visit the American out
posts and claim share of the ample
rations, and profess undying regard
for their Amigos Americanos yet in
hundreds of native homes rifles and
ammunition were stored to be used
when the day of battle came, and
some of the converts and many of the
churches proved to be veritable ar-
senals.
And it is about ono of these, the
big stone church at East Paco, the
easternmost suburb of Manila, that
there hangs n story not soon to be for
gotten by the men of Anderson's Di-
vision of the Eighth Corps-a story
of heroism and devotion to duty that
may we'll be remembered by the youth
of America.
Crossing the Estero dc Paco by q
massive bridge of stone, the Gale
Real-the main street-passed within
q few rods of the windows and towers
of the church. 1t was the broad thor
oughfare over which went most OF the
travel, and much of the traffic be-
tween Manila and the thronged towns
and villages up the Pasig River and
around the picturesque Laguna de
Bay. 1t was lined on both sides with
houses the lower story of which, at
least. was of stone, solidly built to re-
sist the earthquakes sometimes so de-
structive in this volcanic land, and on
its northern side were strung the tele-
graph wires, two in number, of the
signal corps Of the army, connecting
the outermost blockhouse, Number
Eleven, with the field headquarters of
the general in command of the First
Brigade of the First Division of the
American army of occupation, and
with those Of his superior officers,
Major General Anderson at Division
Headquarters in West Paco, and
Major General Otis at the Palace
within the walled city of Manila.
With the early dawn Of that lovely
Sunday there came galloping along
the hard-beaten road a wiry little Fill
ipino pony, ridden by slender
young soldier in brown khaki uni
form. From underneath the curling
brim of mis- drab felt campaign hat a
pair OF clear, dark-brown eyes peered
eagerly, searchingly along that line
of wire and up and down every pole.
From the >fact that the sentries at
the bridge presented arms as the
young rider spurred along, and that
there was single silver bar on each
dark blue shoulder strap, it was evi.
dent that, despite his youth, the young
rider was an officer, first lieutenant,
and the device on the collar told fur.
ther that he was OF the signal corps oi
the volunteer army. He was hand.
some fellow, with regular features
dark, wavy brown hair and faot
bronzed by tropic suns, but radiant
with the health and spirit of youth.
Only few minutes before, two mer
of the First Idaho had been shot al
most in front of the building where
the young signal officer sprang from
the saddle to make his report to tn,
adjutant-general.
''Lines all safe as yet, SIR" he said
his hand going up in salute, "but th,
fire is pretty sharp along the road
and the sentries say there's occasiona
shooting around them. The worst O
it is that they can't tell where tn,
bullets come from. now that it i
light, and the enemy uses smokeles
powder. The Wyoming regiment il
in reserve, by General Anderson
order, behind those buildings acros
the bridge, and they say, too, tha
they hear shots every little while"
An ambulance, driving rapidly
came rafting down the street from tn
firing line at the eastern skirt of tn
village. A pale-faced soldier, his arm
freshly bandaged, sat beside tn
driver, and both soldier and drive
trembled with wrath and excitemen
as they drew up in front of the build
ing.
"We were fired at from three q
those nipa huts up the road, righ
there this side of the bend!" said tn
driver angrily; and then, lowering hi
vpice, "I've got two desperatel
wounded men inside, too" Then
hospital corps soldier, sprinsing froi
the ster, corroborated the statement
81 could see them in one shac
aiming at me, he said, ''and the bu
let's flew close as--that," and b
whisked his hand back over the shou
der, almost shaving his ear.
"The generals over at Batter