davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

blood, struggled on as though they had
ceased to be men and had become
avenging furies.
A single man would rush headlongs
blind with blood. into a group of hf-
teen armed natives and scatter them
in flight. Their number shrank from
twelve to eleven. from eleven TO ten.
So long as a man could stand on MS
feet he fought. not in defense but
aggressively, as though a whole regi-
ment were at his heels. Once man
lost his footing that was the end or
him The next second he was multi
lated mass of flesh.
Another man fell and then another.
Finally there were only eight of Com
pany C left. All this had taken place
in less than half an hour. But the
natives had had enough of II. They
were beginning to disappear into the
Jungle und behind the rice grass from
which they had sprung Soon there
was not a brown man who dared to
approach this hardy. blood -besmeared
group of eight men. Every man OF
them was wounded and faint with loss
OF blood. Gibbs himself was suffering
from five cuts
When at last these men were left
to swab the blood from out their eyes
they saw a sight that took still more
strength from them.
About the mess table, where a short
while before a group of soldiers had
sat waiting for the man which lay
beneath the body of the dead lieuten-
ant, there sat now a row Of corpses-
Many of them were beheaded. others
sat as though caught as they tried to
rise from the table. There stood the
food. the tin coffee cups. the forks and
spoons. in front of as CHASTITY body
,,f 1inars ovar human ovaS I0Oxad
upon.
The eight. all that was left of a
company, ran for the boats. They
took with them such of the wounded
as were able to be dragged. and pulled
away from the terrible shore. One
man put out in a boat by himself and
has never been heard of since But
even in the boats they were not safe.
The wounded oarsmen pulled for their
lives. exhausted. feeble as they were
and the natives followed. shooting at
them. Two OF the wounded were shot
| in this way and two others died OF
| their wounds.
All that night the men pulled those
oars. and as the salt sea washed into
the frail crafts it entered the wounds
and set them to burning afresh. Yet
they never dared stop. When one man
tainted the others pulled the harder
When the fainting man revived he
took his place again There was al
ways a vacant seat at the oars. In
strange sea. in the dark. with nerves
tense because of ignorance of how
closely they might be pursued. they
stuck it out until daylight. and until
Basey. the post of Company G, was
reached
And when these others saw this
grewsome boatload of what had once
been men they knew a fear more ter
rible than any they had yet known.
The fainting men did not need to
speak.
Where are the others?" screamed a
company G. man.
There are no others answered
Gibbs.
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

he sprang from the window, twenty
feet from the ground, and started down
the hill shouting his orders:
ITO your gunsr'
was met with more knives. They
hacked open his cheek. cut off an arm.
but still he fought on, and the men,
their heads whirling. could not grasp
the meaning of it. They were hypno-
tized.
But the next second, coming to them
selves. they seized shovels. clubs and
table knives and started in a body
back toward the barracks. Armed with
these weapons alone. they faced the
natives and killed man after man OF
them. One soldier, with only an ordi-
nary spade, welded il with such effect
thA he was soon surrounded by a pile
of dead natives. He then seized one of
their knives and fought on until over
come by sheer weight.
The barracks were reached and four
teen men lost their lives trying to
mount the stairs. Five others tried
to climb a bamboo ladder leading to
the upper story, but when almost with
in reach of tie sill the ladder broke
and back they tumbled into horde
of men, who soon had cut them into
little bits. The natives. crazed by their
success and blood hunger, hacked away
dI lHc DOutco ulAtlA tlCJ nCIC OhACCO5~
nizable.
Gibbs vividly describes his own part
in the bloody work. He says:
81 was in barracks No. , and there
I met the chief of police. 1 had found
bayonet, but had just killed one
man and could not get the steel out of
the body quick enough to protect my
self. The chief was armed with
bayoneted rifle. / lodged behind a par
tition and waited for him. When he
came into the room I sprang upon his
back and forced him into a corner. He
was a much larger and more powerful
man than l, and l soon felt that 1
was losing ground. 1t was a fierce
wrestling match we had there and the
stakes were life. / fought as a dog
fights. biting. tugging. wrenching.
feaming. at the mouth I was crazy
and knew only that in some way L
must L must get this man to the
ground And when that happened 1
must be on top. That is all thought
Oft must be on top.
FINALLY l got my arms about him
and with my last ounce of strength,
lifted. He fell. 1 was on top 1 jabbed
my knee again and again into his
stomach. He weakened and was soon
finished.
When 1 got to my feet 1 saw Cor
poral Burke with man on the bed,
revolver at his head"
Covered with wounds, Gibbs seized
the chiefs rifle and rushed out into the
open. There again it was the fight of
one man against a dozen. But the few
remaining were desperate. The sight
of the wounded comrades, the realiza-
tion of what surrender meant to them
made them shoot and hack long after
they ceased TO know what they were
about. There was only a scant dozen
of them who survived this first at
tack, but they fought like 1900. When
their ammunition gave out they used
their bayonets or the weapons of the
natives themselves. and in a wild
frenzy cut them down by the dozen.
The natives became awed. There was
something uncanny in the way this
small group of men. hoarse- -throated
but yelling like demons. covered with
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

