AROUND THE ISLAND ON A WAR-SHIP--BOMBARDING A FILIPINO TOWN.
IT was early one morning that Bill Hickson and Archie went aboard the
flag-ship, but all hands were on duty there, and the gallant cruiser was
raising anchor preparatory to sailing off on her errand of pacification
by means of shell and shot, The two newcomers were assigned a pleasant
stateroom where they would not be far from the cabin of the admiral
himself, and where they could step out of their door upon the
quarter-deck, and get all the fresh air they needed. It was a very
comfortable place, with two soft bunks, and every convenience usually
found aboard the fastest ocean liner. When the fellows saw it first,
they could hardly believe it could all be for them, but the officer
assured them that it had been given them by the admiral’s own orders. So
there was nothing for them to do but accept the kindness, and to settle
themselves down to having just as pleasant a time as possible during the
coming weeks at sea.
It was generally understood that the cruiser was to make a complete tour
around the island of Luzon, investigating every suspicious port, and
shelling towns when such action proved necessary to convince the rebels
of Uncle Sam’s superiority. The voyage was expected to occupy nearly a
month, for there was no reason for them to hurry, and the admiral said
he would like to take things easy.
Neither Hickson nor Archie had ever before been aboard a war-ship, and
they both found much to interest them during the first few days at
sea. Every movement of the crew, every action of the ship, was of great
moment to them, and they found no lack of entertainment in examining the
great guns and the equipment of the vessel in the way of firearms
and ammunition. Archie became much interested, too, in the science of
navigation, and spent much time with the captain on the bridge, or with
the pilot in the lookout, learning as much as possible about how the
movement of the vessel is controlled. Before long he had mastered the
rudiments of the art, and the captain told him that he might some day
make an excellent navigator if he continued to take as much interest in
the charts as he did now. And Archie told him that he was determined to
master as much as possible of the business during the voyage. Before he
returned to Manila he knew more about it all than even the captain would
believe he knew, and the knowledge was very valuable to him in days to
come.
The two visitors aboard took their meals at the officers’ table, and
they kept the whole party interested for many days, with their stories
of the war in Luzon and of their very unusual adventures both at home
and in the Philippines. For it turned out that Bill Hickson had visited
almost every part of the United States, and had lived in all sorts of
places. He had been a cowboy in Texas, and a miner in the Klondike, and
he had also been a policeman in Chicago. He knew more stories to tell
than any other man at the table could think of, and he told them in a
way that was wholly charming.
Archie found that every one was very much interested in hearing about
his leaving home, and how he had happened to become a reporter on the
New York Enterprise. No one seemed to tire of listening to his stories
of his adventures in the great American city, and many of the officers
told him that they would give a good deal to have had his experiences in
life.
And so it wasn’t long until the two chums were friendly with all on
board, and after awhile things went along as though Archie and Bill had
never lived elsewhere than aboard ship. There was nothing exciting for
nearly a week. The cruiser steamed slowly along the shore, sometimes
stopping entirely, while the officers levelled their glasses upon the
beach, to see whether there were any signs of the rebels being there.
Sometimes, if things looked suspicious, parties were sent ashore to
reconnoitre, but they seldom returned with news that would encourage
the admiral to investigate further. The days passed quietly, and the
two convalescents enjoyed themselves well enough. They were both much
improved already by the trip, and felt almost as well as ever. They
each had a steamer chair, and hour after hour they sat upon the deck and
watched the ever-changing panorama of the tropical shore. Now the beach
would descend slowly to the sea, and there would be numerous palm-trees
and luxuriant vegetation growing close within view, but again there
would be steep clips, which looked menacing to a ship in the dark. But
it was all beautiful, cliffs or sandy beach, and Archie thought he had
seldom passed such a wholly delightful week.
But, of course, it all became monotonous in time, and every one, even
the officers, longed for a change. The reconnoitring parties were sent
out more frequently now, and every one hoped each time that they would
return with news of the rebels, but they were always disappointed. The
admiral now determined to steam ahead more rapidly, so that they might
get around the western end of the island. It was evident that there were
no insurgents along this shore, and as there were no villages of any
consequence, either, he was anxious to reach the southern shore, where
it was known the rebels had recently been gathering. The towns, too,
were very numerous here on account of the excellent fishing, and it was
hoped that some good work might be accomplished for Uncle Sam before
another week passed.
