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WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA; 
 
 OR, AMONG THE FILIPINOS. 
 

 
 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA 
 
 OR 
 
 AMONG THE FILIPINOS 
 
 BY 
 
 JAMES OTIS 
 
 AUTHOR OF "JENNY WREN S BOARDING-HOUSE," "JERRY S FAMILY 
 "THE BOYS REVOLT," "THE BOYS OF 1745," ETC. 
 
 Ullustratrti 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 DANA ESTES & COMPANY 
 1899 
 
Copyright, 1899 
 BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY 
 
 Colonial ^rraa : 
 
 Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co. 
 Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 CHAPTER PAGH 
 
 I. Ox THE BANCAS 1 1 
 
 II. WITH THE INSURGENTS .28 
 
 III. A NAVAL BATTLE . 46 
 
 IV. IN CAVITE 69 
 
 V. THE PETREL 88 
 
 M173179 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 THE OLD WALL OF MANILA H 
 
 VIEWING THE REINA CHRISTINA . .21 
 
 NATIVES ... 26 
 
 " THERE WERE NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY " 31 
 
 PANDA . -37 
 
 WATCHING THE BATTLE . -47 
 
 THE OLYMPIA IN ACTION 
 
 THE BURNING OF THE CASTILLA . 
 
 - THE FILIPINOS WERE LITERALLY WILD WITH DELIGHT" . 61 
 
 "THE AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS ARE BROTHERS" 
 
 "THE BALTIMORE STEAMS PAST" 
 
 "FOUR EVIL-LOOKING FELLOWS" 
 
 RAY AND THE MALAY . 
 
 SACKING THE HOUSES AT CAVITE 
 
 THE MALAY KNIFE COMES THROUGH THE SHELL PANE IN 
 
 THE WINDOW . 99 
 
 THE DEFENCE OF THE STONE HOUSE 103 
 
WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA; 
 
 OR, AMONG THE FILIPINOS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ON THE BANCAS. 
 
 T)ANDA, Raymond, and I had arranged for an excur- 
 *" sion, on a fisherman s banca, from Manila to Cavite, 
 and, without any very considerable coaxing, succeeded in 
 getting our parents permission for the pleasure trip. 
 
 So far as this permission is concerned, I speak only of 
 Raymond and myself. 
 
 Panda was the son of our cook, a Filipino, although she 
 looked more like a Chinese woman than a true native of 
 the island. 
 
 Perhaps it would be better to explain first, before be 
 ginning the story of what happened to us at Cavite during 
 the last of April and the first of May, in the year 1898, 
 how Ray and I, two Yankee lads from Boston, chanced to 
 be in the Philippines on that day when the fleet carrying 
 the stars and stripes sailed past Corregidor, and destroyed 
 the Spanish ships. 
 
12 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 Ray and I are brothers ; our father s name is Joseph 
 Hyde, and he is the representative of a firm of Boston 
 merchants who deal in hemp. With our mother, we two 
 lads came to Manila one year ago, having travelled from 
 Boston to San Francisco by railroad, and from there to 
 the Philippines on steamers by the way of Hong Kong. 
 
 When Ray and I left home it was decided that we had 
 as good a right to put into print an account of our visit to 
 the islands discovered by Magellan, as any grown man 
 who travels abroad for two or three months, and then sets 
 himself down at home to write concerning what he saw. 
 
 We were very certain that every boy in Massachusetts, 
 or any other State in the Union for that matter, would be 
 pleased to know what two Yankee lads saw when they 
 visited that archipelago, which, to our minds at least, was 
 made up in equal parts of pirates and gold. 
 
 We had read wonderful stories of adventure met with 
 in that group of islands which seemed to be situated 
 almost in another world, and doubted not but that we 
 would have full share in many startling happenings during 
 the two years it was our father s purpose we should 
 remain with him. 
 
 Therefore it was that both of us kept a journal of our 
 travels, setting down everything we saw which was strange 
 to us of Massachusetts, and believing that, when the time 
 for our stay in Manila was come to an end, we should 
 have written such a tale as would be in every way enter 
 taining to lads of our own age, Ray is fourteen and I 
 am nearly sixteen. 
 
ON THE BANG AS. 13 
 
 To our idea the most important article in the " outfit 
 ting " was the mass of paper and dozens of pencils which 
 we purchased for the purpose of writing the story, and 
 nearly every day during that wearisome journey on the 
 Pacific Express did we set down one or more items which 
 appealed to us as being worthy a place in the wonderful 
 tale we were to relate. 
 
 Then, once on board the steamer China, bound for Hong 
 Kong, we filled the pages rapidly, for there was much of 
 interest in the sea voyage. 
 
 At the Sandwich Islands we wrote no less than two 
 chapters, and in Hong Kong it seemed to us as if we 
 must bring the story to an end because there was so much 
 to tell regarding the strange people and the odd things 
 we saw. 
 
 After remaining ashore four days we embarked on the 
 seven-hundred-mile voyage to Manila, and a disagreeable 
 motion of the steamer, so different from what we had 
 experienced while aboard the CJiina, prevented us from 
 continuing an account of our travels until after we entered 
 the Boca Chica channel at the entrance to Manila Bay, 
 steamed past Corregidor Island, and knew that we were 
 within the limits of Luzon. 
 
 At the end of this long journey, during which we had 
 travelled nearly half around the world, we were met by our 
 father, whom we had not seen for three years, and twenty- 
 four hours were spent with him before we began to look 
 about Manila. 
 
 Here was to be the end of the story which we proposed 
 
WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 to send home to the Massachusetts lads, firmly believing 
 that by such means we should make ourselves well and 
 agreeably known to those whom we might never meet. 
 
 We described Manila Bay as it appeared to us on the 
 afternoon we entered ; told of the queer little custom 
 house on the quay ; of the odd-looking oxen, the goats, 
 
 and the Span 
 ish officers who 
 were to be seen 
 everywhere. 
 
 We walked 
 about old Man 
 ila, as a portion 
 of the city is 
 called, looking at 
 the wall which 
 hems it in, and 
 set forth what I 
 considered very interesting descriptions of the peculiar 
 houses, the funny beds, and everything that met our gaze, 
 for nowhere in our progress did we see familiar objects. 
 
 To wear suits of white cotton cloth such as our father 
 ordered for us from the native tailor was in itself worthy, 
 as Ray said, a full page, and that building situated on the 
 banks of the Pasig River, which was to be our home while 
 we remained in the Philippines, needed many words to 
 describe it properly. 
 
 Fancy a stove for cooking which is only an earthen 
 jar, a dozen being necessary for the cook who counts on 
 
ON THE BANG AS. 15 
 
 preparing an ordinary meal, or windows in which are sea 
 shells instead of glass ; buildings that are no more than 
 two stories high, built low because of possible earth 
 quakes, and queer-looking Filipinos, men who are more 
 often seen with game-cocks under their arms than books ; 
 barbers who carry their chairs with them, and ply their 
 trade on the streets. 
 
 It seems a cruel waste of labour and good material for 
 a story, to throw aside all Ray and I had written regard 
 ing what we saw ; but because of that which came to us 
 when the American fleet entered the bay to give the 
 Spaniards such a lesson as was needed, it is necessary, in 
 order to make room for that which befell us when, with 
 Panda, the Filipino lad, who, as I have said, was the son 
 of our cook, we set out on what was intended to be a 
 pleasure excursion to Cavite. 
 
 Of course, since the war broke out, if not before, every 
 American boy knows that Cavite was the Spanish naval 
 station in Manila Bay, and that the city is the capital of 
 the province known by that same name. 
 
 There is a town, a bay, and a peninsula, all of which 
 are called Cavite ; but before visiting the place Ray and 
 I believed it was simply a naval station, because those in 
 Manila whose language we could understand referred to 
 it as if there were nothing else of importance to be found 
 there. 
 
 Now Panda had a brother who was a fisherman, and 
 who sailed on a boat such as would attract no little atten 
 tion in Boston Harbour. It was a long, wooden canoe, 
 
1 6 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 and the Filipinos call such craft "bancas." It had two 
 masts with sails made of lateen stiffened by bamboo ribs, 
 and a lateen sail looks very much like such a window cur 
 tain as I have seen in my great-grandfather s home near- 
 about Gloucester, formed of thin, narrow strips of what 
 appears to be wood. 
 
 Two of these boats work in company, and are fastened 
 together with strips of bamboo, which hold them ten or 
 twelve feet apart, while made fast to the stern of each 
 craft is a scoop-net. It is only a question of sailing here 
 and there wherever the fish are supposed to be found 
 near the surface, and dipping up such as are not fright 
 ened away by the approach of the canoes. Not very 
 exciting sport ; but Ray and I were certain we should 
 find some amusement in it, when Panda, who, luckily for 
 us, could speak English because of having been employed 
 by my father during such time as he had lived in Manila, 
 explained that we would run down as far as Cavite, stay 
 ing there all day, perhaps, and returning during the 
 evening. 
 
 We knew on leaving Hong Kong that war was about 
 to be declared between the United States and Spain ; yet 
 it did not seem reasonable that in these far-off islands we 
 would see any fighting, and it is certain that our father 
 had little idea we might be so decidedly mixed up with 
 the conflict between the two nations as to be in great 
 danger of our lives. 
 
 Of the queer-looking and queer-tasting food which we 
 took with us, or of the odd contrivances for fishing which 
 
ON THE BANG AS. I/ 
 
 we found on board the bancas, there is no opportunity to 
 speak, for I would come to the end of our adventures in 
 the number of pages which Ray has insisted shall make 
 up the story. 
 
 If it so be that some gentleman sees fit to publish it, 
 the lad who reads what I have set down must imagine, by 
 aid of such books as can be borrowed from the Public 
 Library, what sort of an appearance we made on that 
 morning, the last day of April, when we embarked on 
 an excursion which promised a little something in the 
 way of novelty, and introduced us to more actual danger 
 than we are ever likely to see again in the same number 
 of hours, no matter how long it may be permitted us to 
 live. 
 
 So far as concerned the fishing, it was neither more 
 nor less than might have been seen in any portion of the 
 world where a net is dragged through the water with the 
 chance of capturing such fish as are near the surface; 
 not exciting sport, nor calculated to give one a desire for 
 more of the same kind. 
 
 Ray and I lay idly on our backs upon the bench-like 
 seat in the stern of the banca owned by Panda s brother, 
 gazing curiously at the shore, for to us there was much 
 of interest even in the conformation of that bay wherein 
 so many stirring actions had occurred ; but Panda ran 
 to and fro something after the manner of an excited 
 monkey, jabbering in his own language with the crew, 
 as if this skimming the top of the water with a net was 
 a very heroic deed. 
 
1 8 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 Ray, forgetting that we were for the time supposed to 
 be fishermen, recalled to my mind the fact that this archi 
 pelago of the Philippines was discovered by Magellan on 
 the twelfth day of March, in the year 1521, and by him 
 named the St. Lazarus Islands. He referred to the 
 severe earthquakes of 1874 and 1880, when, in the last 
 named year, the destruction of property and life in the 
 island of Luzon was fearful. 
 
 Having in view the story of our travels, which was 
 nearly completed, he read from a printed slip which we 
 brought with us from Boston the following facts that had 
 been constantly in my mind for the past three months, 
 and may as well be set down here in condensed form for 
 the benefit of those lads who are given to indolence in 
 matters of geography. 
 
 " There are thirty-one islands of considerable size in 
 the Philippine group, with eight ports open to commerce. 
 The population is about eight millions, of which more than 
 three millions are in the island of Luzon, the largest of 
 the archipelago, having an area of 40,885 square miles. 
 Manila, the principal city, had as population in 1880 in 
 the walled town 12,000, and in the suburbs from 250,000 
 to 300,000. 
 
 "The city was founded in 1571, and is situated on the 
 eastern shore of a circular bay one hundred and twenty 
 miles in circumference. 
 
 " Manila was captured from the Spaniards by the Eng 
 lish in 1762, the assaulting forces being led by General 
 William Draper, with Admiral Cornish commanding the 
 
ON THE BAN CAS. 19 
 
 naval division. On the twenty-fourth of September the 
 troops were disembarked just south of the city, and 
 the siege continued until the sixth of October, when 
 a breach was effected in the Spanish works, and the 
 town carried by storm. After the surrender the Spanish 
 officials agreed to pay as a ransom for the city two mil 
 lions of dollars in gold, and the same amount of money 
 in bills on the Treasury at Madrid." 
 
 As if considering it necessary to read all the informa 
 tion we had gathered concerning these islands of the 
 Philippines, Ray went further into the history of the group 
 from his store of clippings, and read of what had taken 
 place in this same bay of Manila from the year 1571, 
 when the island of Luzon was reduced to subjection by 
 General Legazpi. 
 
 He read of ten attacks which were made within less 
 than four years thereafter by the Chinese, when the battles 
 lasted several days ; of the massacre of Chinese in 1603, 
 when 23,000 were murdered, and also that of 1629, when 
 no less than 35,000 were killed in cold blood, to say 
 nothing of the many attacks that were afterward made, 
 when hundreds of the so-called foreigners were put to 
 death. 
 
