The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-11-07

lZEC much has been written
~ in praise by the war o
respondents, was leading his men back
into the danger fields, inviting the
American pursuers into every trap
which his crafty brain could devise.
Captain Groce, with a company of in
fantry, was following him closely and
doggedly into the Businesses far to the
north. Village after village was dew
astated by the white troops, always a
few hours after the willy Pillar had
evacuated. Amigos laughed in their
deceptive sleeves at the Americans and
misdirected them with impunity. In
eight cases out of ten the amigo wore
arms underneath his garment of friend
ship and slew in the dark whenever
opportunity arose.. Graydon Bansemer
was one of this doughty, eager COM
pany which blazed the way into the
hills. Close behind came the bigger
and stronger forces, with guns and
horse, and the hospital corps. 1t was
the hunt of death for Aguinaldo and
Pillar.
Shortly after daybreak one morning
a slim, black figure crept out from
among the trees and gave the counter
sign TO the challenging sentry. He
was soon on his way to the captains
headquarters bearing news of impor-
lance. The brown skinned scout had
Travelled all night over a hazardous
route, and he was more than welcome.
He brought news that Pillars men
were off to the east and the north. well
intrenched and prepared to fall upon
the Americans when they advanced
blindly into the trap laid for them.
The newspaper men pricked up their
ears and at once looked to a box Of
carrier pigeons which formed a most
important part of their pilgrimage. A
fight was at hand. doubtless an lmpor-
tant meeting of the clashing forces.
The whole army was waiting for intel
ligence of Pilar-waiting with little
less anxiety than that which attached
itself to the pursuit Of Aguinaldo.
Captain Groce ordered Sergeant Con-
nell with a picked squad to re%connoiter.
They scurried off in advance of the
company. with instructions to locate
the elusive enemy and open up the
secret of his position. Supposedly
Pillar was ten miles off among the
rocky foothills which guarded the pass
through the mountains. AS usual,
Bansemer was one Of the scouts. He
snatched his rations with the others
and went forth eagerly to court the
danger and excitement that was prom
lsed. For days they had had no fight
Ing worthy the name. Amigos every
where, villages peopled only by wom-
en- and children, treacherous peaceful
ness on every side. This had been
their encounter-an occasional rifle
shot from the rice fields, a crackle of
guns far ahead, a prisoner or two who
had not been quick enough in trans
forming himself from combatant to
friend, that was all. Now there SEEM
ed to be real fighting ahead.
Pillar was known to have many men
good soldiers all of them, The native
scout gave close and accurate direc-
tions as to his position. 1t remained
for Connell's men to draw him out II
possible. Captain Groce and the re
mainder Of his eager company did not
march until long after the scouts
were on their precarious way.
Two hours after the party Of eleven
left the village a Mauser bullet from a
clump of trees far to the right cut
through the hat of one of the scouts
who was some distance in advance OF
his fellows. As he saw the scout stooI
to pick up his hat Rogers turned to the
man nearest him and remarked:
''They'n get him sure as shootin
some day If he hikes along in that foo
way"
1t was no new experience for the
scouts to find the quarry gone wheT
they reached the place where they ex
pected to find him. Pillars own scouts
had found that the ambuscade wa
destined to fail of its purpose, and tn
willy leader drew back into the NOR
accessible country. The scouting part,
did not come in sight of the littl'
brown soldiers. Before loon they wer'
far up in the hills, everywhere met b!
the physical assurance that the enem'
was not far ahead of them. Behin'
them came Captain Groce and his mel
and the two correspondents.
Amigos along the mountain roa'
gave information that was not wort
having. A deserted village showe'
signs Of the passage, and finally Their
was proof ahead that Pillar had stoT
ned to give battle. He had reaches
his vantage ground. Cornell and hi
men drew back and waited. Nightfal
came and with It the spiteful crack o
the Mauser rifle. A brawny trcope
toppled over with a great hole in hi
head. Pillars pickets could see lik
cats in the night. The native scou
reported that the big village OF Cor
cepcion was not far ahead; Pillars me
were making their stand before TIL
rather important stronghold.
well get a scrap that Is a scral