Subsequent events soon proved the wisdom of the admiral’s plan. The
cruiser, it seemed, had no sooner rounded the western point than signs
were visible of rebel activity ashore. It was one Tuesday morning that
a village was sighted, built around a narrow inlet of the sea. When the
binoculars were levelled upon this harmless-appearing settlement, it was
soon perceived by the admiral that there were soldiers in the streets
with the rebel uniform, and that the insurgent flag was flying from the
administration building in the village square. All this was just what
had been expected, and there was great rejoicing aboard the cruiser.
Every man, without exception, almost, was anxious to be one of a party
to be sent ashore to attack the rebels, but the admiral hesitated before
sending any one at all. “It is impossible to tell from here,” he said,
“how numerous the rebels are, and it is quite possible that they may
have a large force of men in the village. If the appearance of the
streets is any sign, there must be quite a force of them in the place.”
But every one laughed at the very idea of there being a rebel company of
any consequence in the place, and the admiral was finally prevailed upon
to send a boat ashore, armed with thirty men.
“Remember,” he said, “if you come to grief, that I advised against this
venture. Don’t be too bold, or risk too much, for though I can shell the
place, that won’t help you any, once you are captives.”
But every one was anxious to be one of the party in the boat, and the
officers had a hard time making selections. “You can go, Archie, because
you’re a correspondent,” said the captain, “and you can go, Mr. Hickson,
because you’re a brave man,” and then he continued to pick out men until
the required number was secured. Of course there were many disappointed
ones left aboard the cruiser, but the captain assured them that they
might have their chance yet.
The boat was soon off, and it was noticed that there was great
excitement ashore as soon as the departure was observed. All the
inhabitants, it seemed, were gathered upon the beach, anxiously awaiting
developments. They seemed to be absolutely ignorant of what the presence
of a war-ship in their harbour meant, and were apparently not at all
anxious as to the outcome of this visit. One of the men told Archie that
they had probably never seen a war-ship before, and that they wouldn’t
know a cannon at all. “But we’ll let them know the meaning of our
presence,” declared the sailor, “if they shoot at us.” The boat drew
every minute nearer the shore, and it was soon perceived that there
were many soldiers among the crowd on the beach. Every one thought it
remarkable that they should be so quiet, but not one of the natives made
a move until the boat was within two hundred feet of the shore. Then one
of the rebel soldiers suddenly raised his rifle and fired at the boat.
The lieutenant in command stood up in the boat and gave the order to
return the fire, and a perfect volley of shot was poured into the crowd,
which immediately scattered in every direction. The rebel soldiers,
however, seemed determined to stand their ground, and they were so
numerous, and kept up such a steady fire, that it was deemed best to
return to the cruiser, which was signalling for this action on their
part. So the boat was turned about as quickly as possible, and
the sailors pulled for the cruiser, amid the derisive yells of the
Filipinos, who had gathered again upon the beach. The rebel soldiers
continued their firing, but were such poor marksmen that but three of
their shots took effect. One sailor was shot in the arm, another in the
side, and still another was shot in the leg as he stood up to take aim
at the rebels. None of these wounds, it was afterward discovered, were
at all serious, though they were enough to arouse the anger of the
entire crew.
When the boat reached the cruiser again, preparations were at once begun
for bombarding the town. The natives still stood upon the shore, and it
could be seen that they were immensely proud of their present victory.
It was amusing, then, to see the change in their behaviour when the
great six-inch gun of the cruiser belched forth a cloud of fire and
smoke, and a burning shell landed in the village street, apparently just
in front of the administration building, which was soon afire. The poor
natives fled in every direction, and the rebel soldiers followed their
noble example, and took to their heels, too. Another shell followed
the first, and soon several buildings were burning in the village. The
admiral watched developments carefully, and finally he decided that they
would be glad to surrender the village if another boat was sent ashore.
Accordingly, the same boat started out again, with three new men in
place of those who were wounded, and for sake of effect the cruiser
steamed farther in toward shore. This time there were no crowds upon the
beach, and the thirty men marched to the burning buildings, where the
natives fell before them, begging for mercy. The soldiers were nowhere
to be seen, so the crew took possession of the town and slept there, in
company with thirty more sailors, that night.