CHAPTER FIVE
Suddenly the Filipino Goddess Bamboo places a pistol in the hands of a young Freedom Fighter. This Freedom Fighter is one who will be trained by her rather than Emilio Aguinaldo nevertheless. And as she places the pistol in the hands of the Freedom Fighter she makes some suggestions to a group of younger Filipino Freedom Fighters, who are devoted to the cause nonetheless.
Right away, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo says to the young Freedom Fighter, “Now hold the pistol like this with both hands and then aim straight ahead while looking through the peep shot. And don’t miss because we have our freedom at stake.”
Then she gets behind the young Freedom Fighter as she helps him aim from behind as she puts her finger over his and pulls the trigger, “Bang!”
The bullet hit a metal or tin can of food that was already emptied and eaten earlier and now used for target practice. And moments later she turns his bodied around quickly towards another target which happens to be a Rough Rider dummy with a funky Rough Rider hat on. And quickly she forces his finger to pull the trigger again.
The bullet hits the Rough Rider hat right square where a sword insignia or emblem was hand drawn by the Filipino Goddess Bamboo as the gun cracks a loud, “Bang!”
Next the Filipino Goddess Bamboo takes the gun while saying, “And never give in to these trespassers neither!”
Immediately she places the pistol behind her back tucked away in her clothes as she takes a bowl and approaches the Rough Rider dummy with starvation. Then she holds the bowl with one hand while putting the fingers of her other hand to her mouth like she wants food and is starving.
She continues approaching the Rough Rider dummy and then hurriedly reaches behind her back and pulls the pistol out and shoots the Rough Rider dummy once again in the head. Afterwards she lifts the gun to her mouth like she is a western hot shot and blows the smoke away from the barrel of the pistol.
After making that such action with the pistol, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo turns to all of the little young Freedom Fighters of her own and says, “And then what do you do?”
Right away, one of the little young Freedom Fighter pulls out a six inch bladed knife and then the rest of them all follow suit. Immediately they all run for the Rough Rider dummy and maul it over with their stabs, kicks, and tearing it apart. And then one by one they all leave to get their pistols from another little young Freedom Fighter who has many cargo boxes loaded with contraband.
Following their receiving their weapons, every one of the little young Freedom Fighters all line up to receive their ammunitions such as the bullets. They also line up to receive some of their prize possessions such as given them the created image of being a starving child of the Philippines. In the meantime, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo watches with pride, although she realizes that she needs to round up even more men as well as children nonetheless.
Soon they are all loading their pistols with the bullets arming themselves with some type of armament. Now they all seem to gather around grabbing some other supplies such as some food and medical supplies like bandages to stash out somewhere in the hidden jungle of the Philippines.
Finally they all line up and prepare to leave as they give their last regards and solemn sworn oath of devotion to not only the Filipino Goddess Bamboo and, of course, Emilio Aguinaldo, but to the islands of the Philippines. The Filipino Goddess Bamboo stands there watching and praising them all with her last feelings before releasing them to their cause of saving their freedoms of living nevertheless.
However they are all getting eager to get out there and show what they are made of through the trickery and deceit that they had been taught by their elders. And they are ready to risk their lives in order to save their ways of life and as well their culture. Soon all of the little young Freedom Fighters have gathered their supplies and what they need in order to move on to their line of tactics.
Now the Filipino Goddess Bamboo stares them all down as they all stare her back before turning the other way to leave. Next she looks in to the direction of Manila Bay while pointing her evil finger off in that direction. She continues doing this act continually without any taking her concentration away. It is almost as though she were calling some sprits of the underworld to do and perform her abiding motivations and actions perhaps.
However when the little young Freedom Fighters leave they are all gathered together in smaller bands of three to five members in each group. They are splitting up so that they are more accessible to covering more ground while being less noticeable in addition to a larger group on the other hand. They will also be harder to stop and more damage will be toiled as they encounter the Rough Riders as beggars and starving children of the Philippine Islands. .