 Then came the story of the latest insurrections in the 
 Philippines, beginning with that headed by Dr. Jose Rizal, 
 and ending with the one in progress at this day, when we 
 knew, although it seemed like something occurring afar 
 off, that Emilio Aguinaldo, with a following of natives, 
 threatened Manila. 
 
2O WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 This last fact, however, gave Ray and me no more dis 
 quietude than it did Panda, for it was not believed the 
 insurgents would be able to make much headway against 
 the Spaniards, unless by chance the American forces 
 should come to this portion of the world, and whatever 
 others may have thought, we two lads were quite certain 
 the Philippines were too far from the United States for 
 such an event to be probable. 
 
 How much more of descriptive matter with which we 
 were already familiar Ray might have read, I cannot say ; 
 but he was in the humour to continue, as if wishing to 
 refresh his own memory, and would have gone on at this 
 work for some time had we not just then arrived within 
 a respectful distance of the Spanish fleet. 
 
 Since leaving San Francisco we had seen many naval 
 vessels, but never at so short a range ; and it pleased me 
 when the fishermen brought the bancas around in order 
 to empty their nets, with the hope that they might be 
 able to sell some of the catch. 
 
 Ray spelled the names for me to write down, and very 
 glad indeed did I feel at that moment because this for 
 midable array of war-ships was not where they could make 
 an attack upon our people. 
 
 There was the Reina Maria Christina, the Castilla, 
 Vclasco, Don Antonio de Ulloa, Don Juan de Austria, and 
 such small craft as the General Lezo, El Correo, Marques 
 del Duero, Is la de Cuba, and Isla de Luzon. 
 
 Whether the fishermen had a successful catch or not 
 it is impossible to say, for by the time I had gotten these 
 
ON THE BANG AS. 2$ 
 
 Spanish names written down we were considerably beyond 
 the fleet, and now all the conversation turned to warfare, 
 Panda joining us that he might describe in his peculiar 
 fashion what the insurgent Aguinaldo had done, and what 
 it was believed he yet would do, but to that I gave little 
 heed. 
 
 Surely those who had arisen against Spain would not be 
 able to do much mischief roundabout Manila while so 
 large a fleet lay anchored between that city and Cavite, 
 and I put an end to Panda s boasting by declaring, as if 
 I knew all the particulars, that " until the American peo- 
 had given the Spaniards a much needed lesson, there 
 was little chance any insurrection on the island would 
 make very great progress." 
 
 " You do not know my people," Panda said, vehemently, 
 and then for the first time I began to feel just a trifle 
 uneasy in mind. 
 
 The boy had said that Aguinaldo s force was even then 
 within a short distance of Cavite, and might it not be 
 possible that we should find ourselves between the fire of 
 this Spanish fleet and the insurgents guns ? 
 
 I said as much as this to Ray, for Panda, having 
 exhausted his predictions and his threats against the 
 Spaniards, went forward to see the fish that had been 
 taken from the nets. 
 
 " It is not probable these half-naked people will be so 
 venturesome as to make an attack anywhere in this bay 
 while it is so well fortified," Ray replied, laughingly. 
 " Look at the forts there at Cavite, and then at the 
 
24 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 batteries around Manila. If that isn t enough to set 
 your fears at rest, remember that both the islands of 
 Corregidor and Caballo, at the entrance to the bay, are 
 fortified, to say nothing of that point yonder. Why, 
 Ernest Hyde, there is no ordinary fleet of vessels that 
 would dare to enter such a body of water as this, where 
 are planted submarine mines, as father has said, and yet 
 you talk about Aguinaldo s beggarly army, as if believing 
 he would dare make a venture that could end only in 
 defeat, however many there might be who follow him." 
 
 All this seemed reasonable, and I put from my mind 
 the faint forebodings of the future, which had come at a 
 time when we seemed most secure, to enjoy the scene 
 around me. 
 
 I had almost forgotten there were any insurgents on 
 the island of Luzon, when finally we were come to the 
 landing-place at the suburbs of Cavite, and immediately 
 our bancas were surrounded by a crowd of natives who 
 talked loudly, indulging in many gestures which seemed 
 to me threatening, meanwhile looking at Ray and me 
 from time to time in a manner by no means agreeable. 
 
 It is all very well for a fellow to declare that he is 
 brave, but put him where Ray and I were at that moment, 
 with none but natives near at hand ; then surround him 
 with two hundred or more disagreeable-looking fellows 
 who appeared on the point of making an attack upon him, 
 and I venture to say he will feel quite as uncomfortable 
 in mind, however much he prides himself upon his bravery, 
 as did my brother and myself. 
 
ON THE BANG AS, 25 
 
 Having once given Ray an opportunity to laugh at me 
 because of my fears, I tried hard to hold my tongue while 
 we remained here on the shore, unable to move in either 
 direction because of the half-naked throng which entirely 
 surrounded us, and it was absolutely a relief, oddly as 
 that statement may sound, when my brother displayed 
 signs of fear. 
 
 " If this is the sort of company we are likely to have, 
 it would be a good idea to find passage back to Manila in 
 some of the steamers which father has said run to and 
 fro, for I have no desire to spend a day with such com 
 panions as these." 
 
 " Let us ask Panda to lead us at once to his brother s 
 house," I said, for it was understood when we left home 
 that we should find cleanly and comfortable quarters less 
 than a mile outside the city, with the cook s son, but 
 Panda was too busily engaged with these newly met 
 acquaintances to pay much attention to us until we 
 had called his name loudly several times, when he 
 came up with the air of one who is vexed at being dis 
 turbed. 
 
 " Why have all these men come here to meet us?" I 
 asked, perhaps a trifle roughly, because, as I have said, 
 there was considerable disquietude in my mind. 
 
 He seemingly gave no heed to my roughness of speech ; 
 but answered curtly, almost insolently, as I fancied : 
 
 " Does it seem strange to American boys that a poor 
 Filipino should be glad to meet his relations ? " 
 
 "Are all these relatives of yours?" Ray asked, with 
 
26 
 
 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 a laugh, and it was not a pleasant expression which came 
 over Panda s face as he replied : 
 
 " We are all of the same blood, and those who are op 
 pressed by the Spaniards are drawn more closely together, 
 perhaps, than people who live in a free country." 
 
 Surely Panda had never talked about oppression, or had 
 very much to say regarding the insurgents, until the 
 moment when we were come within hail of the Spanish 
 
 fleet ; but now 
 it was as if he 
 had suddenly 
 learned of the 
 wrongs done his 
 people, and was 
 minded to 
 avenge them. 
 At least that 
 was the way I 
 read the decided change in his demeanour, and it was by 
 no means pleasant to find ourselves thus mixed up in what 
 might cause our father trouble with the Spanish officials 
 if it should be made known. 
 
 " You shall show us where we can find conveyance 
 back to the city," I said, decidedly. "Ray and I have 
 concluded it will be better to stay at home, than here 
 among people who do not seem friendly disposed." 
 
 "They are the same as your brothers," Panda replied, 
 now laying aside somewhat of his insolence. " Surely an 
 American should be a welcome visitor, for it is that 
 
ON THE BANCAS. 2/ 
 
 country which we believe will free us from Spanish 
 rule." 
 
 " If this is the way of showing friendliness, I wonder to 
 what lengths they might go in case of meeting with an 
 enemy," Ray added, with a laugh, and I understood that 
 he was beginning to grow more comfortable in mind. 
 
 "The day may come when you shall see that," Panda 
 said, with an ominous shake of the head, and I interrupted 
 him by insisting that he lead us to where we might find 
 a steamer on which we could take passage back to Manila. 
 
 " You must go to my brother s house," he replied, 
 much as if we were under his command. " I have told 
 these good friends that the Americans will thus honour 
 us, and you cannot well force me to break my word." 
 
 Whether he gave a signal to the throng around us, or 
 they, understanding somewhat of the conversation, acted 
 upon an impulse, I cannot say ; but certain it is that 
 Panda had no sooner spoken than we were surrounded in 
 such manner that escape would have been impossible, 
 and immediately every man, Ray and I in the centre of 
 the crowd, moved away from the shore toward what 
 appeared to be a suburb of the town. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 WITH THE INSURGENTS. 
 
 TT seemed ridiculous to suppose for a single instant 
 
 A that we were prisoners, and yet it amounted to very 
 
 much the same thing, since we were literally forced to go 
 
 whithersoever these excited friends of Panda s chose to 
 
 direct their steps. 
 
 I was not disposed to let Ray know all that was in my 
 mind, fearing lest he would laugh at me for being a 
 coward ; but I glanced at him now and then as we were 
 forced through the outskirts of the town toward the 
 country beyond, until coming to understand that he was 
 by no means pleased with the general situation of affairs. 
 
 Then I said in what I intended should be a careless 
 tone : 
 
 " These people of Cavite are disposed to be very 
 friendly." 
 
 " I wish I could think they had no other feeling 
 toward us, Ernest, for just now it seems much as if we 
 had been captured." 
 
 " One might think that but for such an idea being 
 ridiculous," I said, sharply, hoping to convince myself in 
 persuading him that there was no danger in the situation. 
 
 28 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 29 
 
 " Why should the Filipinos, and particularly friends of 
 Panda, have any care concerning us ? " 
 
 " That is a question which I cannot answer, but would 
 give much to know exactly why they are so careful 
 regarding our welfare. Do you think it would be of 
 any avail if we should make stout resistance just now?" 
 
 I glanced quickly around us. At the lowest estimate 
 there were not less than a hundred and fifty who thus 
 forced us along at a pace so rapid that at times we were 
 obliged to break into a run lest we be overthrown. 
 
 It would be folly to think of making a stand against 
 them, unless it so chanced they really were in a friendly 
 mood, and in such case I had no desire to make myself 
 ridiculous even in the eyes of a Filipino. 
 
 Ray read what was in my mind, and the knowledge of 
 our helplessness aroused him to anger. 
 
 " I will soon know what they mean ! Panda shall make 
 some kind of an explanation, if it so be he can ! " 
 
 Then he raised his voice, calling upon the lad by name, 
 and those nearest began gesticulating wildly, pointing 
 repeatedly toward Corregido - Island, much as if to say 
 that he who brought us into this snarl had gone in that 
 direction. 
 
 Now for the first time I realised that we were indeed 
 alone with these natives to whom the shedding of white 
 men s blood is no real crime, and, despite all efforts to 
 the contrary, my courage oozed away until I was thor 
 oughly alarmed. 
 
 During all this time we had been proceeding, as I have 
 
30 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 said, at a rapid pace toward the country immediately 
 behind Cavite, and were now well beyond the town. 
 
 Ray, no less disturbed than I, began to look about for 
 something in the situation which might appear less dark ; 
 but his speculations were not well calculated to relieve my 
 anxiety of mind. 
 
 " If there had been any danger in our coming here with 
 Panda, father would have known it, and put a stop to the 
 excursion when it was first mentioned ; but yet, if every 
 thing is as it should be, why have that miserable little Fili 
 pino and his brother suddenly disappeared ? Why has this 
 crowd of villainous-looking natives brought us away when 
 it must have been known we counted on going back to 
 Manila ? " 
 
 As a matter of course I could not answer these ques 
 tions. For a moment came the thought that I would 
 force the affair to an issue by refusing to go a single step 
 farther. 
 
 Then, when I made as if to halt, those in the rear 
 pushed me forward roughly, and yet with every indication 
 of mirth. 
 
 It was a singular situation, to say the least, and would 
 have puzzled many an older and brighter lad than my 
 self. 
 
 If the excursion had been arranged several days in 
 advance, it might seem as if this were a scheme to take 
 us prisoners for some especial purpose. Perhaps that we 
 might be held for ransom, or to force our father, one of 
 the leading American residents in Manila, to use his 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 33 
 
 influence in favour of Aguinaldo s plans. But from the 
 moment we had decided to go, until embarking on 
 the banca, Panda had not so much as left our dwelling. 
 
 Puzzle over it as we might, the only certainty about the 
 situation was that we must, for the time being, do whatso 
 ever those who virtually held us prisoners commanded, for 
 we had seen no white man to whom an appeal could be 
 made, and even though we met one it was doubtful if, in 
 case this throng of Filipinos permitted an interview, we 
 should be able to make ourselves understood, because 
 neither Ray nor I spoke Spanish. 
 
 As we advanced more slowly now that we were clear of 
 the town, men left the throng to run hurriedly back, while 
 others joined us with what was evidently important and 
 pleasing information. Their movements reminded me of 
 a swarm of bees, and the sound of their conversation was 
 not unlike the buzzing of these insects when they set out 
 in search of a new home. 
 
 During fully half an hour we were urged forward, and 
 then the party had arrived at the bank of a small, swiftly 
 running brook, on either side of which could be seen crops 
 of hemp or groves of cocoa palms, while directly in front 
 one might look through the narrow pathway of green cut 
 in the foliage, until he saw the mountains beyond. 
 
