DEATH OF GENERAL LAWTON.
After the battle of Baler, Marie and a few native soldiers hastened
westward in advance of the prisoners, to San Isidro to notify Aguinaldo
who had moved his headquarters to that place, that the Americans were
advancing northward in great numbers and that nothing could impede
their progress. This information had previously been conveyed to the
Filipino general from other sources, so that Marie found him in his
so-called congress packed up and ready to move,--a thing they were
forced to do a few days after the American prisoners arrived. She
accompanied them for several long, tedious months, acting as cook for
the expedition and serving in other capacities--none of them seeming
to her to be ample reward for all she had done.
Early in the coming fall, Marie, tired of Aguinaldo's game of
hide-and-go-seek, and anxious to find out about her mother and to get
into more fighting, if there be a chance, made her way back to Manila.
But her conscience bothered her. She remembered that broken oath and
many other acts of wanton treachery that would shock the civilized
world. She feared that her own life would soon be sought either by
the Americans or by the Filipinos. Accordingly she suggested to her
mother that they again go to her aunt's in the little town of Angono
at the north end of Lake Laguna de Bay, where she had left her mother
stationed when last they had parted. Her mother, growing old and
nervous through accumulated years, past grievances, hard work and the
strain of the present conflict, favored the plan; and so they departed
on December 2nd, taking the same road over McLeod's Hill and on down
over the Santa Mesa bridge that they had traveled on February 4th.
Before leaving Manila she learned through the private Filipino Junta
which was secretly assisting in the war by accumulating funds for
its prosecution and by distributing among the native troops the
inflammatory literature which was being promiscuously sent out by
the people in the United States who opposed the war, that a secret
reward of $10,000. had been offered for the death of General Lawton.
About the middle of December, 1899, the General had returned to
Manila from another telling campaign northward, when he learned that
the Filipinos were assembling in large numbers under one of their
fearless leaders, General Geronemo, on the San Mateo river, but a
few miles out of Manila, for the purpose of making one more attempt
to break through the American lines guarding that city.
On December 17, Marie heard that another attack was to be made on
Manila, so she left her mother at Angono and made her way to the
Filipinos' camp along the San Mateo river, only a few miles south of
where she had crossed it at the rapids the morning after she had been
liberated under oath by Major Allison.
The next day, she was in secret consultation with Geronemo, and she
disclosed to him all the information she had concerning the defenses
of Manila.
That evening, Filipino scouts, dressed in female attire, brought to
General Geronemo the news that the Americans, under General Lawton,
who was supposed to be away up in the northern part of Luzon, had
anticipated his movements and were assembling in the woods on the
opposite side of the valley in large numbers, possibly for a night
attack.
Marie told Geronemo what she had learned while in Manila concerning
the reward that had been secretly offered for the killing of General
Lawton. He knew all about it and confirmed the offer. She told him all
about her training as a marksman with the Spanish on Corregidor island
and of her subsequent experience, and said she knew General Lawton
well; that she could single him out, and in case he led his troops,
as he usually did in battle, she was sure she could capture the prize.
A place of unusual safety and concealment was selected along the
Filipinos' lines, directly in front of the center of the probable point
of attack by the Americans, for Marie, and for a Filipino lieutenant
and a corporal, both of whom were also good shots.
Geronemo had instructed them that Marie was to have the first three
shots at the general, in case he appeared on the scene of battle. If
she failed to hit him, the lieutenant was then to try it. After he
had taken three shots, if he, too, failed, the corporal was to be
given a chance.
The next morning, December 19, the American line of battle came out
of the woods on the opposite side of the valley, ready to charge on
the Filipinos' position. The morning was bright and clear, so that
General Lawton, with his tall figure, resplendent uniform and large
white helmet, could easily be discerned by the entire Filipino command.
"I'll fix him," whispered Marie, "just wait till the firing begins,
so that I can shoot without attracting attention to our position."
In a moment, the Filipinos opened fire on the Americans all along
the line. The latter sought cover. General Lawton remained erect. He
made an ideal target. Marie took careful aim. "Bang!" went her rifle,
and at that very moment this peerless leader of men, this hero of
several wars, was shot through the heart and fell dead in the arms
of his aide. His only words were, "I'm shot."
"See that! What did I tell you?" snapped out Marie, "I told you I'd
get him! Now for my dinero." (money).
The Americans were so angered because of the sudden death of their
beloved commander that they made a mad rush forward, without orders,
and swept the Filipino army from the field.
Marie returned to Manila where she claimed the reward for having shot
the general. The lieutenant who was with her claimed that he did it,
and by promising half of the bounty to the corporal for swearing to
the lie, he proved it. Meager reports of the affair state that only
$7000 of the money was actually paid over. Like Aguinaldo who crept
into a cave northwest of Manila and sold out his country during the
insurrection of 1896, and then could not collect his fee, so Marie,
too, found herself deprived of the compensation for her bloody deed.