Moments later, the little young Freedom Fighters have all scattered off in other directions heading towards the lines of Manila Bay. The Philippines have cleared everything as far as men, woman, and civilians are concerned as any armaments and artillery, although the rest of the island still has some natives and islanders waiting.
Once they are all gone and have left, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo turns back to her Filipino style grass hut that is her hiding place and refuge. She begins going through her bags of belongings even though she keeps most of her essentials packed and ready for a quick departure if need be on a whim of a notice.
However one of her bags has something in there that isn’t clothes as she speaks to it saying, “And I have a special job for you later!”
And then the head of a Burmese Python that she has trained for a very long time as the snake slithers as she adds while pulling out the tale of a large rat from another bag, “But first, it is time to eat!”
Soon back at the camp headquarters at Manila Bay, the Warships have all come in to the docks as fast as they possible could without trouble. And another fact is that the Rough Riders as infantry men are now departing the Warships and other carrier ship vessels that have brought them all here.
The first one the Colonel Leonard Wood takes notice of as soon as she departs the Warships is the Rough Rider Nurse Shooter. He immediately approaches her with his plans of where to set up her emergency tent for the injured soldiers. However it will have to be moved quickly from time to time as the battle line move further inland.
Once the Colonel Leonard Wood approaches the Rough Rider Nurse Shooter, he commands steadily, “Shooter; here are the plans of where to set the medical tent and supplies up at. And it will be moved from time to time as the battle line progressed further inland!”
And as the Rough Rider Nurse Shooter looks at the plans of the Rough Rider camp and its set up as well as the medical tent, Shooter makes a comment saying, “Right next to Lieutenant Wright’s tent?”
Immediately, Colonel Leonard Wood answers back swiftly saying, “Yes, your medical tent will be stationed right next Lieutenant Wright’s camp ground command post!”
And after hearing that reply and instruction on the plans of setting up the Rough Rider camp’s medical tent, the Rough Rider Nurse Shooter says, “Well, hopefully we won’t have to use it, I hope!”
After hearing that comment, the Colonel Leonard Wood says, “Hopefully we won’t have to use it on any injured Rough Rider soldiers!”
Meanwhile Emilio Aguinaldo is talking to one of the Freedom Fighters when one of his spies arrives back from viewing the scene as Emilio Aguinaldo asks, “What’s the latest news with the arrival of the U.S. Naval Fleets?”
The Freedom Fighter Spy can only explain what was seen considering that they don’t have any infiltrators as he says, “The news is that the U.S. Naval Fleets have made their way on to the grounds of Manila Bay, sir!”
Right after hearing that Emilio Aguinaldo can only say, “Well, it will be a while before they reach the trenches and work their Rough Rider Troops way inland!”
Next the Freedom Fighter Spy adds some more information about what was seen as he says, “Sir, they are barricading the edge of the shipyards as we speak and moving in their forces quickly!”
By now, Emilio Aguinaldo has some pressure coming over him as he thinks about the arts of war deliberating, “It’s time that we give them a fight!”
At this time, the Freedom Fighter has some more to say as he canters, “With all due respect, sir!”
Lastly, Emilio Aguinaldo thinks about the hard work that has been labored in preparation for the arrival of the U.S. Naval Fleets as they bring troops and equipment saying, “And the trenches like the ones at the island of Samar are now nearly complete!”
In the meantime, the Freedom Fighter Spy continues on explaining as he makes a comment about his memoirs of things on their checklist, “And the kids have been prepared as well and are ready to start up their skirmishes with the U.S. Naval Forces as beggars and starving children, sir!”
At this time, Emilio Aguinaldo turns away from the trenches of his handy work as he reckons to say, “I think all of the Philippine natives will be acting like beggars and starving home landers!”