 A short distance from where we had halted were 
 several dwellings with thatches of nipa palm ; but for 
 the time being these appeared to have no occupants, and 
 none of our captors made any attempt at entering them. 
 
 The Filipinos squatted down by the side of the brook, 
 
34 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 still talking loudly and without paying any apparent atten 
 tion to us ; but I was quick to note the fact that we 
 were surrounded, although not quite so closely as when 
 we were forced to make the journey from the shore. 
 
 The men fell back with a sort of respectful manner, 
 leaving us comparatively alone ; but they took good care 
 to form a circle completely around us, so that any attempt 
 at escape I use the word because in my mind there was 
 no question but that we were prisoners would have been 
 absolutely in vain. 
 
 In view of the wonderful things we saw shortly after 
 ward, and the many dangers which beset us, the time 
 spent here amid the Filipinos seems now to be but a 
 trifling matter, but yet at the moment it appeared most 
 serious. 
 
 Therefore it is that I will say no more concerning our 
 fears and forebodings, nor set down that which we said 
 one to another, for both of us believed our lives were in 
 peril. 
 
 We finally solved the matter in our own minds, and 
 then came a decided sense of relief at being able, as we 
 believed, to penetrate the mystery, by deciding that 
 we were really prisoners, to be held until father could 
 effect our release by ransom, or whatsoever else it was the 
 natives were eager to obtain. 
 
 We were given food and fruit in plentiful abundance ;. 
 no one ventured to come nigh us, save in order to bring 
 something which we might need, and thus did we remain 
 until sunset, when, to our great surprise and yet greater 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 35 
 
 relief, Panda and his brother, in company with half a dozen 
 others, came up. 
 
 Immediately I began to reproach the miserable Filipino 
 lad for his treachery ; but there was on his mind some 
 thing of such vast importance that he gave no heed to the 
 angry words which sprang to my lips. 
 
 " We must not go back to Manila until morning, 
 and perhaps not then," he said, excitedly, while those 
 who accompanied him were talking vehemently to their 
 acquaintances. 
 
 " Why do you say that we must not go back ? " I cried, 
 in anger. " Do you believe it possible that we can thus 
 be spirited away, and without danger to yourself ? You 
 shall pay for this outrage with your liberty." 
 
 Panda looked at me in mute astonishment, and I knew 
 full well that the expression on his face could not have 
 been assumed. 
 
 "Have you been treated ill ? " he asked, solicitously. 
 
 "What else can you call it, when we are thus held 
 prisoners ? " 
 
 Panda looked around him as if asking what might have 
 happened during his absence, and Ray, shaking him by the 
 arm, said, hotly : 
 
 " Do not think to deceive us by such a show of igno 
 rance! We were forced to come to this place, as you 
 know full well, when it was our desire to go back to 
 Manila." 
 
 " But you cannot go back, senor," the boy said, quite 
 innocently. " It is not safe when the American war- 
 
36 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 vessels may sail into the bay at any moment. Why not 
 remain here until the fight is ended?" 
 
 "What fight?" I asked, now thoroughly bewildered, 
 and after many an attempt to hit upon the right word to 
 express his meaning, Panda finally told a story which 
 seemed to me, at the moment, to be positively incredible. 
 
 It would be useless to make any attempt at repeating 
 it after his fashion, for many times was it necessary to go 
 over certain statements several times, that we might come 
 at the true meaning; but in substance, this was the 
 marvellous tale he told : 
 
 Word had been brought by some of the insurgents that 
 an American fleet was rapidly approaching Manila Bay, 
 and, since war was declared between Spain and the 
 United States, there could be no question as to the pur 
 pose of these naval vessels in coming this way. 
 
 So nearly as we could gather, this information had been 
 kept a profound secret by the Filipinos lest the Spaniards, 
 getting wind of the intended attack, should be prepared. 
 The insurgents great hope was that the Americans would 
 win a decided victory, and thus give them liberty. 
 
 Panda had even more important news to tell, or, at 
 least, so it seemed to him, for his people stoutly affirmed 
 that no less a person than Aguinaldo himself would be 
 on board one of the vessels to pilot the fleet into the bay. 
 
 Try as we might, it was impossible to get a clear idea 
 of how this startling information had been received. One 
 version of his story was that some fishermen, sighting the 
 squadron, had paddled with all speed to Cavite, and there 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 
 
 37 
 
 told those who were known to be true to the cause of 
 freedom of the great deliverance which was apparently at 
 hand. Then again he spoke of runners, coming over 
 land, who had seen the vessels off Point Subic, but 
 whether the information had been brought by one or both 
 of these messengers, we 
 could not determine. 
 
 At all events, Panda was 
 certain that within a very 
 few hours, perhaps before 
 we could return to Manila, 
 the American squadron 
 would enter the bay, and 
 now that this explanation 
 had been made, we could 
 well understand the ex 
 citement which prevailed 
 among those who had es 
 corted us hither. 
 
 After the lad told the 
 news, I demanded to know why his people had made us 
 prisoners, and he gave such explanation as seemed sat 
 isfactory, an explanation which I doubted not was the 
 truth. 
 
 With his brother and four or five others he had been 
 sent along the shore to warn the insurgents, for it seemed 
 that these humble fishermen were leagued with those who 
 would throw off the yoke of Spain, even as we of the 
 United States had thrown off that of the British. His 
 
38 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 departure was necessarily hurried, and he, thinking to 
 return within an hour, charged those nearest at hand that 
 special care be taken of Ray and myself. 
 
 The Filipinos, believing a desperate battle was about 
 to be fought, perhaps within a very short time, and know 
 ing that Cavite, as the naval station, would be one of the 
 points of attack, had simply sought safety in this secluded 
 retreat, bringing us with them apparently by force, because 
 of their inability to explain why it seemed necessary we 
 should accompany them. 
 
 Now, as I have since learned, there had been much talk 
 in Manila concerning the possibility that the city might 
 be attacked, and my father regretted sorely having sent 
 for his family ; but once they were arrived, he kept all 
 such information from them, believing there was no good 
 reason why my mother should be alarmed because of what 
 might perhaps be only idle rumour. 
 
 Had Panda told his story to my father, it would have 
 been believed at once ; but to Ray and me, who had heard 
 of the war only in a general way, and, being taken up with 
 the novelty of the journey, had given but little heed to the 
 statements, the information given by the Filipino seemed 
 incredible. 
 
 However, here we were half an hour s tramp from 
 Cavite, and the night had already come. 
 
 Unless Panda or his brother could be persuaded to 
 return with us, there seemed little chance we would "find 
 our way back without some mishap, unable as we were to 
 speak the language of the country. 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 39 
 
 From this point of view, it appeared best we should 
 remain quietly where we were until morning ; but, know 
 ing how great must be our parents anxiety, for it was 
 supposed we would return before nightfall, it seemed 
 absolutely wicked for us to thus delay. 
 
 Both Ray and I urged this upon the Filipino lad, de 
 manding that he go with us as guide ; but he, magnifying 
 the dangers, as I believed then, stoutly refused, declaring 
 it was necessary for our own safety that we remain with 
 his friends, who, as he said, would keep us from all 
 harm. 
 
 The boy s story had been interrupted from time to time 
 by those around us, who appealed to him for information 
 concerning the force at Manila, or regarding messages sent 
 by their insurgent friends along the shore, and thus, in 
 addition to the difficulty of understanding all he said, was 
 the tale delayed in the telling fully two hours. 
 
 Half as much more time was spent in trying to persuade 
 him to go back with us, and then it was so late that, even 
 had we agreed, we questioned whether transportation 
 might be readily procured. 
 
 " There is no other way for us than to stay where we 
 are," Ray said, at length. " It will soon be daylight, and 
 we ll get back as best we can, leaving Panda and his 
 friends to recover from the shock which this news seems 
 to have given them." 
 
 There was no other conclusion to be arrived at, and 
 we strove to make ourselves as comfortable as possible, 
 by putting resolutely from our minds all thoughts con- 
 
4O WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 cerning the anxiety from which our parents must be 
 suffering because of our absence. 
 
 After a time, and while the Filipinos were discussing 
 the position of affairs as excitedly as ever, we two fell 
 asleep, lying there by the side of the brook, and it seemed 
 as if my eyes had but just closed in slumber when we 
 were aroused by Panda. 
 
 " Our friends have decided that we shall go back to 
 Cavite," he said, in a matter-of-fact tone, as if Ray and I 
 could have no voice in the matter. 
 
 " If it was so dangerous to remain there at nightfall, 
 why should you do such a thing ? " I asked. " Has it 
 suddenly been discovered that the American fleet is not 
 near the port ? " 
 
 " There is no thought of going into the city, senor. 
 We will make our way to the high land just beyond, and 
 there it will be possible to see General Aguinaldo when 
 he shows the enemies of Spain how they may advance to 
 victory." 
 
 " You won t see your general near the American fleet. 
 If there is any idea of going back to Manila, we ll start ; 
 otherwise, I count on finishing my nap," and Ray laid 
 himself down again as if determined to remain where he 
 was. 
 
 At these words Panda showed great alarm, and began 
 to talk rapidly in a mixture of Spanish and English, until 
 he would have been good at language who could have 
 understood the purport of his words. 
 
 Then Panda s brother, hearing what must have sounded 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 41 
 
 much like an altercation, came up and added his entreaties, 
 until Ray cried, petulantly : 
 
 " Very well, we ll go with you, for there s little chance 
 of my falling asleep again after such a row." 
 
 The remainder of the throng, and it seemed to me that 
 the number had been increased very sensibly since we 
 lay down to sleep, came forward with a rush, forcing 
 us onward as they had when we believed ourselves 
 prisoners. 
 
 At a violent pace were we swept onward by this living 
 tide, until finding ourselves upon the brow of a slight 
 elevation, half a mile or more beyond Cavite, where could 
 be had an unobstructed view of the city and the entrance 
 to the bay. 
 
 Tired from much walking, and fretted by loss of sleep, 
 Ray and I decided that all this excitement, which must 
 have occasioned our parents great anxiety, had no founda 
 tion in fact. The story of an American fleet coming into 
 Manila Bay had been invented by some of the insurgents 
 to bolster up the weak-kneed ones in that city, and it was 
 folly for us to put any faith in it. 
 
 " I am going to lie down here, and if you are awakened 
 when day breaks, rouse me ; we ll start for home as soon 
 as there is a hope of finding our way," Ray said, as he 
 lay down upon the ground, while the throng of natives 
 squatted here and there in such position as would give 
 them the best opportunity for looking out over the 
 waters. 
 
 I would have followed my brother s example, but by 
 
42 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 this time all desire for slumber had left my eyelids, and 
 I crouched by his side, involuntarily looking seaward, 
 although positive nothing of importance would be seen 
 in that quarter. 
 
 It was when the silence seemed most profound that 
 a great shout went up from those around me, and in an 
 instant that hilltop was covered with dancing, screaming 
 beings, while I gazed around in bewilderment. 
 
 The noise awakened Ray, and as he leaped to his feet 
 in alarm, Panda ran up, throwing his arms around our 
 necks as he screamed incoherent words, at the same time 
 pointing seaward. 
 
 Then, far away in the distance, we saw tiny flashes of 
 light at brief intervals, and heard a faint rumbling as if 
 of thunder. 
 
 " Can it be possible that our ships are really coming 
 into the bay ? " Ray asked, as soon as we could shake off 
 Panda and stand face to face. 
 
 There was no question but that heavy guns were being 
 discharged far away in the vicinity of Corregidor, and 
 I believe the time never passed so slowly to any one as 
 it did to us two lads, who stood there on the brow of the 
 hill amid that throng of excited Filipinos, waiting for the 
 day to break. 
 
 Now and then, when the cries of the men died away 
 for an instant, I fancied I heard the thud, thud of a 
 steamer s screw upon the water, but yet not a light could 
 be seen. 
 
 If an attack was about to be made on the Spaniards, 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 43 
 
 our people would try to steal quietly into the bay, and 
 as this thought came to me I glanced toward the right, 
 down at the quiet city of Cavite. 
 
 Then it was I understood that we upon the hilltop were 
 not the only ones who believed a fleet of war-vessels was 
 advancing with deadly intent. 
 
 The Rcina Christina, on board of which we knew was 
 the Spanish admiral, lay just off the arsenal, and astern 
 of her was the Castilla. This much I remembered full 
 well, and now as I looked at these two vessels in particu 
 lar, giving but little heed to the others which lay farther 
 outside, I saw lights flash here and there along their 
 decks, sparks coming from their smoke-stacks, and heard 
 the clanking of iron cables as if the anchors were being 
 
 raised. 
 
 There was no longer any doubt in my mind as to the 
 
 truth of Panda s story. 
 
 The Americans were come into Manila Bay, incredible 
 though that had seemed, and my heart sank within me, 
 because in my ignorance I believed it would be impossible 
 for any fleet of vessels to capture a place so well fortified 
 as was the city of Manila. 
 
