The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-06-03
HE "sNIpEDD THE FILIpINos.

u ~ regiments were ordered Il
Q q the States for muster out
4 y i General Funston. then Col
ToN onel Of the Twentieth Kan
sas, was on one of his famous hike,
north of San Fernando. When neal
the swamps Of Candaba, a little way
from Arayat, he noted signs of the
enemy, and to escape an engagement,
before he knew something Of his
strength he sent out detachment OF
ten men to reconnoitre. locate him. and
II possible, ascertain the character OF
bis intrenchments.
Jack Devinnie, of Company NJ. was
among the number selected to perform
the important but dangerous mission
AS his name suggests, he was of Erins
blood, and next to the green he 10, ed
the yellow, for lie was son of the
eruptiOle Sunflower State. When on
his good behavior Jack was looked
upon as the peer of any man in his reg.
iment for scout service. or service OF
any sort that required sagacity and
mother wit. More than once he had
received the gracious thanks of his
company and regimental commanders
for the successful performance of du-
ties In which his life hung in the bal
ancc.
The detachment was placed under
the command of q Sergeant, and 1t was
soon hid in the bush of the adjacent
forest. the edge of which had been Sc.
lected for the nights bivouac. unless.
perchance. the force of the foe and
his position had been fixed beyond
peradventure. Hour after hour pa ssed.
for the detachment. according to in.
structions, had made a wide detour
and did not get back until just before
sundown. when, for the first time, Il
was noticed that Devinnle's place in
ranks was vacant This caused no I'M.
easiness at first. for 1t was supposed
that he fell out" for urgent reasons
and would soon put in an appearance.
But darkness came and no Jack. Then
there was anxiety. Some expressed
the fear that he had got lost In the
mazes of the underbrush. but his com.
pany companions. who knew him best,
Insisted that he would turn up in due
time. Cold snacks were issued senti.
nels We're posted and the regiment
sought its rest with the trusty Krng
by the side of each man. Funston's
men were not TO he caught mapping.
Corporal of the Guard No. g" rang
out upon the air about 10 o'clock. Tie
answer was made post haste and there
stood Devinnie with three Mausers
and three gugu prisoners in front OF
him, and the sentinel was on his guard
to see that not even Jack got away.
The corporal and the missing man
exchanged a few words, and on insist
ing he was taken before Funston His
company commander was not good
enough for him Just then.
The little man who ran the coup on
hiking Aggic was overglad TO see the
missing scout, and it didn't take but n
minute to see that he had some prizes
to turn over and story to tell. Jack
stood behind his prisoners, and with his
Krag at right shoulder, he brought his
left hand briskly to the small of its
stock, giving the proper salute, and
stood at attention.
surrounded 'em, JackT" queried tho
Colonel, with a merry twinkle in his
eye.
mo. begorra," said he, 81 sniped
'em."
Jack then explained that he was at
the right of the detachment. which was
moving in order Of skirmishers about
twenty feet apart, and that to escape
an impenetrable jungle he moved still
further to the right, tripped on some
creeping vines and pitched headlong
into gulch, where he lay for some
time In dazed condition. On COM
Ing to himself lie went opposite to the
direction taken by the rest of the de-
tachment. and ultimately spied his
three prisoners coming toward him.
Hiding himself in copee practically
secure he awaited them. but they had
evidently tired, and seated themselves
to rest within thirty yards os his place
of concealment. He then resolved on
capturing them and their arms. So he
bided his time, crept upon them. and
when they were in the midst of their
''hablas," he demanded their surren-
der with such junction that they gave
up without even reaching for their
guns.-Manlla Critic.