And back at the Official Post Colonel Leonard Wood is still conducting his supervisions over the many Rough Rider soldiers settling in. The Rough Rider camps are getting full very fast and there is only one more thing to do nonetheless. And that is to bring their horses on land, although the Philippine Islands are filled with much jungle like vegetation making it hard to ride anyways.
Meanwhile Colonel Leonard Wood looks to Lieutenant Wright who is setting up his command tent for the Rough Rider camp. Then he looks to the Rough Rider Nurse Shooter who is momentarily setting up her medical tent. And as he glances around he notices Lieutenant Greenway helping with ordering the Rough Rider soldiers to where their camps are located.
Now Colonel Leonard Wood looks to Sergeant Ham as he decides to say, “It’s almost time to dock the horses!”
And after hearing that comment, Sergeant Ham thinks otherwise saying, “What about a stable and corral for them?”
Next Colonel Leonard Wood has some words responding, “We will build a stable and corral for them, although it will only be temporary!”
Moments later, Lieutenant Greenway returns from flagging in the warships and the Rough Rider men on land. And as he returns he does it quickly in order to receive new orders now that the U.S. Naval Forces are unloading their cargos. And in the meantime everyone has tasks to do in order to prepare for what is to come as far as war is concerned.
And before Lieutenant Greenway can even say two words, Colonel Leonard Wood commands him right away commanding, “Lieutenant Greenway; I want you to organize the building of a stable and corral to keep the horses inside. And let’s see if we can get you back in to bronco busting shape!”
Immediately Lieutenant Greenway is very pleased to have the chance to do something productive rather than something destructive as he counters, “Yes, Colonel Wood sir!”
And then Lieutenant Greenway begins to salute Colonel Leonard Wood and as he turns Colonel Leonard Wood says, “And choose a few Rough Rider soldiers to help you and after that we will push the lines forward!”
Lastly Lieutenant Greenway answers Colonel Leonard Wood back as General Bill Shafter and Lieutenant Pollack return saying, “Yes, Colonel Wood sir!”
And then before Lieutenant Greenway can turn and leave, General Bill Shafter and Lieutenant Pollack are awaiting orders after returning with the Warships docked as General Bill Shafter says, “And the warships are docked and many of the Rough Rider soldiers are setting up their tents according to the plan Colonel Wood sir!”
After hearing that, Colonel Leonard Wood says to both General Bill Shafter and Lieutenant Pollack, “Good; and now you both will join Lieutenant Sharp on the line with the barricade at the edge of the shipyards!”
Now Lieutenant Greenway leaves as General Bill Shafter and Lieutenant Pollack both answers back, “Yes, Colonel Leonard Wood sir!”
Then as Lieutenant Greenway leaves the scene to do his scheduled and commanded tasks, Sergeant Ham makes a comment to Colonel Leonard Wood saying, “So far, this has been like a walk through an exhibit or zoo!”
Colonel Leonard Wood can only agree with Sergeant Ham, although Colonel Leonard Wood sees trouble ahead with the enemy forces as he says, “For now it has been easy to land, although the Philippine forces are near and it won’t be too long of a push with the lines inland passed Manila Bay before we encounter them!”
Meanwhile Lieutenant Sharp has found a source of sand and rock that could easily be used to build a secure line along the edge of the shipping yards of Manila Bay. It will be a long task, although it needs to be done in order to shelter the main headquarters and base of the waring effort nevertheless.
Hurriedly Lieutenant Sharp urges a few Rough Riders that he had chosen to accompany him on the task to gather up their shovels and make some bags for a barricade saying, “Let’s get some bags filled up with sand and start up our barricade right over here!”
In a hurry a few Rough Riders pull off their back packs and open them up in order to pull out some empty burlap sacks that were packed for the task of building a barricade. It was almost as though they were the Red Cross helping with barricading flood waters from a home, although the task is even more risky to accomplish.