 It must have been that Ray had thoughts similar to 
 mine, for he said, almost in a whisper, as we stood watch 
 ing the lights dance to and fro upon the Spanish vessels : 
 
 " If there is to be a battle here, and our people are 
 defeated, what will become of the few Americans in 
 
 Manila ? " 
 
 "We won t think of anything like that," I replied, 
 
44 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 speaking as bravely as was possible. " We should be 
 able to whip the Spanish fleet." 
 
 " And that done, what of the forts ? Do you believe 
 they can be taken ? " 
 
 I made no reply, and he failed to notice the fact, for 
 just then we saw that they were astir on the other ships ; 
 we could hear the sound of oars, and fancied it was possi 
 ble to distinguish the outlines of small boats as they sped 
 to and fro from one vessel to the other. 
 
 Then we looked seaward again ; but nothing met our 
 gaze, and I failed to hear even that faint noise which we 
 had believed might be the churning of a steamer s screw. 
 
 Had our people gone back, or was it all a fancy, in 
 which the Spaniards were tricked as well as ourselves ? 
 
 It seemed as if I ceased to breathe, save at rare inter 
 vals, during the next hour, and then, suddenly, as is the 
 case in the tropics, the light of day flashed out. 
 
 In two or three minutes, where had been darkness, was 
 that gray mist which tells of the sun s coming, and a 
 moment later the waters of the bay were lighted up. 
 
 Now it was that Ray and I cried quite as loudly and 
 quite as wildly as did the Filipinos, for we saw, seemingly 
 very near the shore, although perhaps it may have been 
 five or six miles away, a noble fleet of mighty ships, from 
 each of which could be seen floating the stars and stripes. 
 
 As we afterward came to know, the one nearest at 
 hand was Commodore Devvey s flag-ship, the Olympia, 
 then the Baltimore, the Raleigh, the Petrel, the Concord, 
 the Boston, and lastly the revenue cutter McCulloch. 
 
WITH THE INSURGENTS. 45 
 
 " Aguinaldo ! Aguinaldo ! " went up from full two 
 hundred throats, and I saw on the bridge of the com 
 modore s vessel a figure smaller than those around him, 
 who may have been, for aught I know, the insurgent 
 leader ; but at the time I gave no heed to those tiny 
 specks which represented men, for before us were the 
 vessels of my own country, come, as I then foolishly 
 believed, to meet destruction in an enemy s waters. 
 
 And after that destruction, what might be the fate of 
 my father s family? 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 A NAVAL BATTLE. 
 
 TT was a glorious sight which we saw from that hill just 
 
 * beyond Cavite on the morning of the first day of May, 
 
 and the lad who has never been in a foreign country fails 
 
 to realise what a thrill comes upon him when he sees flying 
 
 from the masthead of a ship the star-spangled banner. 
 
 If one flag will awaken enthusiasm, fancy what unspeak 
 able sensations must have come upon Ray and me as we 
 saw our flags upon all those noble ships which advanced 
 as if disdainful of such an enemy as they were about 
 to meet. 
 
 It was no longer possible for me to unite with the 
 Filipinos in shouts of joy ; there was in my heart such 
 a fear for what the future might bring, as held me silent 
 and motionless. 
 
 It would be impossible for a lad like me to describe in 
 any fitting way that which followed, when the greatest 
 naval victory the world ever knew was won before 
 noon. 
 
 I can only write of what I saw, without attempting 
 to describe the emotions which were awakened by the 
 scene, and leave to the reader, if it so chance there 
 
 4 6 
 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 
 
 47 
 
 be a reader of these lines outside of my own family, to 
 
 imagine how we two Boston boys must have felt during 
 
 that forenoon in May. 
 
 To witness a naval engagement, when the spectator has 
 
 no interest whatsoever in either force, cannot fail of 
 
 being thrilling ; but it passes 
 
 beyond words when he who 
 
 looks on believes that the 
 
 lives of those 
 
 dear to him, as 
 
 well as his own, 
 
 depend upon the 
 
 result. 
 
 Our vessels 
 
 were drawn out 
 in line, heading 
 straight up the 
 bay as if to pass 
 Cavite and the 
 
 Spanish fleet without giving any heed to them whatso 
 ever. 
 
 Below us, almost at our feet, the enemy s vessels were 
 steaming slowly to and fro like fighters who await an 
 opportunity to gain some slight advantage in the first 
 grapple, and even the Filipinos were awed into silence by 
 the view of these mighty war-machines making ready to 
 go into action. 
 
 Our vessels were moving slowly, as if courting an 
 attack, when suddenly, with a boom and a roar that 
 
48 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 caused me to start in alarm, came the report of a gun 
 from the arsenal. 
 
 We on the hillside could see the enormous shot as it 
 sped its way through the air, and I gripped my hands 
 hard until my finger-nails were pressed into the flesh, 
 expecting to see the missile crash into one of those 
 gallant craft whereon floated the stars and stripes. 
 
 It fell far astern of the Boston, as if to show how 
 poorly the Spaniards could aim. 
 
 Then came another roar, and it was as if the hill on 
 which we were standing trembled ; a huge volume of 
 smoke went up, and we knew a second gun had been 
 discharged. 
 
 Yet there was no answer from our vessels, and Ray, 
 clutching me by the arm with a force which left the 
 imprints of his fingers for more than two days after, 
 cried, nervously : 
 
 " Why don t they fire ? Our ships will be destroyed 
 without having done the enemy any damage ! " 
 
 He had no more than spoken when a line, made up of 
 tiny specks of colour, was strung aloft from the Qlympia, 
 and, although knowing but little regarding warfare, we 
 two understood that the commodore was giving some 
 order to the other vessels of the fleet. 
 
 Now we expected to see the flame and smoke belch 
 forth from those mighty ships, and yet they steamed on 
 quietly and silently as if their mission were simply to gain 
 an anchorage off Manila. 
 
 Ahead of them, from the direction of the city, came 
 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 49 
 
 shot after shot, and the Spanish fleet was hidden in a 
 cloud of smoke as they added to the shower of missiles. 
 
 The ground trembled as if smitten by an earthquake, 
 and the roar and rumble of guns was deafening ; but yet 
 our fleet steamed straight ahead, with nothing to show 
 that there was life on board, save those bits of colour on 
 the Olympia, the commodore s flag, and the glorious stars 
 and stripes. 
 
 On they steamed without quickening the pace, but 
 bearing slightly to the left, the Spanish line all aflame 
 from Cavite to Manila, and yet, so far as we could see, 
 not one of all those shots struck its target. 
 
 During five minutes or more it appeared to Ray and 
 me as if the Americans were bent on gaining the opposite 
 shore of the bay out of range ; as if, after viewing the 
 fortifications and the enemy s fleet, they would retreat, 
 understanding that defeat must follow an attack, and I 
 believe the tears came into my eyes as this thought 
 formed itself in my mind. 
 
 We were standing, Ray and I, with clasped hands, and 
 around us were the Filipinos, now suddenly grown silent 
 because it seemed as if the Americans flinched from the 
 combat, when I saw the prow of the Olympia turn slightly 
 shoreward. Nearer and nearer on the arc of a circle she 
 bent, until the entire line of vessels was rounding to 
 opposite Manila. 
 
 Then it was that Ray and I shouted more loudly 
 than any Filipino could have done, for the battle was 
 on ! 
 
50 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 Our people were not to be provoked into opening fire 
 until they had made ready, and were in such position as 
 best pleased them. This evidence of cool bravery sent 
 the blood bounding through my veins, and from that 
 moment I ceased to fear the result. 
 
 It had seemed certain that the Americans, disregarding 
 the Spanish fleet, counted on opening fire upon Manila, 
 and yet the fleet was swung into line again, heading 
 straight for Cavite without a shot having been fired from 
 the Yankee guns. 
 
 Then, and before the battle had opened on our side, 
 occurred what at the moment seemed to me like a strange 
 thing. 
 
 Directly in front of the second ship, which was the 
 Baltimore, a huge column of water shot up, rising to 
 twice the height of her short masts, and the thunder of 
 the guns was drowned by the rumbling roar which seemed 
 to come from the very bottom of the bay. 
 
 Then, and even while we w r ere trying to decide what 
 had caused that sudden up-shooting of the waves, there 
 was another spotting of water, another shock as if the 
 earth itself had come in contact with some heavier body, 
 and it appeared to us on shore as if the waves dashed 
 directly over the third vessel in line. 
 
 "The torpedoes!" Panda shouted. "It is said there 
 are many of them between Manila and Cavite." 
 
 Surely the Spaniards, with their batteries, fleet, forts, 
 and submarine torpedoes, should be able to beat off that 
 slender line of vessels which had come so far to avenge 
 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 
 
 53 
 
 the dastardly deed that had been perpetrated in the 
 harbour of Havana. 
 
 To us on shore it was as if the vessels carrying the 
 stars and stripes were close upon Cavite before any sign 
 was made that they proposed to notice the Spanish 
 fleet. 
 
 At this time every battery along the shore, so far as we 
 could see, was hurling shot and shell at the American line, 
 which was advancing as if bent only upon a voyage of 
 sightseeing. 
 
 Then, and while the Filipinos were shouting words 
 which I could not understand, but believed they expressed 
 impatience or anger because of the delay, from the for 
 ward part of the Olympia came a jet of smoke, a tongue 
 of fire, and I distinctly saw an iron missile strike the 
 aftermost part of the Castilla, ploughing its way through 
 the deck as if through so much paper. 
 
 At the same instant another line of fluttering flags 
 went up on the commodore s vessel, and they had no more 
 than been flung out by the breeze before great clouds of 
 smoke arose from our fleet, and we heard the pounding 
 of shot against the hulls of the enemy s vessels even 
 above the roar of those thundering guns. 
 
 Now the Filipinos cries of impatience and anger were 
 suddenly changed to shouts of rejoicing, in which Ray and 
 I joined without really being conscious of what we were 
 doing. 
 
 The battle was on, and, however much damage might 
 have been inflicted upon our ships, of a certainty the 
 
54 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 enemy was getting a punishment so terrifying that they 
 could not long withstand it. 
 
 Now and then, as the clouds of smoke lifted, I counted 
 the leaden-coloured hulls, fearing lest one or another - 
 perhaps all had been sunk by that furious rain of iron 
 which came from the shore and the Spanish vessels ; yet 
 each time I did so the number was complete. 
 
 There was no sign of disaster, no increase of speed, nor 
 lessening of it. All, so far as the manoeuvre was con 
 cerned, remained the same as when we first saw the 
 squadron. 
 
 Would that I could describe the spectacle so that he who 
 reads might see it in his mind s eye, as our fleet steamed 
 past Cavite Point, circling to the right only a mile or more 
 beyond, and coming down again in line of battle, dealing 
 death and destruction at every discharge of the rapidly 
 served guns. 
 
 The morning was blazing hot ; but we on shore heeded 
 it not. Now and then a missile, as like from one fleet as 
 the other, would strike within five hundred yards of where 
 we stood ; but it caused us no alarm. 
 
 We had ceased to have any other sense than that of 
 sight. Personal discomfort was entirely forgotten. The 
 heat and the mental strain caused the perspiration to run 
 down my face in tiny streams, and I was conscious of it 
 only because my eyes were suffused with moisture. 
 
 We had lost sight of town and of ship and of battery, 
 in the sulphurous smoke which hung over all, when the 
 cloud was wafted aside by a gentle breeze from the shore, 
 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 57 
 
 and we saw two small steamers putting out from the 
 shore at full speed, heading directly for the American 
 flag-ship. 
 
 I wondered if they were carrying a message from the 
 Spanish admiral, when Ray shouted in my ear : 
 
 "They are torpedo-boats ! They are torpedo-boats, and 
 in the smoke our people will fail to see them ! " 
 
 Again it was as if my heart literally stood still, as if 
 my breath ceased to come because of the fear which beset 
 me that his words might prove true. 
 
 Then suddenly, almost at the same instant the terror 
 had come upon me, I saw one of the little craft disappear 
 beneath the waves as if forced down by some giant hand. 
 The other, turning swiftly, while the black smoke which 
 poured out of her stack evidenced the frantic efforts of 
 her firemen, headed for the shore, eager to escape that 
 murderous rain of shot and shell which had destroyed her 
 companion. 
 
 The smoke shut down once more, and when it lifted 
 again we saw a Spanish shot strike the second vessel in 
 the line, the Baltimore, fairly on her side, and disappear 
 within the iron armour. 
 
 It was when the ships were steaming back toward 
 Manila again that this was done, and from the Filipinos, 
 as well as us two American boys, a cry of horror burst 
 forth. 
 
 But no more than five minutes later we saw her again, 
 apparently uninjured, and doing as much execution in the 
 fight as either of the other vessels. 
 
58 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 Until our people came back past Cavite again the 
 Spanish fleet remained close inshore, moving slowly back 
 and forth, but evidently taking good care not to increase 
 the distance from the land, and then it was that the 
 Reina Christina went swiftly out toward the Olympia as 
 if challenging her to a duel. 
 
