The Detroit times., 1914-06-25
By FREDERICK FUNSTON,
BrigRdier-G General United states Army.
CHAPTER XIV.

lot secrecy, ana COMMANDER barry
and other officers of the vessel soon
knew the object of the expedition.
The next morning, having Segoyia to
assist me In order that everything
would be well understood, sent for
Tai Placido Bato and Cadhit the ex-
Iinsurgent officers with us, and told
them that we were going after their
cid chieftain, and that they would be
expected TO play their part. as they
had all. OF them without compulsion
taken the oath OF allegiance to the
United States. If they were faithful
they would be we'll rewarded; II not,
there would be but one penalty and
that would be inflicted, 1t It was the
last thing done. They promised to
do their part and did 1t.
The Mecabebes were instructed
that they must at once begin TO COM
municate with each other in the Tai
alo dialect, and not use their own
under any circumstances until the job
/
/ in a lot OF nondescript clothing OBJ
| tanned In Manila, and armed with the
Job lot of Mausers and Remingtons
from the Manila arsenal. There were,
However, 10 Krag carbines, supposed
10 have been captured from we Amer
lean prisoners.
The time had now come when ii
was necessary to write the two bogus
letters from Lacuna to Aguinaldo,
these to be on the sheets OF paper
that bore at their head the stamp Of
the former and his initiated signature
at the foot. | made out a rough draft
OF what | wanted said, but left the
actual composition and writing to
Segovia.
One letter. dated Feb. %, stated
that the writer had received orders
from Baldomero Aguinaldo who had
just assumed command of the Center
OF Luzon," to send one of HRS best
companies to report TO the dictator
Fortunately for us, the weather was
thick and squally, and at / O'Clock
on the morning OF March IA, the Vicks-
burg having very carefully approached
the coast, with all her lights screened,
we were landed in the ships boats.
We were inside the entrance TO Cast
guran Bay, and SO fairly we'll protect.
ed, with the consequence that we had
no surf work. The darkness was in
tense, however, and II was raining so
that we did not feel particularly com
Portable or cheerful We brought
ashore one days ration OF rice, as we
could carry no American food
Everything was now in our favor,
as we felt positive that our landing
| had not been discovered.
| We waded about a dozen streams,
meme OF them over hip deep, but the
greatest nuisance was the fact that
during the greater part OF the march
II was high tide.
! II was very desirable to send word
OF our coming TO Casiguran. not only
that the inhabitants Of the village
might not be alarmed by the approach
| OF an armed force, but that supplies
might be collected for us.
! We ccncocted another letter. This
was addressed to the presidente Of
Casiguaran, and was written by
Segovia This communication stated
that the writer was in command OF a
body OF insurgent troops belonging to
/
way north to report 10 the Dictator"
| It was requested that the recipient
would Immediately send a guide to
meet the column, and have all ar.
rangements made for the housing and
provisioning OF the force. After the
letter had been got up | invited my
corpulent friend Hilario to sign It..
This he did without batting an eye
lash doubt II he ever read It.
! We sent this missive to Segismundo,
he being accompanied by Gregorio
| Cadhit and two armed Macabebes
The last-named men had their instruc.
tions as to what they were to do In
case OF treachery.
The guide and the vice-president OF
Casiguaran soon met us, and we knew
that so far all was we'll.
The village band was pressed into
service and we entered the town in
great style.
| | am glad to be able TO state that
the general attitude OF the people of
the town toward us was not hostile.
They crowded around us, and there
we're some black looks, and some re-
marks not OF complimentary nature.
but In general there was nothing in
tfeir conduct to criticize. Finally, we
entered the plaza, the local band exud.
ing some lively, II not very inspiring,
music. The whole situation was SO
lrdicrous that II was with difficulty
we could keep from laughing, despite
the peril OF our position.
We prisoners were confined In a
room in the municipal building, our
guards being our own Macabebes.
while Segovla, Segismundo and the
"agalo officers we're accommodated in
a room across the hallway. In the
meantime, Segovia and Tai Placido
had been talking with the vice-presi.
dente. This official informed them
that the march to Palanan would have
20 be made under great difficulties un.
less we could wait several days until
he could collect a sufficient quantity
OF cracked corn 10 furnish us with
food for the Journey.
But II had already been arranged
with Commander Barry OF the Vicks.
burg that he was TO reach Palanan
bay on March %, and, II he did not
find us awaiting him on the beach
land force and march 10 the town to
ascertain II possible what had become
of us.
We Americans Law on the hard floor
talking in low tones as TO the possible
: outcome Of the adventure that we