Back in the little New Hampshire town
OF Laconia there is a young man who
is some what reserved. but in other
ways does not differ much from any
one OF a hundred other young men in
the town He is known as an ener-
getic young business man who is
rather inclined TO keep to himself
lie is outwardly calm, good natured
and happy. but in his heart he carries
a memory such as would turn the hair
OF most men gray-a memory that
should have furrowed his face deep
with wrinkles-the memory of a few
hours on the sinister strand of Balan-
giga when he fought naked handed
against. bOlomen armed with long
knives and saw all but eight of a hun
dred men cut down like dumb brutes
in q slaughter house. At times today
the memory Of this brings the mois-
ture TO his brow and he does not like
10 talk about it.
This man is ". J. Gibbs, late of
Company C.. Ninth United states in
fantry. OF this company eight sur
vived the massacre. and of these eight
FIVE have since died. The fight Is with
out a parallel in the history Of mod
ern warfare The picture of this small
band Of Americans on this tropical
island, who, not having heard a word
from civilization for two months felt
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

there, still eager. alert, determined. Once
more he ran through the closely written
pages and smiled. He gathered the sheets
together and caught his hat from the
table where he had flung it on his return
from the church In a very different mood
from that which possessed him then, he
ran lightly down the stairs and hurried
along the street.
The lights in the Office of the Sentinel
were being lowered out of Difference TO
the sun. and because Penrose was through
his work until after breakfast He
pleased at the interruption.
II have something FOR the paper: is IL
TOO late?" asked Winslow abruptly.
YES. 1t Is" said Penrose with decision
and anyway. If It's about last night
I'll tell you to begin with that ] mean
t0 say very little about that affair"
WHO wants you to say anything
about it7" returned Winslow loftily
"This article is concerned with an en-
tirely different matter. or course, II yor
don't care to look it over" he made a
move toward the door
Hold on. Don't go of like that
cried Penrose. He had too many times
sought out the lawyer for advice and in.
formation and the phrasing of an editoria
to send him away dissatisfied or unsatis-
fed. Lets see what you've got" Hs
neiQ out MS HdHu LOT the manuscript
II Thought"
''You thought I was as crazy as the
rest of you,' finished Winslow 'Tn
not / was indignant at that fellows
actions, and how the rest of you coulc
sit like lot OF ninnies-I don't want t.
talk about It.
Give us your stun" urged Penrose
again extending his hand. Winslow, witt
a laugh, relinquishing his papers
Penrose was tired, but he was also
curious. There was something in Wins.
lows manner, at once complacent anc
eager, which stimulated inquiry. He hat
something there which was worth Will,
or he would have waited to bring 1t later
Penrose hitched his chair along to tn,
window, drew the shade higher and be-
gan to read. Before he had read half
dozen lines low chuckIe broke from him
At the bottom of the page he laughed
aloud,
Winslow grinned, in sympathy and self
appreciation. Penrose hurried on Agar
he laughed and wagged his head from sid,
to side. His face frightened The line
of fatigue disappeared. 1t was no
often in his daily routine that he hap
pened upon anything SO full of meat III,
looked up at the lawyer, as he concluded
with an expression very like awe on hi
thin, saIlow face.
! Its good enough for any big Ney
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

