The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-08-10


with matted hair and dilapidated
clothing, with a rifle on his shoulder
and few ounces Of food in his pock-
ct, he was trudging wearlly through a
dense forest. 1t was an April morning
In the hot season, more than three
months since his departure from the
coast. Behind him lay the grave of
his hopes and ambitions-the memory
of quest that was fruitless and fore
ordained to failure.
The history of the expedition may
be briefly told. In spite of many hard
ships the little band penetrated to the
middle Of the island, where travellers
had never been before. They collected
specimens of unknown plants and
birds and captured several snow white
monkeys. but of wild animals there
were only boars and a species Of tiger
cat, which settled the question of the
Philippines so far as profit to Hamrach
& Co. was concerned. Quin, still hepe-
full in spite of disappointment, insisted
on further search. His men, who were
plucky fellows, supported him.
Then trouble came. The last of the
mules perished. and native died Of
snake bite. The aborigines, fat nosed
savages of crafty ways, attacked the
expedition and killed five Of its men,
bers. They followed it up when 1t
started iu despair for the coast and
killed two more. The survivors pressed
ON, day after day, through the jungles
and mountains. Quin wanted to make
a fresh start northward. and the ma
tives perhaps feared that he would
force them to obedience. At all events,
they quietly decamped one night, tax
ing with them their weapons and am
munition and most of the food.
In the morning Quin discovered his
loss and realized that 1t would be use
less to track the deserters. Nothing
daunted by his misfortune, he shoul-
dered his rifle. pocketed what food was
left, abandoned his specimens and
marched on alone. A week had passed
since then. and now, as nearly as he
could reckon. he was within less than
days journey of Manila. He knew
nothing of what had happened during
his absence. for he had met no human
beings in that week of lonely wander
ing. But twice he had crossed cleared
spaces In the forest SCARED with the
remains OF fires. where large bodies OF
men must have recently camped. And
this suggested to him that the rebels
were once more fighting against Span
ish rule.
''If such is the case," he reflected as
he trudged on that morning, 81 may at
any moment stumble on a Spanish or
insurgent picket. That will mean a
brief detention. perhaps. but nothing
worse"
By MONDAY, however. he had found
no signs of the men, save here and
there an old trail overgrown with
weeds, and he began to think that he
might be little wrong In his reckon
ing A few minutes later. while cross
Ing a belt Of marshland from which
exuded pestilential. steamy mist, he
was startled to hear an angry grunt.
from a clump Of reeds that he had just
passed. He turned apprehensively to
fook. and as he did so a monstrous wild
boar broke from cover and charged
him furlously. The creature was In o
fearful rage. Its species In the Philip
pines are all times III tempered. It's
little eyes were bloodshot. and its
gnashing tusks dripped foam.
Quin's last and only cartridge was in
his rife. and he instantly lifted the
weapon to his shoulder. One foot