For Love and Glory.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8185, 17 July 1906, Page 2

For Love and Glory.

OBAPrBR XXXl.—Oootinued. Like a ware of light something of the*truth began to dawn upon his intellect. •He knew the man with whom he had to deal—knew his fearless nature, and his yenming to accomplish feats that were beyond most people. , * Aguinaldo was there, 'he one man whose liberty kept the flames of rebellion alive, and whose capture meant speedy peace to the harrassed ialaud possessions of the American Republic. He remembered the droam of the major when they started upon that unlooky night expedition—some euoh hope was in his heart a longing for glory and promotion if he only could eucoeed in bagging big game. Now he realised why Funston had aopearod so deeply interested in the relation of that episode and showed actual relief when it* fareioal euding was told:

' Aguinaldo the thorn in the flesh must be removed before the wounds could heal.

And Fted Funaton figured on being the army surgeon to perform the delicate operation.

"Ah" said Kadcliff j his eyes glistening, "I begin to smell a rat What was impossible for mo you make light of. You will not admit that the path to Palauan, even though it lead through hostile camps and an'untrudden wilderness, where a white man takes his life in his hand—all this does not in the least dismay'you general." Then Fnnston smiled.

"Circumstances alter cases. It is duty with me; I'm a suldier, and there 'is honour and glory awaiting me there." ■■ "Well, there's a wife awaiting me. You know what that means, what you would risk loc the the one you love. You may capture Godiago, but I can take none of the glory unless there. Let me be one of the party, general?" eageily. "Impossible."

"Why?' "They are all selected. We leave within twenty-four hours. All my associates ire military men." There was a trace of weakness abaut his voice, as though be hated to refusp, and Armand was quiok to seize upon it. "But you don't doubt my courage or discretion?" he argued, insinuatingly. "I should say rot when you have been figuring on taking the same chances without half the hope of success I possess." "Then let McGregor and I go—let ua be camp followers, anything in the world so that we may be there when you rush the headquarters of Aguinaldo. Godaigo belongs to me alone. Surely, you will have a force with you in this undertaking —fighting men to back you up?" "That is true—a band of Macabele scouts, under the former Filipino colonel, Hilario Placido, who has taken the oath of allegiance to America. They will be disguised as Filipino soldiers yon know." * Well, I've served as such with more or less distinction the other night. It is possible, general, for McGregor and I' to enter among these scouts, to live with them while on the road, and our identity remain unknown even to your fellow officers."

"Would you even undertake suoh a life?" asued Funaton, overwhelmed.

"Gladly, and deem it a favour" eagerly. "Miss Tessie is to be oougratu lated." "Then you consent?"

"Bring JMoGregor here to-night, and we'll talk it over. By Jove! it's a hard to refuse a ! brave man and an old friend I esteem as much as I do you, Kadoliffe. Yob, I think you may 20 with us, if you're willing to change your colour and do the Macabele act for a w«ek. And, my dear fellow, from my heart I wish you sucoess. A good wife is worth all she coats, and the dearer she comes the more men appreciate her. Not a word to'a soul but McGregor. Are you off? Well, here's lack to you in love and war."

CHAPTER XXXII FOR THE GOOD OP THE CAUSE. Armand was deeply impressed with the immensity of the daring plan by means of which the fearless Kansan hoped lo strike a finishing blow at the stubborn resistance offered toAmerioan authority in the peninsula. Few men would have conceived such a bold project, and ventured to risk life and liberty in carrying it into execution. There are some good souls, however, who glory in taking great odds ever eager to assume the gravest risks, provided the object to be attained is worthy of such effort, for these sterl'ng characters must not be confounded with such reckless adventurers ready to cast the die for the mere glory that is in it. No one has ever suspected General Funston of being connected with such a swashbuckler tribe; if he awam a river where insurgent bullets churned the water into foam, or crawled across a burning bridge that threatened to give way at any mo, ment, it was done for the purpose of showing hiamen that there could be no place where the} were expected to go that be was afraid to lead, ani also to demoralize the enemy, bringing victory closer. Thus he had already become the idol of every fighting man in the army, and there were feW Who would not have considered it an honour to have him for a leader, for where Funston was, there action could be found, and this was what the boys -wanted, what they came these thousands of miles to find. Kadoliffe obtained the best map

By St. George Rathborne. Author of "Dr. Jack," " The Witch from, Trdia,'- " Captain Tom," "Mynheer Joe," " Dr. J acids' Wife, fi <tr.. etc.

of Luzon he could purchase in a bookstore.