Rough Rider Christopher is the first to fill up one of the burlap sacks. And then he continues by handing it off to a Rough Rider. And this Rough Rider is one who hands the burlap sack to another and another until it is placed specifically for the barricade. Soon there are a many other burlap sacks filled and a small wall of sand bags and an ABC rock is quickly built.
Meanwhile there happens to be some Freedom Fighter within an eyes distance watching their progress. And they are prepared to inform the Filipino Forces of their every move as the U.S. Naval Forces progress their way inland passed Manila Bay. Nevertheless the Filipino Freedom Fighters obey orders by observing and monitoring their every move without engaging at this point in time.
One Freedom Fighter makes a comment to some of the others as they are anxious to take a rifle shot at them as he says, “Let’s follow orders; we are only here to observe and monitor their every move until we are notified otherwise!”
Rough Rider Christopher makes a comment to Lieutenant Sharp saying, “It looks like we are running out of burlap sacks to fill!”
Then Lieutenant Pollack and General Bill Shafter arrive ready with more backpacks filled with empty burlap sacks as Lieutenant Pollack says, “It looks like you all might need some help!”
Next General Bill Shafter makes another gesture to the essence of the moment by shrugging to the tired and stressed Rough Riders, “Here; fill these burlap sacks up!”
During the interim, many more Rough Riders arrive in order to help out. Many of them are equipped with burlap sacks ready to build a blockade. And right away, they all start contributing to the building of their protection to the Rough Rider camp. However they must work fast considering that they are only so many hours in the day and time is one thing they don’t have before nightfall settles in.
Now a distance away, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo has her trained python which she has brought closer to the line built behind a mound saying, “And darkness is approaching!”
And then even at a further distance away, Emilio Aguinaldo realizes that the day is growing shorter as he makes a remark, “And as night time approaches, I bet they think that we are retreating and we are cowards!”
Finally another Freedom Fighter turns to Emilio Aguinaldo and says, “It’s only a few more hours before nightfall and then we can hit them with everything we have to waiting for them!”
Emilio Aguinaldo can only think of the first wave to hit them after nightfall saying, “A few more hours and then we will hit them with our first nightly wave!”
But then again, only a distance way is the Filipino Goddess Bamboo with her Burmese Python as she takes the snake out from a large burlap sack while sweet talking it to do some of her abiding, “And I hope they find my slithery friend amusing!”
Once these words are said the Burmese Python slithers his tongue around the outside of his lips as though he were hungry waiting for a large meal to digest. Then she lets the Burmese Python loose as she looks to the shipyards of Manila Bay from the distance jungle trees that separate both her and the U.S. Naval forces.
Quickly the Burmese Python slithers away heading towards the barricaded line without too much of a hurry on its hands nonetheless. The Filipino Goddess Bamboo watches as she takes in a smile for her delightful fantasy of causing them pain and aggravation before taking these islands of the Philippines. And then she turns to her bags of tricks as though she were a magician putting on a magical show that was a deadly one nevertheless.
And as the Filipino Goddess Bamboo turns away from her prize possession that was a trained pet perhaps, she says to lonesome self, “That should get the party started!”
Moments Later, Lieutenant Wright returns to the Official Post in order to report back to Colonel Leonard Wood saying, “Colonel Wood the Rough Rider camp is completely set up and all of the tents are established!”
Colonel Leonard Wood is ready to see the progress on the building of the barricade as he answers back, “Excellent; and now I want you to prepare the men with their ammunitions and once the barricade is completely built, you will personally set up some armaments within the barricade for their protection!”
Lieutenant Wright asks a question about what his task is querying, “I have three Gatlin Guns and three Lowell Guns ready for installation!”
Immediately Colonel Leonard Wood makes another field command saying, “Great; prepare the Gatlin Guns and Lowell Guns and have them ready on the double!”
Lieutenant Wright answers Colonel Leonard Wood back telling him, “Yes Colonel Wood sir; on the double!”
In the meantime, onboard the warship, Louise Wood’s maid makes a comment to her saying, “I have a bad feeling about this first encounter with the Filipino forces!”
