The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-14


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
few hours after the willy Pillar had
evacuated. AOigos 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
slim, black figure crept out from
among the trees and gave the counter
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, we'll
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 impor-
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 n picked squad to reconnoiter.
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
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
ised. 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 rife
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-
lions as to his position. 1t remained
for Connelrs 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 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 stoop
to pick up his hat Rogers turned to the
man nearest him and remarked:
They'll get him sure as shootin'
some day If he hikes along In that fool
way"
1t was no new experience for the
scouts to find the quarry gone when
they reached the place where they ex-
pected to find him. Pillars own scouts
had found that the ambuscade was
destined to fail of its purpose, and the
willy leader drew back into the more
accessible country. The scouting party
did not come in sight of the little
! far up In the hills. everywhere met by
the physical assurance that the enemy
was not far ahead of them. Behind
them came Captain Groce and his men
and the two correspondents.
Amigos along the mountain road
gave information that was not worth
| having. A deserted village showed
signs Of the passage, and finally there
was proof ahead that Pillar had STOP
| ped to give battle. He had reached
his vantage ground. Cornell and his
men drew back and waited. Nightfall
came and with it the spiteful crack OF
the Mauser rife. A brawny trooper
| toppled over with a great hole in his
| head. Pillars pickets could see like
| cats In the night. The native scout
reported that the big village of Con-
| cepcion was not far ahead; Pillars men
were making their stand before this
rather important stronghold.
Wen get a scrap that Is scrap.
boys" said Cornell exuitingly. These
| fellows are going to put up fight at
last They're like bees up yonder.
| We've got to fall back on the COM
| pany If we don't, they'll chew us up
before the little captain can get to us"
Too well did the men know the belli-
| cose temperament of the big Irishman
to think Of grumbling at such COM
| mand, yet 1t was with a certain reluc-
| lance which invariably accompanies a
backward step that the men retired to
| meet the advancing company.
Young Bansemer in his khaki uni
| form was not the immaculate, debon-
| naire man of the drawing room. Serv-
4 ~