The eld Spanish ones were very unreliable, but he was fortunate enough, having been directed by the general, to find a modern American chart. This he studied carefully.

It was easy to find Palauan, and he smiled as he saw the wilderness between that place and Dagupan on the west coast—many miles of mountains and swamps, doubtless the abode of savage tribes, who would aever let him pass unmolested. Only a large, well-armed escort might safely venture upon such n project, and as secrecy would, therefore, be out of the question long before they drew near Aguinnldo's headquarters, the shrewd Fili.pino fox would have decamped, wich his entire retinue, including Godiago Takanori. Yes, the general's plan was the only one that promised sucoess, and, Heaven knew there was risk enough at the best.

In the first place the plau had to be made known to several score of Macabele scouts, who, under the reformed rebel officers, were tu play the part of fierce insurgents on the way to reinforce the chief. Among them might be a traitor; they bad taken the oath of allegiance to Uncle Sam, but, after all, human flesh is weak, and an ambusoade might be laid for the party. The Ave American; officers who were to aooompany the expedition were to plaoe themselves in readiness unreservedly in the hands of these Macabeles, and appear as their prisoners until the proper time to strike came.

It was, indeed, an ingenious, as well as bold, plan, and as Armand realized its very audaoity might bring about success, for surely no one would suspect the Americans were capable of such a brilliant exploit; the Spaniards had never attempted a move save en masse, and naturally the Tagalogs were accustomed to judging all foreigners by their standard.' ( Then he buttonholes the McGregor, and took him off to his den. There never es a. more surprised man on the face of the earth than the big, freckle-faced son of old Scotia when he heard the story as it fell from the lips of his friend. Bis face lighted with'lbat glow of battle so oharacteristio of his fearless race—that has immortalized the Gordon Highlanders upon many a bloody field—the Crimea, on Egypt along the Afghan border and upon the Kopjes and valleys in South Africa.

"I'll never forget it my dear boy. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I don't know when I've felt so genuinely happy before. I know the general, and it's prona 1 am of the privilege to become a member of his party, however obscure. I'm ready to sacrifice my good lookß any day for suoh a ohai'ce. Tell him I accept; that I have stalked deer in Scotland, and can make an ideal Tagalog."

"The only conditions imposed are that you and I must not utt«r a word above a whisper after we land from the Vicksburg at Casiguran. Hostile ears might take alarm if by chance they heard a supposed Tagalog soldier rattling off your broad Scotch dialect. Imagine the excitement, Gordie." "Hoot awa', mon! I give ye me solemn promise that may I be choked on to« spot if I utter ane syllable abovb a whisper. But tell me, do we leave the breeks behind and go bareleggede, like some of the rebels I've seen?"

Armand laughed at the conceit. "Heaven foroid! You and I conic never stand the thorns and the brambles. We drees as soldiers of the insurgent army—any old garwere ono white, with a straw hat. The most important thing will be to stain our skin. The general has a plan. Wait until we see him."

"It's a bouuy scheme, and l don't one but a Yankee would have conceived it. Yes, it's a great peety ttfey havn't a Funston over in South Africa to lasso De Wet and Botha. That would end the war in a hurry. I fear we are quite too slow as a nation, and that our day as world leader is gone. Aweel, it's unco' pleasant ' to know that when we yield the palm it will be to the other branch of the English -speaking race, our American oousins."

"Mao, you're a philosopher," observed Armand, slapping the big fellow heartily on the back. "De'il a bit of. it. Ive simply common sense enough to recognize destiny. We've done our part, and a noble Dart it has been, in ceevilising the waste places of the earth. The business has grown beyond us, and we gladly welcome an assisting hand. Shoulder +.O shoulder, then let us hope Americans and Britons will always be found when their oauße is just."

"Amen," said Kadoliffe, solemnly, for he knew the other meant every word he spoke. : At the proper time he took Mc-, Gregor to have an interview with the general. The latter explained all that was necessary for them to know. (To be continued).