After hearing that comment, Louise Wood has something to say along those lines discussing, “So do I; it has been a quiet arrival!”
Right then, Louise Wood’s daughter Barbara says distinctively, “We lost our element of surprise by them knowing we were coming here to Manila Bay!”
Once those words have been said, Louise Wood’s son Louie says with some knowledge in the third sense saying, “Maybe, they have a surprise for us and they are waiting for the right time to put their plan in to action!”
Back on land, Lieutenant Greenway is working on the stable and corral for the bronco busted horses as he directs some of the Rough Riders helping him with the construction saying, “The posts are set and lets nail these fences in to place and bring the horses in and have them ready to be saddled up!”
Right then, Rough Rider Bill says back to Lieutenant Greenway, “And then, are we to report back to the front line!”
Lieutenant Greenway says, “Yes, I have to report to the front lines immediately and I want you to stay back and take care of the horses until you are needed on the flanks!”
Next Colonel Leonard Wood wonders how the progress of the barricade is coming along as he says, “And how is the accomplishments of the barricade coming along?”
Right then and there Sergeant Ham looks out towards the progress of the barricade saying, “The barricade is coming along smoothly!”
And after hearing those positive confirmations, Colonel Leonard Wood says, “Excellent; and once the barricade is finished, we will wait until the following morning and send out a patrol unit to investigate the nearby areas before moving in our forces further past Manila Bay!”
Right away, Sergeant Ham is concerned about waiting the following morning for Colonel Leonard Wood to send a patrol unit out asking, “Are you sure to wait until tomorrow morning to send out a patrol unit to investigate the nearby areas?”
For an answer to Sergeant Ham’s correction about waiting until the following morning, Colonel Leonard Wood returns with an answer explaining, “Yes, we will wait until sunrise until we are prepared to investigate the outer areas of Manila Bay. I want this Rough Rider camp and Official Post to be secure before we make any further progressions just in case there are any ambushes waiting for us!”
Sergeant Ham continues further about his prognosis of the situation rendering, “What makes you think the\at there are any ambushes waiting for us beyond the shipyards of Manila Bay?”
Right then and there, Colonel Leonard can only think about Hawaiian history as a lesson saying, “One thing is for certain and that is that Emilio Aguinaldo knows the truth about the John L. Stevens and the Sugar Boys wanting to take the sugar crops and he probably wants to save his rights to the freedoms of the Philippines in his own personal and timely manner!”
Now Sergeant Ham carries on further asking Colonel Leonard Wood, “Then why did they evacuate the shipyards of Manila Bay?”
Next Colonel Leonard Wood explains how the eastern side of Manila is mostly Philippine-Chinese farmers near the China Sea saying, “Well, most of the eastern part of Manila is mostly Philippine-Chinese farmers who are living near the China Sea and he probably wants to protect his own crops while not limiting his resources to only the sugar crops!”
And as Colonel Leonard Wood talks about this while looking at the map of the Philippine Islands that he has laid out in front of him, Sergeant Ham makes a timely comment jousting, “Luckily these Sugar Crops aren’t a territory belonging to the Sugar Boys!”
Colonel Leonard Wood carries on contending, “No, the Philippines aren’t their territory, but Emilio Aguinaldo doesn’t know that for certain!”
Finally Sergeant Ham says back to Colonel Leonard Wood, “And my heart bleeds for the sugar crops of the Philippines!”
Colonel Leonard Wood says back to Sergeant Ham, “And so does mine and that is why we won’t let the Sugar Boys and men like John L. Stevens take this territory of the sugar crops nevertheless!”
Lastly Sergeant Ham asks a question that has come to his mind saying, “And what about the sugar crops that are closest to the China Sea?”
In conclusion to this conversation, Colonel Leonard Wood has an answer to that question saying, “Hopefully those Chinese farmers and those sugar crops won’t be a threat with taken the Philippine Islands!”
