Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-12-22

Saved By Christians.

1899 that the last of the Filipino insur-
gent armies was effectually defeated,
and the battalions that formed its
strength were scattered among the noun
tans of Northern Luzon as guerrilla
bands.
! American soldiers garrisoned the prn-
cipal towns along the coast, but the dis
lance between them was sometimes more
than n days travel.
Thus, the traveller who cared to risk
the dangers Of the road, had sometimes
to pass the night in some ungarrisoned
town. miles away from the nearest
American post.
l was at Vigan Mt that time, and
wanted badly to get to Manila before
| New Years Day. No steamers were
scheduled to sail in the interval, SO |
was forced to go down to Dagupan, the
railroad terminus, by horseback, dis
lance of more than hundred miles.
Natives and Americans alike warned
me of the dangers of capture from in
surgent bands. but so necessary was it
for me to reach Manila on time that l
was compelled to ignore their warnings
Leaving Nigan early on the morning
Of December 23. | reached village call
4
but in peaceful district. When morn
ing came and nothing had occurred to
disturb my sleep, danger from insur-
gents seemed very vague. and | set out
on my second days travel with an easy
mind.
At noon | struck the first American
post. Candon, and the post commander
tried to persuade me from continuing. as
| Al, Il 1A had
day by starting early in the morning
| But as | have said, my hurry was
great. and so at o'clock l was once
more on the road.
As had a fair knowledge of the coun-
try l knew that evening must bring me
near a small village called Sevilla, and
there. in the house of the municipal pres
ident | expected to pass the night
Christmas Eve
| | kept looking for the town. but it was
almost dark and still no sign Of houses.
Finally | met passing native, and
asked him:
/ Where is Sevilla?"
'"There," he answered, pointing.
| saw nothing but big mango tree.
"Where?" ! asked again.
| "Tlere; behind that tree"
| Investigation disclosed the town on the
other side of the tree-six small huts
and church in the distance beyond.
| This was unpleasant, for towns of that
size were really dangerous. In the larger
communities n traveller would have been
safer. as ''nishal&" usually brought
American punishment on the place.
Here the Inhabitants had little to lose.
However the local president received
me well enough. and after supper | turn
ed in and soon fell asleep.
was awakened by the changing of the
church he'll. In the Philippines it is the
custom to hold mass at midnight on
| Christmas Eve. Once awake, ! deter
mined to attend mass.
Not having undressed. was soon
ready.
! Outside met several natives. and to-
gether we went across the little plaza
to the church.
The inside was lighted up by candles,
and about 100 natives were kneeling
there. services having already begun.
The little native priest was no Latin
scholar. so he spoke in Spanish Thus
understood him and became interested in
his simple words.
| A choir OF native girls sang, and the
service altogether was rather impressive
for its simplicity.
For this reason ! had not turned my
head when heard the muffled steps OF
many feet behind me. and the thud of
numerous metallic bodies against the
stone floor. II was long afterward when
l turned, and started nervously as what
/ saw.
Behind me. stretched from wall to
wall. knelt company Of insurgent SOL
diers, their heads uncovered and bowed
their guns before them on the floor.
All religious emotions left me at once
and ! thought only Of getting out Of the
aide door and reaching my horse.
Quietly. slowly l edged my way over
to that small door. No ono needed me-
although all must have known by my
khaki uniform that ! was one Of the
hated Yankees
Finally, just as the services ended.
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 |
stumbled.
Suddenly 1 fell over a stone wall. For