The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29

by getting between the rafters and the
roof on the morning of November 20 just
as we were preparing TO leave.
Although the Filipinos searched long
and thoroughly they failed to find me and
finally came to the conclusion that ! had
left the building. Remaining in my hiding
place until | succeeded in getting out OF
the building and reaching the rice fields
east of town. | travelled south all that and
the following night, lying concealed dur
ing the day in the hedges As was bare
footed and only half clothed. with feet and
limbs cut. insect bitten and blistered, l
made slow progress and on the third night
had not yet reached Santa Cruz.
LAS | was nearing this town | encoun-
tered a sentry, and although l killed him
with club, he raised an alarm and I was
recaptured, placed on horse and hurried
back to Candon. After resting there until
morning ! was sent to Angaqui with a
strong guard and a letter to Aguir aldo
who was supposed to be there. AS HI had
gone on to Cervantes | was brought back
and turned over to Gen. GregOrio del Pillar,
at Conception. When the Americans ad-
vanced l was kept with Pillars rear
guard during the battle of lila Pass and
the retreat to Cervantes. Most of the time
! was tied to a pole and carried like pig
by two natives to prevent my escape. At
Cervantes Aguinaldo took personal COM
mand of Pillars scattered forces and re-
treated through Ryan. Sagada, Bon oc, Ia
lubin and Rainan to Banane. in the district
of Kiangan.
Mistreated by FilipinOs.
This journey was the hardest part OF
my captivity, as the natives were in an
ugly mood and took pleasure in hitting the
Americans with the butt of gun or what
ever else might by handy, even officers
using their whips which was the first time
l had been treated other than kindly by
them. Then, too, the road lead over
mountains and was covered with broken
rocks, which made travelling barefooted
very painful, and as We frequently trav-
eled twenty-four hours at time without
food or rest l was desperate and made
many attempts to escape. Although / Of
ten got away from my guards. found the
country impossible for white man: even
a native had to have a pass. We stayed
in Banane until December 90 but as the
natives of this section are hostile to the
Filipinos food was very scarce and horses,
cats. and dogs were common food. AL
though the natives are armed only with
spears, they did not hesitate to attack the
hundred armed men whom Aguinaldo had
at this time, and he was obliged TO fight
them often.
December % AguInaldo determined to
return to Bonto". send his wife, several
other women, and his sick to Cervantes,
where the Americans then were, and with
his soldiers try to join General Tinio. l
was told that / would be given freedom
and allowed to accompany his wife. When
he reached Talubin he found that the
Americans had entered Bontoc and his
plans were impossible. l sent a note to
the American commander at Bontoc, as
the soldiers with Aguinaldo had left, ask
ing him to come to Talubin. Aguinaldo
returned about an hour later and We were
taken to Bainan, and when the American
forces reached Talubin Christmas morning
We were returned to that place and | was
free once more, having been a prisoner
two months and five days.
Il was retained by Major March of the
Second Battalion, Thirty third Infantry
United States Volunteers. TO act as a guide
to those places where AguinaIdo had been
and was expected to go. | remained with
him until December 81. when. as he had
no longer need of me / started for Vigan,
at which post ! reported to Lieutenant
Duffy January s.