And at about that time, Lieutenant Greenway returns with news that he and some Rough Rider men have built and set the posts for the stable and corral saying, “Colonel Wood sir; the posts are dug and set and ready for some fencing rails to be nailed in and then we can move the horses inside. I’m only waiting on more supplies to be brought on to the docks from the warships, although we have enough to finish a side or two.”
Colonel Leonard Wood wants to keep his determinations up responding back, “Well, keep on it until it is finished because nightfall is only two hours away and then report back to the progresses on the barricade at the edge of the shipyards.”
Lieutenant Greenway answers back quickly while saluting saying, “Yes, right away Colonel Wood sir!”
As a final saying to Sergeant Ham as Lieutenant Greenway leaves heading back to his work, Colonel Leonard Wood says, “Let’s keep focused on finishing the stable, corral and barricade and then we will maneuver our efforts!”
And far away, yet not far away enough to be unable to see what is going on, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo is watching as she invites some more of her friends to the party saying, “And here are some more of my friends to add to the party for their first night of staying over!”
Right away, she opens a huge glass jar filled inside with sand that has an ant farm as she lays it on the ground. Then she watches as the ants all exit the jar and head in the same direction as he Burmese Python earlier. Next she makes a chuckling giggling laugh and turns away to do her abiding.
Soon the message gets to Emilio Aguinaldo as the U.S. Naval Forces are all settling in as a Freedom Fighter says, “The latest is that the U.S. Naval Forces are really settling themselves in at Manila Bay, sir!”
After hearing that latest message of information, Emilio Aguinaldo asks for more updates querying, “And what do our Chinese informants have to say about the arrival?”
The Freedom Fighter has some words to express saying, “The Chinese informants say that the Rough Riders and their 1st Calvary are here!”
And following that information, Emilio Aguinaldo asks fishing for more, “And who’s leading them?”
Suddenly, the Freedom Fighter decides to carry on to inform Emilio Aguinaldo saying, “Colonel Leonard Wood!”
Emilio Aguinaldo says boldly, “Colonel Leonard Wood!”
The Freedom Fighter says, “Yes!”
Furthermore Emilio Aguinaldo asks another question, “And who else is with him?”
The Freedom Fighter carries on again saying, “We believe he is accompanied by Lieutenant Sharp his Cuban co-pilot, his War Correspondent Richard Harding, Lieutenant Greenway, Lieutenant Wright, General Bill Shafter, and a few other Lieutenants and Sergeants who were reported to be dead. But then again, who’s checking toe tags or dog tags!”
Emilio Aguinaldo can only say with gleam and glare, “And who might they be on their ghost list!”
Then the Freedom Fighter gives his response saying, “We believe that he has Lieutenant Pollack and Sergeant Hamilton Fish still accompanying his orders!”
By now, Emilio Aguinaldo is even more curious asking, “Can we confirm this for certain?”
The Freedom Fighter comes back with an answer gibbering, “Well, no! We are unable to zoom in close enough with our telescopes or binoculars to catch a name tag to verify this for certain!”
Of course, Emilio Aguinaldo figures that that isn’t going to matter that much with a response saying, “Well, keep on it and verify each and every one of them until we can for certain!”
The Freedom Fighter says his obeying words expressing, “Yes, sir!”
Meanwhile a few Freedom Fighters are standing around watching the actions of Emilio Aguinaldo as he says amongst them all, “So Colonel Leonard Wood along with Cuban co-pilot Lieutenant Sharp, and his War Correspondent Richard Harding, Lieutenant Greenway, Lieutenant Wright, General Bill Shafter, and of course, a few coined dead names that are Rough Rider ghost legends on top of it all!”
Following that the Freedom Fighter adds something more as far as information is concerned, “And word has it that Bamboo is near the Rough Rider camp ready to make an impression!”
Emilio Aguinaldo carries on about the Filipino Goddess Bamboo saying, “Yes, I figured she would try and do so!”