 And the challenge was accepted. 
 
 It seemed to me as if I had no more than time to count 
 a hundred before the enemy s flag-ship was steaming 
 back at full speed to get under the shelter of Cavite 
 Point, while the flames were bursting out from her stern. 
 
 " The Spaniards are getting the worst of it all along the 
 line, and our people appear to be as bright and smiling as 
 ever," Ray yelled in my ear, apparently unable to remain 
 silent any longer. 
 
 The smoke settled down again ; the roar of the guns 
 and the tremor of the earth seemed to have increased. 
 The very air quivered under the terrifying concussions, 
 and while enveloped in this cloud, American and Spaniard, 
 from vessel and fort and battery, did their full part in the 
 horrible din. 
 
 It seemed to me as if a very long time passed during 
 which we saw nothing and heard nothing distinctly, 
 because the heavy thundering had destroyed our sense 
 of hearing, and then I realised that the noise had abated. 
 
 It became less and less until finally ceasing entirely, and 
 we on the shore anxiously asked ourselves who had come 
 off conquerors in this battle, wherein it seemed as if the 
 odds were heavily against the Americans. 
 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 59 
 
 Gradually the smoke lifted, and we saw, to our surprise 
 and consternation, those vessels flying the American flag 
 headed directly for the opposite shore of the bay as if in 
 
 full retreat. 
 
 I looked around about me, and at that moment felt a 
 certain sense of affection for those Filipinos, whom, a few 
 hours before, I had considered my enemies, for on the face 
 of each was written deepest sorrow. 
 
 They also believed the battle was lost, and we stood 
 staring after that retreating line of noble vessels, not one 
 of whom appeared to have received serious injury, until 
 Panda burst forth in a perfect explosion of noise. 
 
 He was dancing to and fro on the hill, as if unable to 
 remain quiet a single moment, and pointing with both 
 hands at the enemy s fleet below us. 
 
 Lying close under Cavite Point was the Rcina Christina, 
 the black smoke pouring up from her decks telling of the 
 enemy which she had within her hull. The Castillo, ap 
 peared to be in flames from stem to stern, and one of the 
 other vessels, the Velasco, I afterward came to believe it 
 was, gave good evidence that she would soon be destroyed. 
 Every vessel in our fleet was steaming away in much 
 the same order and at the same pace as when she entered 
 the bay, while no less than three of the Spaniards were the 
 same as destroyed, and I asked myself, involuntarily speak 
 ing aloud, why our people were running away. 
 
 It was a question none of us could answer, and for ten 
 minutes or more we stood there in a most singular frame 
 of mind. 
 
60 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 On one hand was that which caused us keenest satis 
 faction and joy, not because of the loss of human life, 
 but that our people had whipped their enemy. On 
 the other hand we saw the stars and stripes in what 
 seemed like full retreat, and we were gladdened and 
 perplexed, and sorrowful and wondering, all at the same 
 instant. 
 
 While we stood there in a maze of bewilderment the 
 flames burst out from the Is la de Cuba, and on nearly all 
 the other vessels in Cavite Bay were the men running to 
 and fro as if in dire distress. 
 
 We had fresh cause for wonderment when our fleet, 
 steaming slowly around, came to a standstill opposite the 
 city, but so far away that, so far as fighting was concerned, 
 it might as well have been at the other end of the bay. 
 
 There the vessels remained silent and menacing, as if 
 having steamed off simply to watch the work of destruc 
 tion which was being continued even after they had 
 withdrawn from the fight. 
 
 O 
 
 After a time perhaps half an hour we came to 
 understand, or believed we did, that our fleet had simply 
 retired to allow the flames opportunity to complete the 
 work they had so well begun, and once this satisfactory 
 idea gained lodgment in our minds we were able to speak 
 with some degree of calmness concerning the wondrous 
 spectacle which had been witnessed. 
 
 The Filipinos were literally wild with delight. They 
 knew beyond a question that, if the Spanish fleet had not 
 been absolutely destroyed, it was so far disabled as to be 
 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 
 
 6l 
 
 virtually out of the fight, and the victory was with the 
 Americans. 
 
 To a man they insisted that Aguinaldo himself was on 
 the bridge of the Olympia when she first steamed past 
 Cavite, and equally positive were they that freedom from 
 
 foreign rule was near at hand for the inhabitants of the 
 island. 
 
 Ray and I had a very good idea as to how lively was 
 their sense of thankfulness, when each in turn insisted 
 upon embracing us, simply because we had come from the 
 United States, and before that time of hugging was at an 
 end we knew that the noise and smoke of battle had not 
 deprived us of all our senses. 
 
 The evidences of disaster to the enemy increased each 
 
62 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 moment, until before the end of an hour I think no less 
 than five vessels were in flames to a greater or less degree, 
 and the forts and water batteries showed signs of much 
 suffering from Yankee shot and Yankee shell. 
 
 Several of the more venturesome among our Filipino 
 companions would have advanced nearer the city, bent, 
 evidently, upon some concerted plan, of which Panda pro 
 fessed himself to be in ignorance ; but the cooler heads 
 pointed to the war-vessels lying just beyond range, sug 
 gesting, with apparently good reason, that there might be 
 more fighting in the vicinity of Cavite Point. 
 
 As for Ray and myself, we had no desire to approach 
 nearer the enemy, feeling quite certain that if we showed 
 ourselves to the Spanish soldiery just at this time we 
 might receive exceedingly rough handling. We no longer 
 felt that our parents were in great anxiety concerning us, 
 for surely now the cause of our delay must be in some 
 slight degree understood, although it was reasonable to 
 suppose father would fail to guess exactly why we had not 
 returned home early the previous afternoon, and it seemed 
 in every way wisest and safest to remain on the hill until 
 the Spaniards were more thoroughly beaten than at that 
 time was evident. 
 
 How the moments dragged after we had settled in our 
 own minds the precise condition of affairs on both sides ! 
 How eagerly we gazed at the American vessels for some 
 signs of their return, and how keenly we watched the 
 enemy s ships lest one or more of them should make an 
 attempt at escape ! 
 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 63 
 
 It seemed to me as if one whole day passed while we 
 remained inactive there, looking out over that terrible 
 picture, and then it was with a sense of deepest relief, 
 as if some terrible time of trial and suffering were about 
 to be brought to an end, that I saw the ships, which 
 had been lying in wait, begin to move toward us once 
 more. 
 
 I think at this moment black smoke was pouring up 
 from no less than four of the Spanish fleet, and it seemed 
 much like striking a man after he was down, to pour shot 
 and shell into those disabled vessels ; but it was neces 
 sary because the royal flag was still flying because they 
 did not choose to acknowledge themselves beaten when 
 they were well-nigh destroyed. 
 
 Steadily our vessels advanced, and this time the enemy 
 was not eager to renew the conflict. 
 
 Commodore Dewey s fleet steamed gradually up into 
 position, opening fire with such precision that we could 
 distinctly see the first half-dozen shots as they fell upon 
 the uninjured of those vessels lying in Cavite Bay. 
 
 Then the smoke of battle covered everything once 
 more. 
 
 The thunder of the guns drowned all other noise, and 
 the tremor in the air caused one to experience a sensa 
 tion of giddiness. 
 
 It was noontime. The heat was so intense as to be 
 painful to us on the hillside. 
 
 There was no breath of air stirring, and one could well 
 imagine what must be the sufferings of those gallant lads 
 
64 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 confined between walls of iron, heated inside by the fires 
 of the furnaces and the discharges of the guns until such 
 a temperature as caused us suffering was like unto cool 
 
 air. 
 
 Before the cloud of wool-like vapour shut out the fleet 
 from view, we saw the Baltimore standing well in toward 
 the shore to begin a deliberate attack upon the fortifica 
 tions on Cavite Point, stopping after the first discharge 
 to pour a broadside into the Reina Christina that seemed 
 literally to blow her to fragments. 
 
 Some one farther down the hill passed back the word 
 -for one could not shout with any hope of being heard 
 a yard away that the San Juan de Austria was sunk, 
 and after that we saw no more until the firing ceased. 
 
 This time we did not suffer from suspense as before, 
 for we knew beyond a question that all the Spanish 
 vessels and fortifications were disabled or had surren 
 dered, and we waited with more of curiosity than of 
 eagerness to learn which it might be. 
 
 What we saw when the clouds of smoke passed away 
 was almost appalling. 
 
 The forts and batteries within our range of vision were 
 silenced, and where the Spanish fleet had floated so 
 proudly only a few hours before, there was nothing but 
 blackened hulls, half submerged or beached upon the 
 shore. 
 
 Three vessels were missing, and we knew they had 
 been sunk. Eight were quite or nearly consumed by the 
 flames, and a number of small craft which had plied be- 
 

 
A NAVAL BATTLE. 6? 
 
 tween Manila and Cavite were following in the wake 
 of our fleet, flying American instead of Spanish flags. 
 
 As for our vessels, they were steaming in the direction 
 of Manila, with the exception of one which was yet 
 behind the point pouring shot into two or three small 
 gunboats that were huddled together in shallow water 
 as if for mutual protection. 
 
 I gave little heed to this last work, so deeply was I 
 interested in the further manoeuvres of our ships, and, 
 as might have been expected, we presently saw them come 
 to anchor off the city of Manila. 
 
 As for the town and arsenal of Cavite, they were still 
 in the possession of the enemy ; but that seemed at the 
 moment of small importance, for we knew they could be 
 captured whenever Commodore Dewey was minded to go 
 back to his work. 
 
 It was at this time, while the Filipinos were given up 
 to a delirium of triumph and joy, that Ray and I mutely 
 questioned each other as to what we should do. 
 
 Under the present condition of affairs, while the 
 American fleet lay off the city, it was not probable we 
 would be allowed to enter, for unquestionably the Spanish 
 troops were guarding it as closely as might be. 
 
 This also was the case with the city at our feet, and 
 there seemed to be no choice left us but to remain with 
 our Filipino companions, sharing such quarters as they 
 might be able to provide us with. 
 
 I do not think either Ray or I spoke while we stood 
 facing each other with such thoughts in our minds. It 
 
68 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 was as if I could read readily the perplexities which beset 
 him, and he was not at a loss to understand me. 
 
 It was Panda who settled the matter for us by coming 
 up excitedly as he embraced us once more, crying, in 
 a tone of deepest affection : 
 
 " The Americans and the Filipinos are brothers ! You 
 shall remain with my people until the red, white, and blue 
 flag is hoisted over Manila. We will care for you as we 
 would for our best beloved, for it is your people who have 
 given us freedom ! " 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 IN CAVITE. 
 
 TT was all very well for Panda to talk about the Fili- 
 - pinos being our brothers, and that sort of thing, but it 
 did not go far toward relieving our minds. 
 
 To the right of us, and directly below on the shore, 
 we could see the Spanish flags still flying. The inhabit 
 ants of both cities were shut in until it should please the 
 military authorities to allow them to depart, and we were 
 shut out. 
 
 No one could say how long a time might elapse before 
 we could be with our parents again, and it was this fact 
 which dampened the joy that had come to us at the 
 moment of victory. 
 
 The longer I thought of the situation the more unpleas 
 ant, even dangerous, did our position appear, until I was 
 resolved to put it out of my mind for the time being, and 
 I said to Ray, with as much of cheerfulness as it was 
 possible to assume : 
 
 " Since we cannot mend matters, there is no good 
 reason why we should borrow trouble by imagining that 
 all sorts of evil must come upon us. Father will surely 
 find some means of communicating with the commander 
 
 69 
 
70 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 of our fleet, and before many hours have passed we shall 
 see him." 
 
 " That might be true, if he knew exactly where to find 
 us ; but how is it possible for him to learn that we are 
 skulking in the hills back of Cavite, or how may he send 
 a message to us while the Spaniards hold possession of 
 the shore ? " 
 
 " Both cities must be surrendered before a great while, 
 now that the fleet has been destroyed," I replied, trying 
 to make what seemed very dark to me appear bright 
 to him. 
 
 Then Panda interfered, and it was well he did, for we 
 had almost forgotten the glorious victory in our own per 
 sonal troubles. Had we been left alone a few moments 
 more both of us would have been plunged into titter 
 despair. 
 
 The Filipinos were making ready to approach the city, 
 confident that the insurgents would be nearabout await 
 ing the landing of their leader, for, as I have said, every 
 one was confident Aguinaldo had entered the bay on board 
 the American fleet. 
 
 Panda insisted, with somewhat of authority in his tone, 
 that we accompany the throng, and indeed there seemed to 
 be no other course for us to pursue. To separate ourselves 
 from those who were willing to give us shelter and food 
 would, at this time, have been little less than folly, and 
 I was determined to appear brave even while I felt 
 cowardly. 
 
