The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-02-13
LETTER FROM TaE PHILIPPINES.
WRITTEN BY WARREN TURNER TO HIS
FATHER.
rContinued from last week. I

reception by this chief. His shack
resembles the Filipino shacks we have
been accustomed to see, being a
little higher and twice as long To
the visitors there were no marks of
Royalty on the exterior, they were in
formed that the house was that of the
Princess the Datto. As the Datto is
old it is impossible for him to live in
his own place in the mountain. He
Us no longer able to lead his warriors
and rival would kill him. He re-
tains his present power by means of
his untold wealth. The Princess is of
Royal blood. She sat in state In the
shack prepared to receive her visitors,
her maids ranged around her. She
looked Princess among her people;
her complexion was clear and light,
her features regular and rather refined,
her bearing as she sat on mat in the
midst of number of beautifully color
ed pillows, was simple, easy and
graceful In all she was a queen ex-
cept for the tobacco she necessarily
chswed and spit in a gold spit box.
Her attendants were many, all dark
and fairly well dressed. Outside the
line of chairs arranged for the visitors
were many bare dusky limbed chill
dren and their elders. The center of
the shack was the reception room.
Three beautiful pieces OF embroidery
hid the view of the rough roof, the
sides OF the shack were in their rude
state except for the ornaments of gold
which spoke of untold wealth. Trunks
of treasures were piled against the
walls, and guns and musical instru.
ments were scattered about. Directly
in front of the Princess sat her brother,
who in absence of the Datto received
the guests. One fell to pounding up
his tobacco in cylindrical piece of
silver and smiled incredulously when
told Of steel ships and guns that could
carry miles; his idea of formidable
ship was one with many masts.
The Princess made excuses for the
absence of the Datto but it was not
long before he arrived. He looked very
old, yet not very feeble, rather de-
mocratic in dress but we were told of
his suits of gold. HIS retainers follow
ed close to him in soldierly fashion,
perhaps about eight or nine in num-
Der, one with fire arm, one with his
Kirse, one with his cup and another
with his tobacco, etc. His greeting
was cordial and he took a seat beside |
the Admiral, his retainers took their
stations around him. The Musicians
opened up the entertainment with
musical instruments. The principal
one was series of ten bells made |
fast 10 strip of wood, this was &C
companied by drums of metal and
skin heads. The music thumped too
much on the ear but was not without
melody. While waiting for the
dancers, rich embroideres of rare
coorings were exhibited, many of
them were cloth of gold. Bracelets,
and other golden ornaments richly
engraved were among the collection
One would never expect to find so
rich possessions in so humble
dwelling. The dancing girls were
dressed in red and yellow, with
head dresses which stood as crowns,
and from which long streamers
fell down the back almost to
the ground, each carried in one
hand fan and in the other hand
kerchief. The music was furnished
by singer with croping nasal voice.
rot pleasant. The dance was in
graceful! movements in circles and
semi.clrcle, at times rapid, again
slow, accompanied in vigorous parts
by heavy stepping and scraping the
foot along the floor, and in softer
parts by graceful movements of the
hand and arms, and posture Of the
head it resembled the dance of the
Geisha girls in Japan. Undoubtedly
other entertainment would have fol
lowed, but the place became SO warm
| ludt tnC SuColo WCIC ItQulISQ 10
leave, impressed however, with the
dignity of their hosts despite their
barbarlsm.
The Convent, now occupied by the
army officers of Kato Bato is riddled
with bullets, as is also the church adj
joining. The history is: Upon the
evacuation OF the place by the
Spaniards, they left hundred rifles
and ammunition with the Filipinos, to
defend themselves against the Moros.
Some scoundrel sold all except IA
rifles 10 the Moros, who descended
from the hill and opened fire on the
town. Fourteen Flliplnos defended the
place with their rifles. The fgh,
must have been fierce one as oul
soldiers found fourteen dead 5odie:
of the Filipnos in the Convent, while
the Moros carried three boat loads o
their own dead and wounded back tc
their fortress in the forest.
| Xvb;la al palloc orr hasa ha II tea RI