The Republican journal., 1903-12-10
THE LOOTIN6 OF PANDAN.
AN EPISODE OF FILIPINO WARFARE.
HOW Jim Raglan OF co. F WON THE
PRIZE PACKAGE.

w. ". MCOeeHdU Ill Sail rldilCiSCO al SOHdut.J
Capt. Morton shook both fists at the
tranquil sky and cursed long and vehe-
mently. Co. F had marched 20 miles
under blazing sun FOR the especial
purpose of surprising the Negros island
branch of insurgents in their mountain
stronghold, Pandan, but the insurgents
were not at home. They were grouped
about the surrounding hills, literally
kicking up their heels in glee at the
discontinue of the Americans. A few
of them were shooting in the general
direction of the town.
With final malediction of much po-
tency and originality, the captain turn
ed to his men, who were casting furtlye
glances at the town and impatlently
waiting permission to forage.
Second and fourth squads remain
here" he ordered. ''The rest of you
get into the town and see what's there.
Bring me chicken, some one.
The men granted the permission dis
appeared through the bamboo hedge
that bordered the town as quickly as a
startled covey of quail scurry into the
brush. The members of the two dis
appointed squads set about helping the
company cook to establish temporary
kitchen.
One of the bandits left his hilltop
and moved down toward the Amerl-
cans. He appeared presently on little
knoll few hundred yards away: The
sound of his voice came family but
distinctly to the soldiers. "Vamos Ia
drones."
The captain made megaphone of
his hands and retOrted in Tagalo with
the affirmation that the lnsurrectoS
were all persons of unmentionable
parentage. Then he laughed. Don't
Shoot he admonished his men, 81 like
that fellows gall"
The foraging party began to return
struggling, with bananas, chickens, anc
miscellaneous articles OF dress. musical
instruments, knives, and the like.
Gee. Cap cried little corporal,
.'here comes Jim Raglan with the prize
package of loot. Blest if it isn't a wo-
man.
well, I'll be damned said the cap
tain, slowly.
A tall khaki-clad private stepped out
from behind the bamboo clumps, hold
ing his Springfield lightly tucked under
one arm. on the other an exceedingly
pretty mestiza girl chung rather contid-
inglv. it seemed. The soldier gently
Withdrew his arm and came to the rife
salute.
"Presidente Socsin's daughter, sir,
he reported. Found her locked up in
one of the shacks."
The daughter of Presidente Junipero
Socsin of La Carlota had been abducted
a few weeks previous by the bandits be-
cause that official had welcomed the ad-
vent of the Americans to Negros. Co..
F had been on the trail of the abductors
ever since.
"CrBuenas dias." said the captain,
removing his hat. THAT is all the
Spanish | know. Tell her it's all right,
jim"
"Buenas dias, senor," replied the
girl in a startled little voice, resuming
hold of the private's arm as soon as it
was disengaged.
Him. said the captain noticing
this movement with slight smile.
Guess you had better act as special
escort, Jim. Here, you dirty ragamuf-
tinS," he shouted to the remainder of
the company, get out of sight: can't
you see that you frlghten the LADY,
Co. + was certainly not dressed for
parade. Two weeks on the trail through
iungles, crossing rivers and rolling
down mountain paths had wrought
havoc with the khaki clothing. The
''kid glove company resemb!ed gath
ering of scarecrows and was bitterly
conscious of the fact consequently it
withdrew, much abashed.
Get her something to eat, Jim"
1,-l4 I,n n,,fo 40
my chicken
Raglan hustled over to the extempor-
lied kitchen, and appropriating the
cleanest tin cup and plate, returned
with food enough for several strong
men. For the first time in the its his
tory Co. + almost forgot to eat. Some
of the men had procured cart and
carabao and heated discussion ell
sued as to the best means of making
ride in that jolting, numbering vehicle
endurable for "The Loot"
She'll be shaken to pieces in that
thing insisted one. ''The only thing
to do is to make a litter
"Who in blazes is going to carry lt?'
oueried another. "We're all half dead"
'Pity some of us aren't entirely dead.
The government is losing money on
you"
Here the captain interrupted. The
blanket rolls were piled into the cart
and the men scurried through the town
to apply lighted matches to the nipa
houses.
"Now will you be good? inquired tie
captain, looking toward the watchers
on the hillside. The solitary one on the
knoll danced up and down in frenZied
rage.
"FalI in, Fours right Forward
march!
Throned on high pile of government
blankets. Consuela Socsin was escort
ed to La Carlota in triumph. When
Raglan handed her down to President
Socsin, in full view of half the regi-
ment and the colonel, the triumph was
complete. The men smiled placidly, as
if so say, GO. F did this
The president, irreverently known to
the regiment as Jumping Junipero,
would have embraced each man sue
cessively, but on first attempt he re-
ceived rude rebuff of ''Get t. hell out
of here" The company dispersed to
its barracks to seek rest and beer.
Three weeks later, lin Raglan enter
ed the captains room, and saluting,
waited for permission to speak.
Fire away" said Capt. Morton
cheerfully.
81 want to ask favor" hesitated
Raglan, 81 want to talk to you as man
to man for a few minutes"