 "We will go with Panda," I said to Ray, "and forget, 
 
AT CAVITE. /I 
 
 so far as possible, all disagreeable matters. Neither our 
 parents nor ourselves are in any danger 
 
 " How can you say that ? " my brother asked, bitterly. 
 "After what our vessels have done this day, do you believe 
 the life of an American is safe ? " 
 
 " Who would do them harm ? " I asked, stoutly, but 
 with an inward tremor, for a yet greater fear suddenly 
 came upon me. " Surely the natives will be friendly, 
 and if the lower classes of Spaniards in the city should 
 attempt to commit murder, the English would take sides 
 with the Americans." 
 
 It was well this discussion was not allowed to proceed 
 further, else might we have worked ourselves into such a 
 frame of mind as would have unfitted us for that which 
 followed, when it became necessary we be keenly alive to 
 all the surroundings. 
 
 Panda s friends were eager to approach the city, and 
 not disposed to spend much time in persuading us to 
 accompany them. In fact, the Filipino lad himself, grow 
 ing impatient because of the delay, plumply told us that 
 we must set out with him at once, or go our way without 
 further expectation of assistance or guidance from him. 
 
 The victory, which these natives believed would be of 
 such wondrous benefit to their cause, made them all 
 exceedingly valiant, and just at this time their General 
 Aguinaldo was a greater man than the American Com 
 modore Dewey. 
 
 Ray and I followed the party down the hillside, and 
 then along the plain until we had come to the suburbs of 
 
/2 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 the city, when the majority of t hem halted while a few 
 went forward to reconnoitre, for there were too many 
 Spanish soldiers in and about Cavite, every one of whom 
 was probably in a bad humour, to render it safe for a party 
 of insurgent sympathisers to show themselves boldly. 
 
 We had halted under the shade of a nipa-thatched ware 
 house, and there the party remained upwards of an hour 
 before any of the scouts returned. 
 
 The arsenal, the navy yard, and the water batteries on 
 the point were yet in possession of the king s forces, so 
 the spies reported, and it would be in the highest degree 
 unsafe to enter the city until the Americans should com 
 plete their work. 
 
 As a matter of course there was no possibility we might 
 get transportation to Manila, even had we been disposed 
 to run the risks of the short passage, and with such good 
 grace as could be called up we submitted ourselves to the 
 inevitable. In other words, we bowed to the fact that 
 
AT CAVITE. 73 
 
 we must remain away from our parents for at least 
 twenty-four hours longer. 
 
 Had we been less troubled in mind, this delay would 
 not have seemed unpleasant, because of what was occurring 
 around us. 
 
 The insurgents and their friends had begun to gather 
 in expectation of seeing Aguinaldo ; and the disaffected 
 natives joined the rapidly increasing throng from motives 
 of curiosity or policy, for now had come the time when 
 they must declare for or against those who styled them 
 selves patriots. 
 
 We came down from the hillside perhaps two hundred 
 strong, and in less than an hour after arriving at the ware 
 house I believe there were more than a thousand in the 
 immediate vicinity. 
 
 At first we saw weapons in the hands of a few ; but as 
 night approached nearly every man armed himself after 
 some fashion or other, until the throng presented a most 
 formidable appearance. 
 
 Even Panda, boy that he was, carried a sword-like 
 knife, and would have pressed upon us something of the 
 same kind but that we refused to accept arms of any sort. 
 
 " Weapons would be of but little use to us, either 
 against these people or the Spanish soldiers, and we are 
 safer while defenceless," Ray whispered to me when the 
 party began to take on a warlike appearance. 
 
 I was of the same opinion, and therefore did we refuse 
 Panda s offer. 
 
 There was no lack of food. The people nearabout, and 
 
74 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 even for several miles back in the country, rejoicing be 
 cause of the downfall of their ancient enemy, brought out 
 all their stores, and had Aguinaldo appeared then he 
 would have found at his call a full regiment of armed 
 men, provisioned for two or three days. 
 
 Until late in the night Ray and I spent the time in 
 watching these people, but understanding not a word that 
 was said, and seeing Panda only at rare intervals. 
 
 The cook s son had suddenly become a person of impor 
 tance, in his own eyes at least, and gave but little heed 
 to us. 
 
 We were not troubled by his neglect for the time being ; 
 but promised each other that we would keep a watchful 
 eye on him next morning, so that he should be forced to 
 act as guide. It seemed probable that then we might 
 succeed in getting into Manila, for I believed the city 
 would speedily surrender to Commodore Dewey after 
 such an exhibition of his power as had just been given. 
 
 We remained in the warehouse all night, for the very 
 good reason that there was no other convenient place near 
 at hand, and slept as best we could while a thousand or 
 more natives moved restlessly to and fro, brandishing 
 weapons and giving vent to what we believed were threats 
 against the government which had so long held them in 
 subjection. 
 
 With the first light of dawn Ray and I were where we 
 could command a view of the bay in the direction of 
 Manila, and to our great relief we saw one of Commodore 
 Dewey s vessels get under way and steam toward us. 
 
AT CAVITE. 75 
 
 Now was come the time, as we believed, when all our 
 troubles would be speedily ended, but we were not so 
 fortunate. 
 
 It was the Baltimore, as we afterward learned, which 
 had left her anchorage, and, instead of stopping at Cavite 
 even long enough to throw a shot or shell into the fortifi 
 cations, she steamed directly past us in the direction of 
 Corregidor, and more than one of the natives believed she 
 was leaving the bay to summon assistance. 
 
 " Our people will give no attention to Cavite until after 
 Manila has surrendered," Ray said, despondently, and I 
 was of the same mind until a few moments later, when we 
 saw another vessel leave her anchorage to come in our 
 direction. 
 
 It was the Petrel, and the fear flashed upon me that all 
 of the squadron would leave us ; that the destruction of 
 the Spanish fleet was Commodore Dewey s only purpose 
 in visiting the bay, and, the task having been accom 
 plished, he was about to return to his former rendez 
 vous. 
 
 This time, however, we were happily disappointed. 
 
 The Petrel steamed nearer inshore than had the Balti 
 more, and came to a full stop within a distance of five or 
 six hundred yards of the arsenal. 
 
 Then a boat was lowered, and we two lads, together 
 with all the Filipinos, watched eagerly to learn the mean 
 ing of this manoeuvre. 
 
 Our curiosity was not gratified for some time. After 
 perhaps half an hour had been spent on shore, the 
 
76 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 small boat pulled off to the Petrel again, and matters 
 appeared to be in the same condition as before her ar 
 rival. 
 
 Surely it was perplexing, and the natives exhibited 
 quite as much disappointment as did my brother and I. 
 
 Now came a long time of waiting, or, at least, so it 
 seemed to us, although no more than three hours elapsed 
 before the word was passed from one to the other of the 
 Filipinos that the Spanish troops were marching out of 
 the fortifications" 
 
 Cavite was being evacuated, and our time of deliverance 
 seemed near at hand. 
 
 " We are all right now," Ray said, joyously, throwing his 
 arms about my neck as if only by some display of affec 
 tion could he show his great relief of mind. " We re all 
 right now, for as soon as these Spaniards have quitted the 
 town we can make ourselves known to the commander of 
 the war-vessel, and he must take us on board. Fancy the 
 sensation of being among our own countrymen, rather 
 than this rabble, any one of whom appears ready to 
 commit murder ! " 
 
 The Filipinos moved yet nearer the city, and we fol 
 lowed eagerly, for it was our purpose to show ourselves in 
 the front as soon as it might be safe, in order to attract 
 the attention of the Americans. 
 
 We were come into what appeared to me to be a 
 market-place, when the party halted, and from where we 
 stood a motley gathering of men, women, and children, 
 for by this time our numbers were added to by the inhabi- 
 
AT CAVITE. 
 
 tants a good view could be had of the retreating Span 
 iards, who were marching out fully armed. 
 
 Here and there was a native venturesome enough to 
 raise his voice in cries of triumph ; but those nearest 
 quickly checked such an outburst, which was in the high 
 est degree dangerous, for men in such mood as were these 
 vanquished soldiers would not hesitate to send a volley 
 among a throng like ours as a means of relieving their 
 own feelings. 
 
 Less than half an hour after we were arrived, the last of 
 the troops disappeared in the distance, marching in the 
 direction of Manila, and there was no longer anything to 
 restrain the Filipinos, who, with loud shouts of triumph 
 and menacing cries, rushed forward into the city. 
 
 Ray and I went with them because we could do no less 
 while in the midst of such a gathering, and would have 
 done so even had it been possible to choose our own 
 course, for we were advancing toward that point where 
 I believed the Americans were most likely to come ashore. 
 It had been an hour or more since we last saw Panda ; 
 but I had little care as to his absence, because now we 
 needed no guide. 
 
 Once we had made ourselves known to the boys in blue, 
 all troubles would be at an end. 
 
 While we were crossing the market-place the Filipinos 
 contented themselves with uttering joyous or menacing 
 cries ; but once the leaders of the throng were in the 
 vicinity of stores and dwellings their evil instincts burst 
 forth. 
 
7 8 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 In an instant what had been a crowd of people happy 
 in the belief that the cause of freedom was triumphant 
 became a howling, shrieking mob, ready for mischief of 
 any kind, and seeking some living thing on which to wreak 
 revenge for the wrongs endured so long in silence. 
 
 It seemed almost incredible that all those men could 
 have changed in appearance, as well as intent, so sud 
 denly. At one moment I saw about me only friendly 
 faces, and in a twinkling Ray and I were surrounded by 
 brutes in human form who panted for blood. 
 
 We stood appalled, not knowing which way to turn, 
 when shrieks of pain from a dwelling near by caused us 
 to leap forward, believing it possible to relieve a fellow 
 creature in distress. 
 
 There was no question as to the distress ; but it was 
 beyond our power to lend a helping hand. 
 
 The Filipinos had come upon an old Spaniard, one who, 
 perhaps, had insulted or wronged some of them, and were 
 dragging him from his dwelling that all might participate 
 in the revenge. 
 
 The Indians of America could not have been more 
 cruel, or looked upon human agony with greater zest. 
 Even the women tried to force their way among the crowd 
 which surrounded the prisoner, and, failing, threw what 
 ever came nearest at hand at the old man, who was being 
 dragged by the heels back to the market-place. 
 
 Ray and I, knowing full well that we could give no aid 
 to the poor wretch, would have gone in the opposite direc 
 tion, hoping to escape a view of what we knew only too 
 
AT CAVITE. 79 
 
 well must follow ; but so dense was the throng that we 
 were forced along with that yelling mob despite our frantic 
 efforts to the- contrary. 
 
 We saw all that followed, for while so many were 
 brandishing weapons it seemed in the highest degree 
 dangerous to close one s eyes even for an instant, and 
 neither of us will ever be able to forget it. 
 
 To describe how that old man was tortured would be 
 too horrible even for words, and I rejoiced when death 
 finally came to his relief. 
 
 The people were massed so closely around us that we 
 could not move half a dozen inches in either direction 
 until after the terrible spectacle had come to an end, 
 when loud shouts in the distance told that another victim 
 had been found. 
 
 The bloodthirsty brutes ran eagerly in the direction 
 indicated by the cries of joy and triumph, and on the 
 instant Ray and I set our faces toward the hills, for we 
 would not advance on a course where we might witness 
 another scene of horror, even in order to meet those who 
 would rescue us from these so-called patriots. 
 
 " I had rather skulk around the country a week, or take 
 the chances of making our way back to Manila, than stay 
 here a single minute," Ray said, with a convulsive tremor, 
 which told how deeply the cruel death of the old man 
 had affected him, and I was ready to go wheresoever he 
 proposed, providing the course led us away from these 
 wretched Filipinos. 
 
 Hand in hand we ran, believing there would be no 
 
80 WHEN DEWEY CAME 7V MANILA. 
 
 difficulty in finding the warehouse in which we had spent 
 the night, and from there we could readily gain the open 
 country. 
 
 The streets were thronged with people, some, like our 
 selves, frightened ; others triumphantly noisy, and yet 
 more breathing threats of vengeance against those of 
 Spanish blood. 
 
 If our squadron accomplished no more than the freeing 
 of such as these, then to my mind it was worse than 
 a waste of ammunition. 
 
 The multitude that continued to flow into the city may 
 have confused us, or, in our agitation, we forgot the direc 
 tion, turning to the right when we should have gone to the 
 left ; but whatever the cause we failed to find the 
 way out of the city, and instead of arriving at the ware 
 house, we found ourselves in an open square, where a 
 hundred or more half-naked men were sacking stores and 
 houses. 
 
 These people differed in appearance from Panda s 
 friends, and I fancied they had come from the interior 
 of the island, attracted by the reports of the heavy guns ; 
 but there was no thought either in my mind or Ray s that 
 we were in any danger from them. 
 
 During two or three minutes we stood at one side of 
 the square trying to determine in which direction we 
 should proceed, and then I observed four evil-looking 
 fellows eyeing us in anything rather than an agreeable 
 manner. 
 
 " Look over there!" I whispered. "Those men are 
 
AT CAVITE. 83 
 
 talking about us, and it may not be well to loiter 
 here." 
 