York daily" he said solemnly. "By Jimmy
crocus. Winslow. how'd you ever do it?''
'Ive thought about these things for
some time" said winslow modestly. I've
read a good deal on the subject That's
why l can't stand hearing these half
baked uneducated fellows around here
undertake to tell people what TO believe" f"
''1t'll raise hell among the ministers.
said Penrose, 'if l print it."
You're not obliged to print IT," said
Winslow.
But it'll go all over the United States"
pursued Penrose. thinking aloud. s
dynamite, ninety-hve per cent. sure's you
live. but It's great He again glanced
over the sheets he held In his hand. DO
YOU want 10 sign your name to this?" he
asked.
.'Ill sign my initials replied Winslow-
'.Ali right, str. In she goes," said Pen
rose "It's TOO late for today's paper. but
It'll be in tomorow's-W Wednesdays"
That's all right" said Winslow. "And
there's another thing / want to speak
about, Penrose. Some one ought to or
ganize a debating club to discuss these
live topics; why don't you do it?'
'Me?' cried Penrese in dismay. II
couldn't run debating club to save my
damned neck
You wouldn't have to-" returned Wins
low easily. "Get II started and elect a
president and you wouldn't have any
more trouble
There wouldn't any one take the office, .
declared Penrose, "and there I'd be with
a club on my hands You've always said
you hadn't time for such things
.'Oh, well. in an affair Of this Kind-right
in my line" began Winslow
would you be president OF such a
club?'' inquired Penrose point-blank.
..why, yes; II they wanted me to-
.'A1l right, sir; we'll see what we can
do"
"Penrose," said Winslow solemnly, Il
am convinced that you and l between us
can accomplish great deal in the intel
lectual development of Eureka
Il don't know about my part of It," said
Penrose humbly; but he was evidently
taken with the plan.
Before the two men separated they had
organized the Eureka Debating Club. on
paper, selected it's officers and written a
notice, to appear In the same newspaper
with Winslow's article. appointing Thurs
day night for the first meeting. to be held
in the schoolhouse.
1t was not until Winslow had left the
Office that Penrose remembered that this
was the night of the Methodist midweek
prayer meeting, 1t never occurred to him
that Winslow had been aware of the fact
and had arranged the hour, seven. to at
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10
THE SAGEBRUSH PARSON


childrens name for him, because OF
something Arthur said when he read the
notice
What did he say?" demanded Katha-
rine She had quite forgotten her own
fatigue and Mabeis prettiness.
Something about Methodists. I've
really forgotten what. SO when C. "
called this afternoon--''
HAS Mr.. Vaughan been here?" cried
Katharine. sharply. What did he say?
Did he ask for me?"
He didn't ask for any one, Katharine.
He just stayed for nalf-hour or more.
playing With the children. and then went
away. | didn't know. until Arthur
should tell me something about II. how
was 10 act. SO l didn't go down"
The little airs which Mabel assumed
OF "the obedient wife" would have
touched KatharIne's sense Of humor at
another time and in relation to another
subject At present they irritated her
L do wish" she said pettishly, that
you could sometimes think for yourself
and not wait Till Arthur tells you what
ideas arc suitable. OF course, Mr.
Vaughn knew there must be some of us
IN the house. Where was Enmeline?'
"Reading in her room. She has novel
she is crazy to finish. Marguerite says
she reads IL while she combs her hair.
1 don't think he expected 10 see any of
us. Kitty. / questioned Nora afterward,
and she said he didn't ask for soul.
IF / find out anything I'll tell you,'
she added, as Katharine arose to leave
the room. I'll do what / can with
Arthur. or course. / don't know what
sort of a mood he may be in.
She did her pretty. coaxing bes; when
her husband game home, but for once
her dainty wies were Intellectual
Child" he said at length lit is some
thing 1 don't care to have you hear.
Isn't that enough, little pne?"
Ills voice had in II tile note Of re-
proachful tenderness which invariably
sent Mabel into fits OF penitence for
having called 1t forth Forgive me, .
she murmured, with her lips against his
check
She avoided katharine's inquiring
glance at dinner, and when they met in
the hall on their way to bed she whis-
pered in her sister-in-law's ear, ITS of
/ no use. Kitty. lie simply doesn't want
/ to have me know. I'm afraid it's pretty
bad"
What was pretty bad? The challenge
or the manner in which il was accepted
How was Eugene Winslow implicated
If Vaughan had said or done anything
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