The Freedom Fighter counters by asking, “Isn’t that going to arouse the Rough Riders?”
Emilio Aguinaldo comes back with some words phrasing, “She won’t arouse them too much if she does discretely enough!”
The Freedom Fighter shakes his head in agreeance with what was heard from Emilio Aguinaldo. Nonetheless many of the other Freedom Fighters have grins on their faces as well as the others too. Still more thoughts come to mind as they are focused back on the U.S. Naval Forces who have come from Honolulu Naval Base in Oahu.
Moments later, Emilio Aguinaldo says in repose to what was previously heard before the mentioning of the Filipino Goddess Bamboo as he asks, “So what do we know about Colonel Leonard Wood!”
Most of the Freedom Fighters aren’t aware or don’t really know anything as they all look to each other dumbfounded as Emilio Aguinaldo glances around before saying, “Well, we know that he is the commander of Cuba and after Theodore Roosevelt chose him he was in charge of the U.S. 1st Calvary. And we know that he was a White House Physician and was close to President McKinley. See I read the newspapers and keep up with everyone so that I have some knowledge on all of them. And many of the things that are published in the newspapers are lies and fabrications to confuse us!”
One of the Freedom Fighters makes a slightly derogatory statement by commenting a line about Colonel Leonard Wood, “Sounds like that Colonel Leonard Wood is very outlandish and smart!”
Right away, Emilio Aguinaldo returns a look back at him as he says, “Yes, he is smart enough and experienced enough to try and confuse us about who he has with him, although it won’t matter much when we hit the battlegrounds. And the fabricated reports of killed Rough Riders who were shot won’t matter much when they are really shot the next time around.”
Another Freedom Fighter thinks about how the U.S. Naval Forces and the Rough Riders are actually moving in and settling in fast as he says, “And they are moving their forces in faster and faster by the moment!”
And now to finalize the conversation that Emilio Aguinaldo is having with his Freedom Fighters, Emilio Aguinaldo says with determination and stride, “Yes, and now it is time that we turn back to Manila Bay and start the fight for our freedoms and personal heritage of the Philippines!”
Meanwhile in the shipyards of Manila Bay the Rough Riders are about wo live out their first nightfall which is coming fast as Lieutenant Greenway enters the official post to inform Colonel Leonard Wood saying, “The stable and corral are completely ready to bring the horses in!”
Colonel Leonard Wood decides that they better call it a night by saying back to Lieutenant Greenway, “Great; but nightfall is here so we better call it a night!”
CHAPTER SIX
Suddenly nightfall has come over the area of Manila Bay. And at this time the Filipino Goddess Bamboo is ready for the show to begin and the sparks to fly, although she isn’t using a wooden stick match on anything. But she has made some preset implications that are about to come to life even though all is quite on the west side of the Rough Riders and their barricaded line.
For now, she just wants to wait a distance away for a triggering of things to begin as she hears some voices in the distance say, “I could just burrow in right here and sleep all night!”
Then another Rough Rider voice is heard by the Filipino Goddess Bamboo as the voice says, “So could I; I could burrow in right here next to these sand bags and just fall asleep!”
Momentarily, a name plate is nailed to a door that says, “War Correspondent Office” where War Correspondent Richard Harding will be conducting his journalist writing more or less. And then the door is opened and closed as War Correspondent Richard Harding makes his Official War Correspondent Office a home and business like to change things in a more peaceful feeling.
Then seconds later out near the barricade, another Rough Rider voice says about the same thing correlating, “It seems a little too quite around here!”
A fourth Rough Rider says lightly to them in response, “Yes, it doesn’t sound like there are any people around except us!”
A Rough Rider Danny makes a comment about wanting a fire saying, “Too bad we can’t have a fire going!”
Rough Rider Christopher says back to him, “We’d be sitting ducks and sit out like a sore thumb for those Filipino Freedom Fighters!”