 " Surely none of the Filipinos would harm an American 
 after what our vessels did yesterday," Ray replied, with 
 a nervous laugh. 
 
 " That may be true ; but yet I had rather not have too 
 close an acquaintance with such vicious-looking fellows. 
 A moment ago I hoped we should never see that wretched 
 Panda again ; but now I would feel more safe if he were 
 here." 
 
 " There is no reason why we should stay, if you are 
 afraid," Ray replied, seizing me by the hand as one would 
 a child, and turning to retrace his steps. 
 
 I followed meekly, expecting to feel the blade of a knife 
 in my back at any instant, and wholly unnerved. 
 
 Before we had taken a dozen steps the sound of hurried 
 footsteps from the rear told, as plainly as if I had seen all 
 the movements, that we were being pursued. 
 
 Now I was the one to lead the way, and at full speed 
 I ran, literally dragging Ray after me, until a hand roughly 
 grasped my shoulder, pulling me backward so violently 
 that I was thrown from my feet. 
 
 A cry of anger rather than fear burst from Ray s lips, 
 but I was literally unable to make the slightest sound. 
 
 That horrible deed we had witnessed near the market 
 place was before my eyes, and I believed we were doomed 
 to suffer as had the old man. 
 
 Ray, who had managed to retain his footing when the 
 fellows seized us, turned with a brave show of courage, 
 
84 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA, 
 
 as if ready to meet them empty-handed, facing the gleam 
 ing knives without a tremor. 
 
 Even though believing absolutely that we would be 
 killed without a show of mercy on the part of any in all 
 that throng, I overcame the stupefaction of terror suffi 
 ciently to cry : 
 
 " Be careful, Ray, dear ! Do not enrage them yet 
 further ! " 
 
 " Get on your feet and stand by my side ! " he cried, 
 sharply. " I m not minded to hold my head down that 
 these villains may cut my throat the more easily. Stand 
 by me, and we will back them clown." 
 
 "What can we do against a thousand ?" I moaned, in 
 despair. 
 
 " Die fighting, if no more!" and the dear boy struck 
 out with his right fist, tumbling one of the half-naked 
 brutes over with a blow full on the neck. 
 
 It was the younger who had taken the part of leader, 
 and from that moment until we were finally escaped from 
 danger, I obeyed on the instant any and every order he 
 gave. 
 
 His display of bravery had given me some slight show 
 of courage, although the despair in my heart was not 
 lessened, and, regardless of the flourish of knives, I 
 managed to regain my feet, standing close by Ray. 
 
 " Get behind me ! " he cried. " It must be back to 
 back now, for these brutes would sooner strike a foul 
 blow than a fair one." 
 
 "If we can gain time Panda may come up," I whim- 
 
AT CAVITE. 85 
 
 pered, for I am free to confess that at this trying moment 
 I was a rank coward. 
 
 " There s little hope of that, and even if he should let 
 us see his brown face here, I m uncertain whether it 
 wouldn t be as an enemy. After what our sailors did 
 yesterday, an American should be ashamed to show the 
 white feather, however great the danger, so hold your 
 ground to the last minute." 
 
 I was not so terrified but that I could note a certain 
 change of expression on the face of the man directly in 
 front of me when Ray spoke the word " American," and 
 instantly the thought came that it might be possible to 
 make known who we were. Then I cried, at the full 
 strength of my lungs, repeating the words again and again : 
 
 "We are Americans ! Americans ! " 
 
 Ray meanwhile was warding off an attack, apparently 
 giving little heed to my shouts. 
 
 The foremost of the pursuing party was evidently bent 
 on making us yet closer prisoners, in order, most likely, 
 that we might be the more readily tortured, and had 
 dropped his long knife for the time being. 
 
 At such a game my brother could hold his own with 
 any ordinary Filipino, and right manfully was he doing 
 it, dealing a blow now and then with such vigour that 
 the villain was rapidly getting the worst of the battle. 
 Strange as it may seem, his discomfiture pleased those 
 who had gathered to have a share in our death. 
 
 Every one of them stood by watching the battle, and 
 my cries were no longer heeded. 
 
WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 " Look out for yourself ! " Ray shouted, when I had half 
 turned to aid him, if necessary. " You should be able to 
 do something of this kind if any of them come too near ! " 
 To my mind this was but prolonging the agony, and 
 by thus struggling we were affording amusement for the 
 savages, who at any moment might put an end to our 
 
 weak defence 
 by attacking us 
 with their 
 knives, when a 
 single thrust 
 would disable 
 one or both. 
 
 Therefore it 
 was I continued 
 to cry out that 
 we were Ameri 
 cans, regardless 
 of whether they 
 heeded me, and as I did so there came the hope that 
 the sailors from the war-vessel might soon come this way. 
 Surely a landing would be effected once it was under 
 stood that the Spanish forces had evacuated the place, 
 and even at this moment they might be on shore. 
 
 This much I said to Ray, hoping to cheer him who had 
 vainly been trying to cheer me, and he replied, panting 
 with the severe exertion of keeping the supple Filipino at 
 a proper distance : 
 
 " I can t hold out much longer, Ernest, and it isn t 
 
AT CAVITE. S/ 
 
 likely this murderer will be willing to play at such a game 
 a great while. Once his temper gets the best of him we 
 are done for ! " 
 
 If Ray was growing disheartened, surely the end was 
 near at hand, for I could not hope to make so brave a 
 showing, and once more I gave way to cowardice. 
 
 I thought of mother and of father, wondering if they 
 would ever learn how we had died, and as the tears came 
 into my eyes there was a prayer in my heart that we 
 might not live as long under the torture as had the old 
 man whose murder we had witnessed. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE PETREL. 
 
 A S we stood there, Ray battling manfully but nearly 
 ^~^ breathless because of the severe exertions, and I in 
 the last stages of despair, believing there was no hope our 
 lives might be spared, the thought came to me that if by 
 a sudden dash we could make our way to the waterside it 
 would be possible to attract the attention of those on 
 board the American war-vessel. 
 
 For a single instant this idea revived me, and then, 
 looking around upon that mass of brown faces which 
 surrounded us, for the crowd of spectators had rapidly 
 increased, I realised that fifty men would not be able to 
 force a passage through, therefore what could two lads 
 hope to effect ? 
 
 It was when the last vestige of hope was swept away 
 that almost unconsciously I raised my voice once more in 
 the cry : 
 
 " We are Americans ! Americans ! " 
 
 Amid the hum of voices and the laughter of those who 
 were enjoying this badgering of two boys before murder 
 ing them, I caught a cry in the distance which had a 
 friendly ring, and in the stupefaction of despair which was 
 
THE PETREL. 89 
 
 creeping over me I wondered why it should be, when all 
 were seeking our blood, that any would answer in such a 
 tone what I believed to be my last declaration. 
 
 Again was the cry repeated, and Ray, who, because of 
 his courage, was more keenly on the alert, shouted, as he 
 struck his antagonist a blow that would have sent him 
 headlong but for the throng in the rear : 
 
 " That was Panda who cried ! There may be a chance 
 for life yet, Ernest ! Take my place until I can get 
 breath ! " 
 
 His words had a marvellous effect. In an instant the 
 cowardice and despair had left me, and I thought no 
 longer that we were doomed ; but only of how I might 
 best get the advantage of that half-naked Filipino who 
 was striving to show his followers that he did not deem a 
 weapon necessary in order to overpower two lads like us. 
 
 Ray and I changed places in a twinkling, some of the 
 throng giving vent to cries of anger as if they saw in such 
 a move something savouring of foul play ; others cheered, 
 jabbering in such manner as caused me to believe they 
 were insisting that, while the odds were so strongly 
 against us, we should be allowed to carry on the battle in 
 whatsoever manner we pleased. 
 
 For a moment the fellow who had pitted himself so 
 unsuccessfully against Ray stood hesitating, breathing 
 heavily as if nearly winded, and for an instant I fancied 
 he was about to retire from the contest, or, perhaps, end 
 it quickly with the long knife which was held conveniently 
 at hand by one of the bystanders. 
 
90 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 Then those in the rear urged him on, as I judged from 
 the tone of the voices, and as he advanced, more warily 
 this time, understanding that the lad before him was fresh 
 for the fray, Ray took up the cry which I had been repeat 
 ing again and again, and immediately was it answered. 
 
 There could be no question now but that Panda was 
 coming with all speed to our relief, for his voice sounded 
 nearer than before ; but I had no opportunity to speculate 
 upon the matter, because the Filipino rushed toward me 
 savagely. 
 
 At boxing Ray is my superior, although younger, but 
 I knew enough regarding self-defence to hold my own 
 against a man who had most likely never fought save with 
 weapons in his hands, and I could do little more. 
 
 The fellow counted on putting an end to the battle 
 quickly by rushing in and seizing me, therefore was I 
 forced to exert all my strength and knowledge. 
 
 How long we thus fought at close quarters I know not ; 
 it seemed to me that ten minutes must have elapsed, 
 although probably not more than one-third of that time 
 was spent in warding off his savage rushes, and then, to 
 my intense relief, Panda, with a following of not less than 
 twenty, forced his way through the throng, making such a 
 diversion as caused the brute who counted on taking our 
 lives to fall back momentarily. 
 
 There was no longer any idea in my mind that Panda 
 was insolent, or disposed to take advantage of our help 
 lessness, for never before had I seen a face so friendly 
 certainly never one that was more welcome. 
 
THE PETREL. 91 
 
 Ray and I received no immediate benefit from the com 
 ing of this relief party, however, for during five minutes it 
 appeared as if we were in even greater danger than while 
 alone. 
 
 Those who had surrounded us were not inclined to give 
 way, evidently holding to it that our lives belonged to 
 them, and weapons were flourished in such reckless fashion 
 that it seemed as if blood would be spilled unwittingly, 
 because the people were pressed so closely together. 
 
 It was Panda s brother who acted as spokesman, and 
 Ray and I fancied he was telling these fiendish Filipinos 
 from the interior that we were Americans, and, conse 
 quently, friends ; but his appeals, if indeed such they were, 
 failed of success. 
 
 First one party would surge toward us, and then the 
 other, until finally, through skilful manoeuvring, we were 
 surrounded by Panda s following, and then our would-be 
 protectors grew more bold, massing themselves in a circle, 
 and by their gestures inviting an attack. 
 
 " Can t you make them understand who we are ? " I 
 asked of Panda, as he turned his head for an instant to 
 look at us. 
 
 " My brother has told them again and again ; but these 
 people are not Manilamen. They are half Malay, half 
 Chinamen, and see in every white face an enemy." 
 
 " Haven t the Americans landed yet ? " 
 
 " No ; they still remain on board their vessel, and the 
 city is being looted by the patriots. Cavite will be 
 destroyed unless your people come on shore soon." 
 
92 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 There was no time for further conversation. Panda s 
 brother had given the word to advance, and these brave 
 fellows, who were ready to protect us at the cost of their 
 lives, advanced step by step, still presenting to the 
 enemy a complete circle of steel, with Ray and myself 
 in the centre. 
 
 We moved forward no more than twelve inches 
 every minute; but yet it was progress, and once the 
 Malays were giving way it might be possible that we 
 could continue on until a place of safety was gained. 
 
 But where should we find such a place until after our 
 troops had landed ? 
 
 I hoped we were moving toward the water s edge, oppo 
 site where the Petrel lay ; yet I knew she was so far 
 toward the arsenal that a journey of such length, at the 
 snail s pace we were moving, would occupy many hours. 
 
 The street in advance and behind us appeared literally 
 choked with human beings ; but fortunately not all were 
 bent on our murder. Hundreds upon hundreds were 
 occupied with sacking the stores and the dwellings, and, 
 while giving no heed to such a trifling matter as the 
 slaughter of two lads, they unwittingly impeded our 
 progress by throwing household furniture and goods 
 into the street. 
 
 Before ten minutes had passed we were halted, abso 
 lutely unable to go farther because the throng in advance 
 was so dense it could not be forced back, and now it was 
 that I saw an expression of apprehension upon the faces 
 of those who guarded us. 
 
THE PETREL. 95 
 
 Panda s brother spoke sharply and hurriedly to his men, 
 and Ray said to me : 
 
 " We are coming to the end of this business very soon. 
 These fellows cannot hope to fight long against so many, 
 and the knowledge that others are getting much plunder 
 only serves to make our enemies the more eager to bring 
 the matter to a finish." 
 
 " We will make a stand in this house," Panda said, 
 turning his head ever so slightly toward us. " Be ready 
 to rush in as soon as we gain the door." 
 
 He motioned toward a small stone building, on the 
 threshold of which could be seen broken furniture and 
 articles of wearing apparel, showing that it had been 
 gutted by the mob, and although not such a place as one 
 would select for a fort, it looked wonderfully inviting to 
 us at the moment. 
 
 Our people, meaning those who were protecting Ray 
 and me, massed themselves yet more closely together for 
 a rush, and then at a signal struck out in every direction. 
 
