The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-20


usually brought American punishment
on the place.
Here the inhabitants had little to
lose.
However, the local president re-
ceived me we'll enough, and after sup
per I turned in and soon fell asleep.
was awakened by the changing of
the church bell. In the Philippines it
is the custom to hold mass at mid
night on Christmas Eve. Once awake
l determined at attend mass.
Not having undresesd, 1 was soon
ready.
Outside I met several natives, and
together we went across the little
plaza to the church.
The inside was lighted up by can
dies, and about 100 natives were kneel-
ing there, services having already be-
gun.
The little native priest was no Latin
scholar, so he spoke in Spanish. Thus
l understood him, and became inter-
ested in his simple words.
A choir of native girls sang, and the
service altogether was rather impress
sive for its simplicity.
For this reason l had not turned my
head when l heard the muff1ed steps
Of many feet behind me, and the thud
of numerous metallic bodies against
the stone floor. 1t was long afterwards
when l turned, and started nerVously
at what 1 saw.
Bell1d me, stretched from wall to
wall, knelt a company of insurgent
soldiers, their heads uncovered and
bowed, their guns before them on the
floor.
All religious emotions left me at
once, and 1 thought only of getting
out of the side door and reaching my
horse.
Qrntly, slowly I edged my way over
to that small door. No one needed
me, although all must have known by
my khaki uniform that 1 was one of
the hated Yankees.
Finally. just as the services ended,
1 reached the door, and bolted out into
| the darkness.
l ran toward the presidents house,
| but my haste to reach my horse made
me incautious, and at every few steps
1 stumbled.
Suddenly I fell over stone wall.
For space 1 lay on the ground, stun
| ned by my fall.
l arose at last stiffly and much dazed.
l must have reached the president S
only conscious of seeing it before me
as if it had come to me.
The room l had slept in was lighted
as 1 had left it. by small lamp.
1 had left my saddle-b bags there, so
ran up the stairs to get them.
At the table sat a young native in
an insurgent lieutenants uniform. 1
turned quickly and at the foot of the
stairs stood an armed soldier.
Realizing nv helOlPSSnPSS | walked
in. The insurgent officer arose, but
appeared to feel no surprise at seeing
me.
Christmas greeting. friend" he said
calmly. What is the matter with
your head?"
1 raised my hand to my forehead and
found it bleeding.
Meanwhile the insurgent seated him
self again. 1 did likewise.
He reached into his pocket and pull
ed out a handkerchief. This he gave
to me. and even knotted it after 1 had
passed it around my head. I now felt
firmly convinced that ! was prisoner.
The officer and fell into conversa-
ton, but apparently by mutual con-
sent, made no mention of the war, nor
my present situation.
To my surprise he did not ask for
my revolver. but 1 thought it prudent
to lay it down on the table.
Let us retire." he proposed at last.
"I am afraid | must ask you to let me
share your cot with you-some of my
soldiers must sleep on the floor"
Both Of us stretched out on the cot,
and later a dozen soldiers came in and
occupied the floor.
The boy officer was soon asleep,
and so innocent was his Juvenile face
that l felt no worry over my personal
safety at least
OF course I did not sleep. The
! dawn was just making the trees out
side visible when I arose and carefully
stepped my way across the room over
the sleeping soldiers.
A thrill of hope passed through me
as 1 got down the stairs and found
my horse tethered beside the house
| l was untying him when a voice
from a window above arrested me.
Good morning. Are you leaving
us?"
1t was the insurgent officer.
YES" l replied boldly.
"Well, goodbye, then" and his face
| disappeared.
A sense Of shame overcame me.
| Then. too, I disliked leaving my sad
! dle-bags behind.
So l tied my horse to a post again
and reascended the stairs.
The boy officer seemed surprised to
see me. To his questioning look 1
| replied.
II think 1 shall wait till breakfast"
Then l lay down on the cot again,
and. strange to say, fell aslep.
The sun was high up when again I
awoke. The insurgents were up, and
a native was setting the table with
| cooked rice. eggs and coffee.
! The president, the young lieutenant
! and I breakfasted together. After
wards. looking out of the window,
saw they had saddled my horse.
l determined to see II l was really
a prisoner or not. Rising, ] bid the
| lieutenant good bye.
"Adios." he said. reaching out his
! hand.
] turned TO go.
lone thing" / said Tell me, why
/ don't you make me a prisoner"
The officer looked az me; his eye
brows rose In astonishment.
what. on Christmas Eve2"
That evening was safely housed In
garrisoned town.