The National tribune., 1900-05-31

A beautiful sight appeared here on the
north shore. Over the lower part of a
thicket of bamboos, whose fern-like tops
waved gracefully above, a network of
vines bearing blue flowers resembling
morning -glories had spread in such a
natural way, and yet with such appearance
of design, that it might have been taken
as canopy for the dryads, or retreat for
the nymphs of the stream. Indeed, Ettle
further on there were some water-nymphS.
apparently, or very wllite-skinned natives,
up to their necls in the water; but on closer
investigation they proved to be American
soldiers.
Another fine residence was pointed out
at San Pedro Macati. which had also been
used at one time as Pillars headquarters.
This Gen. Pho del Pillar is reported to have
died OF fever Feb 2 of the present year, in
the mountains east of Morong. His divis-
ion, which was raised largely in Manila and
along the PaSig, is said to have disbanded
and to be engaged in civil vocationS with
the exception of a few independents, lad
| rones, which now infest the regions north
OF and around Laguna de Bay.
The ruins of Guadalupe Church, one Of
/ the Oldest structures in the Island of LuZon,
appeared here; also numerous terraces OF
| stone steps descending to the river, where
| fine residences had evidently stood, all
| burned during the insurection. Long
piles OF rectangular stone blocks from
| quarries in the vicinity line the north shore.
This stone is SO soft that nail may be
| driven into it.
The banks Of the river, which are low
| all the way from Manila, are higher here,
with slight hills, among which on the
north bank is stone quarry. At San
Nicholas, town made up chiefly of nipa
| thatch cottages, the insurgents had cascos
sunk across the river, one on top of another,
supplemented with stones to obstruct
navigation. These were removed by the
Engineer Corps.
Near San Nicholas is the pueblo of Mala-
pad ma bato, also made up Of nipa thatch
structures, including the church. A cave.
| the entrance to which is apparent on the
| north bank. is said to extend to San Mateo,
though so far as known it has never been
fully explored.
At the junction of the San Mateo River,
which enters the Pasig from the northeast,
we veer to the southeast through a channel
whose banks were Strengthened and cemen-
ted by the Spanish Government. Here are
two native ferries, each consisting of a fiat
bottomed boat hauled back and forth across
the river by ropes.
The upper one, where a pier and station
stand, leads directly to the city of Pasig,
about a half mile distant. The connecting
towns, which are some distance from the
shore on the south side, are Taguig and
Pateros Ducktown), the latter SO named
from the great number of wild ducks found
in the vicinity. Rice flats line both sides of
the river here, on which caraboas were
grazing.
Over bamboo thickets and banana foliage.
to the north. the tops of mountains, a spur
of the southern CaraballoS, are visible
A beautiful valley extends from Pasig
City 20 the mountains.
Across the flats to the south loftier
peak, belonging TO the Sierra del Sungay,
IS distinguiShable. This mountain is
named after and is located in rear Of Los
Banos CIhe Baths} on the south shore Of
the Bay. Los Banos possess hot mineral
springs, and were formerly a famous re-
sort for lnvaiids and residents of Manila
AT the entrance Of side channel from
the Bay, called by our pilot the Autipolo
Rio, we met the "Napiudan," steam barco,
swamped several small native boats;
though their occupants, despite of the
lostling from the waves, did not appear to
be very much alarmed. "Napindan' is
also the name of n pueblo to our left as we
enter the Bay. These "botes" are, many
Of them, made of Lauaan wood, obtained
from the mountains and cut out b. hand
from single logs.
The natives near the Bay are all fisher
men, and some of them were at work with
wicker traps c'reds') along shore, while
stakes extend IN clusters every few rods
with SnareS and nets. These trans and
barriers OF various patterns multiply as
we approach the channel entrance In
fact, considering the number OF them. we
wonder less that fish are served nearly
every meal at our hotels
The stationary fish-traps are ARRANGED
IN network labyrinths; the fish after pass
ng the broad entrance must ultimately
get into the inner circle, from which they