 I saw half a dozen evil-looking faces smeared with 
 blood ; we heard cries of rage which told that the battle 
 would come to a speedy end unless the odds could be 
 made more nearly equal, and then came the rush, during 
 which Ray and I were literally shoved into the dwelling. 
 
 For the moment we were safe again, safe if we could 
 hold our position here until the Americans took possession 
 of the city, which I doubted not they would before many 
 hours elapsed. 
 
 In a twinkling the doors were closed, shutters fastened, 
 
96 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 and guards stationed at every point where an attempt at 
 forcing an entrance might be made. 
 
 Now we had a breathing spell, and it was needed, for 
 Panda s followers had been indulging in most severe 
 exercise. 
 
 The Filipino lad took no heed to his own comfort until 
 after making certain we were uninjured, and even then 
 seemed to consider it necessary to assure us again and 
 again that he was sorely grieved because we had been so 
 badly treated. 
 
 " Why did you leave us ? " Ray asked, speaking more 
 sharply than I believed to be necessary. 
 
 " To see the American vessels. We, all of us Manila- 
 men, believed the soldiers would come on shore at once, 
 and it was not in our minds that these miserable half- 
 breeds would attempt to destroy the city. Wait till 
 General Aguinaldo comes, and you shall see them 
 flogged." 
 
 " He, like our own people, seems to be a long while in 
 making his appearance. Cavite is likely to be laid in ashes 
 before the Americans take possession." 
 
 " It may be that the commander of the vessel has sent 
 to the fleet for orders," Panda suggested ; but this did not 
 seem to me probable, for, on knowing that the natives were 
 sacking the city, he would first set ashore troops to pro 
 tect it, and afterward learn what his superior officer 
 thought about the matter. 
 
 "How far from here is the American ship?" Ray 
 asked. 
 
THE PETREL. 97 
 
 " More than four miles." 
 
 I was astounded by this information, for Ray and I had 
 believed her to be close at hand. It no longer seemed 
 strange that a delay was made in the landing ; those on 
 board could not know how desperate was the situation 
 on shore. 
 
 Ray looked at his watch, believing it to be nearly night 
 fall, and again we were surprised. It lacked a quarter of 
 an hour of being ten o clock in the forenoon. 
 
 Only five hours since we began to approach the city ! 
 It was to me as if a full day had passed from the moment 
 when the first victim of this mad, purposeless rush was 
 killed. 
 
 I looked around the apartment in which we two lads had 
 taken refuge, leaving to the Filipinos the outer rooms 
 where they might keep watch over the mob, and here 
 could be seen evidences of that blind, unreasonable spirit 
 of destruction. 
 
 The furniture had been hacked and hewed with swords 
 until not one article remained whole ; rugs were slit into 
 ribbons, and even the hard wooden floor was dented and 
 scratched in such manner as told that one insane with pas 
 sion had spent both time and labour upon a task which 
 could have no results. It was a scene of wanton destruc 
 tion such as I do not believe could have been found any 
 where outside these islands, and well calculated to alarm 
 those in a position similar to that which we were in, for 
 it showed that murder would be done simply for the sake 
 of killing. 
 
98 WHEN DEWEY CAMP: TO MANILA. 
 
 Outside the mob yelled and raved, frenzied because we 
 two lads had for the moment escaped them, and at fre 
 quent intervals showers of missiles were sent against the 
 doors and windows, telling that those who thirsted for 
 blood were on the alert. 
 
 "Can Panda s friends hold this place?" Ray asked, 
 with a certain tremor in his voice which told that even 
 his courage was giving way under the strain. 
 
 The same question had been in my mind from the first 
 moment we sought refuge here, and now as the lad spoke 
 I remembered having seen, before the old man was put to 
 death, certain men tear out blocks of stone from such 
 buildings as showed signs of decay. This was clone 
 simply in the spirit of destruction ; but it was to me good 
 proof of what might be accomplished in case the howling 
 Malays persisted in their desire to kill us. 
 
 " It cannot be long now before troops are put ashore 
 from our vessel," I replied, giving words to the hope in 
 my mind. " Surely we can hold out here until nightfall, 
 and " 
 
 I stopped speaking very suddenly, for at that instant 
 there came a shock, as if the building had been struck by 
 some heavy object, and Panda ran into the room, his 
 face of that grayish hue which bespeaks terror in one of 
 a coloured skin. 
 
 "What is it?" Ray cried, seizing the Filipino by the 
 arm, and unconsciously I echoed the words. 
 
 "The miserable Malays are striving to destroy the 
 building. Two stones have been removed by force, and 
 
THE PETREL. 
 
 99 
 
 this moment a large portion of the corner wall fell 
 down." 
 
 He would have said more, but his brother summoned 
 him, and Ray and I, unable to remain where it was im 
 possible to see what might be done, followed him into 
 that apartment overlooking the street. 
 
 While we had remained in safety these Filipinos had 
 been battling for our lives, 
 as could be seen by the 
 blood which flowed from 
 more than one 
 wound. 
 
 I wondered 
 how it might be 
 that wounds 
 
 i 
 
 were received 
 when a wall of 
 stone separated 
 us from the en 
 emy, and would have approached one of the windows 
 in order to look out, but Panda s brother pulled me 
 back. 
 
 Surely he saved me from an ugly cut, if not from 
 death, for at that instant a knife, lashed to a long 
 length of bamboo, was thrust through an aperture in 
 the thin shell at the very point where I proposed to look 
 out. 
 
 The trampling as of many feet on the floor above, and 
 a cry of mingled anger and pain, caused me to look up at 
 
100 WHEA r DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 the ceiling as if expecting the enemy might appear from 
 that quarter. 
 
 " Our friends are up there trying to make payment for 
 some of the wounds we have received," Panda said, and, 
 seizing me by the arm as I turned to ascend the stairs, he 
 added, " It is not for you to join them ; the windows are 
 open, and the Malays must not see you for whom they 
 are seeking." 
 
 " We may as well show ourselves as stay here until 
 the house is torn down," Ray cried. " It is better to 
 do something: in our own defence than cower here in 
 
 O 
 
 idleness." 
 
 Another shock, and at one corner of the room appeared 
 an aperture in the outer wall through which a man 
 might have crawled. 
 
 If the enemy were allowed to work unmolested we must 
 soon be forced to flee to the chamber above, where death 
 would speedily follow. 
 
 Then came a great crash ; cries of pain ; a noise as of 
 scampering from the throng outside, and Panda cried, his 
 eyes all aflame with excitement : 
 
 "They have thrown out the bed-posts, and some of the 
 villains have been caught napping ! " 
 
 It seemed impossible for me to remain there in igno 
 rance of what was being done, and, shaking off the light 
 grasp which Panda had of my arm, I ran up-stairs, Ray 
 following close at my heels. 
 
 Now indeed could we see evidences of battle ; two of 
 the Filipinos lay in one corner of the room disabled ; at 
 
THE PETREL. IOI 
 
 least five others were covered with blood, and the floor 
 was strewn with stones, fragments of furniture, and even 
 knives, which had been flung in by the mob. 
 
 We had come at that moment when a slight advantage 
 had been gained, and, therefore, could approach the open 
 window with some degree of safety. 
 
 So far as could be seen in either direction, the streets 
 were literally packed with howling, yelling natives. The 
 work of sacking the city had been abandoned for the 
 moment in order that the villains might enjoy the sport 
 of unearthing two lads whom they probably believed to be 
 Spaniards. 
 
 Little chance for life would Ray and I have now if we 
 were in their midst. 
 
 It was terrible to look upon those brown-skinned men, 
 knowing that every one was eager to have a hand in the 
 spilling of our blood. 
 
 Panda had followed us, and now he pulled me back 
 when I would have lingered at the window. 
 
 The attack was about to be resumed ; the Malays were 
 drawing near the building once more, and our Manila- 
 men looked about for something more which would serve 
 as weapons. 
 
 The huge bedstead, such as is to be found in nearly 
 every house in Luzon, had been thrown out piecemeal, 
 and we had good reason to believe it was not destroyed 
 in vain. 
 
 The room was bare of furniture ; but there were many 
 rocks on the floor. 
 
102 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 These last our men gathered up, each getting one or 
 more, and, standing near the side of the window in such 
 manner as to shield their own bodies, they fired with 
 wonderful accuracy of aim upon those below. 
 
 I saw one of our defenders knock down three Malays 
 with as many stones, each of which could not have 
 weighed less than ten pounds, and yet the mob was 
 not checked. 
 
 What was the disabling of three men, when a thousand 
 were pressing forward to the attack ? 
 
 " However bravely these Manilamen may fight, there 
 can be but one ending to such a battle," Ray said, 
 despondently. "In less than an hour the building will 
 be in possession of those fiends, and we shall have left 
 this world ! " 
 
 Now it was my turn to cheer him, even as he had 
 cheered me when my courage failed. 
 
 Flinging my arm around his neck, I forced him to the 
 floor below, saying, as we descended the stairs : 
 
 " The American troops will have landed before those 
 fellows can tear this house down. It must soon be known 
 to the commander of the Petrel that the city is in the 
 hands of a mob, and he will take speedy steps to save it." 
 
 " Perhaps he has no troops, but must send back to 
 Manila for men," Ray replied, despondently, and at this 
 suggestion, which seemed most reasonable, I very nearly 
 lost heart again should have done so, in fact, but for 
 the necessity of cheering my brother. 
 
 There was nothing in the room on the ground-floor to 
 
THE PETREL. 
 
 I0 5 
 
 revive our spirits. The corner of the building had been 
 torn away yet further, until now it was possible to look 
 into the street through the aperture, and I could see 
 more than one of the Malays stooping low in order to 
 fling a knife after the fashion of a spear. 
 
 There was an expression of fear on the face of Panda s 
 brother, and I knew he had begun to despair of holding 
 the enemy in check much longer. 
 
 The Manilamen no longer sought an opportunity to 
 strike effective blows, but crouched against the wall, 
 beyond range of the opening. 
 
 They had lost heart, and were nerving themselves for 
 the death which would come to them because of having 
 dared shield two white lads from harm. 
 
 It seemed, indeed, as if the supreme moment had 
 arrived, and I threw my arms around Ray s neck once 
 more, hugging him close in what I believed to be a 
 last embrace, when suddenly the cries of anger from 
 without were changed to shouts of fear and surprise. 
 
 There was no longer any attempt to pull away the 
 wall ; no more rocks were thrown in through the open 
 windows above. Instead, the throng took to their heels, 
 and before one could have counted fifty the streets were 
 cleared as if by magic. 
 
 " They have found a victim that can be come at with 
 less labour," I said, despondently, and then I pricked up 
 my ears as a great hope, a great joy and relief came into 
 my heart, causing the blood to bound through every vein. 
 
 From the distance, and yet not so far away but that we 
 
106 WHEN DEWEY CAME TO MANILA. 
 
 could distinguish the tramp, tramp of many feet, came 
 the beat of a drum, the shrill notes of a fife, and this is 
 the "tune we two lads, who had believed ourselves face to 
 face with death, heard in the city of Cavite, as we stood 
 within the half-ruined house gripping each other s hands : 
 
 Yankee Doodle came to town 
 
 Riding on a pony ; 
 He stuck a feauier in his hat 
 And called it macaroni ! " 
 
 Never before had I thought there was anything very 
 beautiful in that song ; but now it seemed the sweetest I 
 ever heard, and since then it amuses me as can no other 
 combination of notes. 
 
 Singing at the full strength of our lungs, what was at 
 the same time a song of triumph and of thanksgiving, 
 Ray and I flung open the door, for the Filipinos had 
 begun to unbar it instantly the shrill notes of the fife 
 were heard, marching into the street, with the Manilamen 
 at our heels, to meet our countrymen. 
 
 I wish it might be possible for me to set down all that 
 followed after we made ourselves known ; but it cannot be 
 done, and for the good reason that neither Ray nor I 
 have any very clear idea of anything until we found 
 ourselves on the deck of the Petrel, explaining to Com 
 mander Lamberton how we two Yankee lads chanced to 
 be in Cavite. 
 
 Within forty-eight hours we were with our parents 
 again, and there is no need for me to set forth at any 
 very great length our joy at meeting them once more. 
 
THE PETREL. 1O/ 
 
 As is well known, Manila did not surrender for some 
 time after the city of Cavite was taken possession of by 
 our forces, and if it should chance that this poor story of 
 mine is ever printed, I shall request permission to try my 
 hand at story-writing again, in order to set down the part 
 Ray and I played in the capitulation of the port, for we 
 had no mean adventure in the island of Luzon after the 
 rescue of Cavite, as is known already to very many. 
 
 At present it is sufficient to say that we were present 
 when the Spanish forces finally capitulated, and we met 
 Aguinaldo face to face many times more than was really 
 agreeable ; but all this occurred after we had our experi 
 ence among the Filipinos, when Dewey came to Cavite, 
 therefore it is not anything which can properly be set 
 down here. 
 
 THE END. 
 


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