tract such OF the parsons loyal adherents
as would not remain away from church.
but might be induced to drop in on their
way to the haifpast-seven service.
There was one person in Eureka who
saw this plainly, discerned the motive in
Winslow's article-the real purpose of the
debating club-no less person than sam
uel Barker His encounters with the willy
young advocate. in court and out OF II.
had. as he expressed IL. put him on to
Winslows curves" and he chuckled
nightly when he overheard Mumford
say. This is directed against the very
foundations of belief
The very foundations, of Vaughan
returned Barker Guess I'll go around
and see what he thinks Of It,"
He found the young preacher in his
study talking earnestly to Jerry Flynn.
Jerry looked troubled and left the room
without so much as asying Good d-day.'
Vaughan. himself. was evidently disturb
ed and paid but Indifferent attention to
Barker's comments upon Winslow and his
works.
so you needn't be surprised or of
Tended said Barker. 'if the attendance
is slim at the prayer meeting tomorrow
night. They'll all go to the club after
reading that article"
What artiele?" inquired Vaughan.
Barker threw up his hands. "You
haven't heard a word I've been sayingp'
he cried. Here" he pulled Wednesdays
Sentinel out of his pocket and threw II on
the desk. Read this and get It through
your head what Winslow's up to-
Cant you tell me what's in it?" In
quired Vaughan.
Barker gave him a quizzical look "a
rehash of Voltaire and the encycIopae edists
done into mining and cowboy vernaculars
but it's cleverly done. Read It. read it,''
Are you in a hurry for your paper?''
asekd Vaughan.
No. But you must read it. right away.
You've got to preach to the d. p /. next
Sunday. You know it's All Fools, and as
chaplain of tbe ID. p. T.
Who said 1 was chaplain of the ID. p.
I.?" interrupted Vaughan. smiling in spite
of himself.
Il did, said Barker: next Sunday be-
ing our day you IL have to preach to us.
The Masons have day. and so does the
G. A. r. Why not the ID. p. L.? Let me
know definitely by Friday. so that / can
advertise. l shall count on you. so don't
! fail me-
He left the church anu Vaughan re-
turned to his thoughts-anxious thoughts
they were. of the danger that threatened
| the pretty sister of mary Flynn.
/ His visit to Richmond Hill the previous
! day had not had for it's object the romr
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10
CHAPTER XXI.
"An Fools.

"AII Fools"
Eugene W.nsiow came home from
what he considered the Methodists un.
pardonable attack upon him greatly
shaken and with a deep sense Of hnmilia
ton and he,plessness. Ii was the first
time Eureka had ever seen him disturbed
out OF his customary dignity and calm,
and he had been five years in the town
Still under 80, he had reputation over
half the State for slear- headed. cool
headed common sense. the ability to grasp
the situation and do the thing which
should be done, with enough learning to
prove his right to do 1t. He expected and
so did every one else. that he would be
the next District Attorney. Barker covet-
ed the distinction, deserved it. when he
was sober, and was nearly twice Wins
lows age. Probably he would get 1t now.
thought the agitated lawyer seating him
self at his desk and burying his head in
his hands.
1t was a bad move TO antagonize Jack.
Confound the Methodist, how did he
know? It was like him to be "snoopine
around!' What would they say on Rich
mond Hill.
over and over again he reviewed the
evening and its influence upon his future
until his brain was SORE How could he
right himself? How could he belittle, de-
grade. make ridiculous the one who had
exposed him? The two desires were one.
Schemes mad as the gallop of wild
horses raced through his brain, followed
by slower, more cunning plans At last
he detained one. scrutinized 1t, questioned
it, and smiled approvingly. He drew pen
and paper toward him and commenced to
write.
! Gradually the tension relaxed. He
sighed, the long fiuttering sigh of one
who sees the clouds lift. In expression.
whatever the result might be. he wa s
finding relief. Only the rapid progress of
the pen over the paper told him he was
yet moved. He drove the words before
i him like a flock of sheep. Now and then
1 he stopped and read what he had writ
/ ten. laughing to himself. The color
came back to his cheeks. the light to his
eyes. He was himself again
Night passed, day came and found hin,
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10
Continued From Page :.

