THE CEBU REBELS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 184, 6 August 1898, Page 5

THE CEBU REBELS.

THRILLING ADVENTURE OF AN

AMERICAN.

POET TOWNSEND (Wash.), June 29. —A Japanese newspaper contains an account of the adventures with rebels and Spaniards of Mr Vincent, an American superintending a petroleum well on the Island of Cebu. Vincent was taken captive by the rebels and taken to their headquarters on the outskirts of Cebu, where he was condemned to death. While awaitino- executien a Spanish war vessel steamed into the harbour and commenced to bombard the place. The insurgents speedily decamped, leaving their prisoner 111 the room. Shell after shell came crashing through the walls, carrying away most of the building. When the bombardment ceased a large number of rebels returned, having the blood-stained upper half of a priest's head in a basket, 'lhe head was placed on a table and Vincent was given to understand he would soon fare a similar fate He was surrounded by rebels with drawn knives. Before the command of execution was given he succeeded in. making them understand he was American and not a Spaniard. The chief ordered his life spared. _ In the meantime the Spanish soldiers attacked the place from the rear, and the rebels attempted to escape. The Spanish forces rounded together some 200 natives, many of whom were young boys, and were indulging in an indiscriminate slaughter. Ignorant at the time of what was transpirin"- within a few score yards of him. Vincent could hear the cries and prayers of the helpless natives amid the roar of musketry. After a while the fire slackened and all was quiet except a few occasional shots which sounded the death knell of those among the natives who had escaped the volley poured into their midst. About eight o'clock the next morning Vincent crept out of the ruined building and succeeded in getting aboard of the British steamer Gulf of Martaban, which had a nnmber of Philippine refugees bound for Singapore.