moved. Why did he speak in that ag-
grieved tone, as IL she were 10 blame for
his shortcomings and disappcintments2
we should be very sorry TO lose
you" she returned with equal formal
ity. Perhaps you viii reconsider it. ("
She gathered up her habit and left him
standing there.
Mabel was in her room. She answered
Kathsrlne's knock with cheerful
Come" and removed a pile OF petit
coats from the big chair by the win
dow By way OF invitation TO be seated.
Tired" she queried. as her sister-in-
law threw herself down among the
cushions with sigh.
Yes" said Katharine. YEARLY. Il am.
n isn't spring enough 10 be soothing
and restful The air is like a whip. You
20 on and do things and suddenly realize
you've gone too far. I don't think
shall ride again until il Is settled
weather" Shc picked up her riding crop
and drew her skirts about her
"Doa't go said Mabel She was dress
ing for dinner with the panstaking care
she devoted 70 this daily ceremonial, her
Offering 20 Arthur. Don't CO." she re-
dress: and / want 10 ask you some
thing" Katharine sank languidiy back
again in the inviting recesses of the
great chair What is it?" she inquired
carelessis.
4 wonder v ny. AslhIr IS out OF
sorts with Eugene Winslow.' Mabel
Paused in the act OF thrusting among
ire Masses OF her dark brown hair the
ieweled comb which went through the
fiction Of conhning il.
'lr heg" returned Katharine indhfer-
entiy I'm sure ] don't know"
Il think" said Mabel mysteriously, her
brown eIcs round as a child's, that IL
has something 10 do with that item in
the sentinel shis morning
Katharincs languid interest awoke.
What makes you think so?" she in
qaired. suddenly sitting upright.
On. ] don't know. ] just feel that il
baS. I'm going 70 ask Arthur when he
comes home ! know he won't tell me,
5ut an going to asE him."
You absurd Vhiid." laughed Katha-
rine. How very, very pretty Mabel was.
In that tanrle Of lace and ribbons she
called a ncgigee. i was no wonder
Arthur adored her And she was quite
content TO remain with him, here in the
wilderness. How little difference i,
made where woman lived, If she had
the one she loved beside her
j think the Reverend Gentleman was
C W." pursued Mabel. employing the
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

shuttle they had become lost. For
eight weeks they had heard not a
word from either superior officers or
from home. They had come to this
strange little port and civilization had
shut the door behind them as though
forever.
Day after day they had scanned the
ocean In the hope of seeing some boat
bearing letters and messages TO them,
and day after day the sun had gone
down and darkness had come TO shut
them off more effectually than ever
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

that they had been lost in q military
shuttle; who. seated at breakfast. with
out their arms, We're suddenly attacked
by unknown numbers of brown men
armed with long bolos; who fought
the sharp bitter fight with naked
hands against keen knives. with the
result of almost total annihilation, is
one of the most dramatic in all his
tory.
We had just returned from China"
said Mr.. Gibbs, "and had had a serious
time of it there with the allied armies
in the relief of the missionaries. Our
company was next to Balan giga,
Samar, P. l.. with orders to keep this
small port closed and to allow no trad
ing.
I'VE took up our quarters in the
middle or the town. as is usual, and
although we had out pickets it was
impossible to guard every avenue of
approach on account of the rambling
nature OF the buildings. The Filipinos
appeared friendly. but we knew that
every Filipino was a holoman, always
ready TO join every band of insurgents,
and so took all precautions
Our company kitchen, as is usual
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-10

was some little distance from the
quarters and it was customary for us
to march down to grub in a body. In
the peaceful towns such as this a
guard Is left at the quarters with the
arms"
They had done this every day for
month without the suspicion of any
lurking danger. They had worried
less than usual about 1t for a few
days because every man in the com
pany had become depressed with the
terrible thought that in some military