Rough Rider Mike is sitting back looking at the stars from the darkness of the night as he says, “And we might get jumped with a knife stuck in one of our backs!”
Rough Rider Danny looks at some of the newer faces leaning against the sand bagged barricade as he says, “I don’t think you all should lay there on those sand bags with your backs turned towards the enemy!”
The new faced Rough Rider thinks about how the area of Manila Bay was deserted as he says, “Why the entire area of Manila Bay was deserted and there is nobody as far as Filipino Freedom Fighters around!”
Next the Rough Rider John Porter makes a comment as he seems to be the only new comer who has some brains even though he has never been in any battles as he says wisely, “Really you all should stay away from the sand bags and lay back on your bags watching out for those Filipino Freedom Fighters in case they try to sneak up on us at night!”
Meanwhile the Burmese Python snake that the Filipino Goddess Bamboo nears some of the new faced Rough Riders as they doubt that there are any enemies as far as the Filipino Freedom Fighters are concerned. The Burmese Python has reached the top of the sand bags as he focuses his eyes on one of the Rough Riders who seems to appear the most vulnerable.
The new faced Rough Riders all start to slowly get up as they decide to listen to their peers, although one doesn’t seem to pay attention very much. Another moment passes as some of the new faced Rough Riders finally make their way to another spot to sit and stay watch.
Then suddenly the Burmese Python slithers its way on to the slagging Rough Rider as it quickly coils his head around his neck and then his body around his shoulders. Quickly he screams and yells as the sounds are muffled from his being choked. However, luckily the other Rough Riders notice as many of them scurries in the dark having a hard time seeing even two feet in front of them.
Meanwhile many of the Rough Riders are dumbfounded and aren’t sure what to do for the time being. However Rough Rider Christopher seems to know how to handle the situation as he approaches the new faced Rough Rider while taking out one of his skinning knives.
Right away, the new faced Rough Rider starts to choke to death while rolling around on the ground back and forth. Then suddenly, Rough Rider Christopher approaches him from behind while taking a good sized slice in to the Burmese Python. Moments later, Rough Rider Christopher stabs the Burmese Python once again as it loses its coiling grip around him.
Next Rough Rider Christopher seems to help pulls the Burmese Python off and from around him as though he was experienced in this sort of freakish nature. Of course, the Burmese python quickly slithers off as Rough Rider Christopher turns to helping the new faced Rough Rider from being unable to breathe more or less. Yet some choking and coughing continue as Lieutenant Pollack comes outside from his tent after hearing the noise.
Immediately Lieutenant Pollack asks out loud, “What is going on over here?”
While the new faced Rough Rider coughs a few more times, Rough Rider Christopher says experienced like, “Just a little confrontation with a Burmese Python and nothing to worry about with me handling the situation.”
Right then and there, Lieutenant Pollack realizes that they weren’t doing their job correctly as he says, “There was an incident because you all weren’t following commands. Only the lookouts are allowed next to the barricade and are supposed to be looking out for any Freedom Fighters!”
Just then Rough Rider John Porter takes the initiative saying, “I’ll stand lookout right now and show them how it’s done!”
Immediately Lieutenant Pollack makes the agreeing assurance saying, “Two hours, and then Rough Rider Christopher will relieve you!”
The new faced Rough Rider says, “Man, it was a big snake; what did you say that was that choked me?”
Rough Rider Christopher says again, “It was a Burmese Python!”
Lieutenant Pollack comes back saying, “It was a Philippine Burmese Python and probably a trained one meaning some Filipino’s pet perhaps. See it is my duty to watch these flanks and make sure that we have lookouts on watch until about an hour before sunrise. Now get back to your duties while I inform Lieutenant Greenway or General Bill Shafter of the situation.”
Rough Rider Christopher answers back Lieutenant Pollack responding, “Yes sir, Lieutenant Pollack!”
Lieutenant Pollack gives Rough Rider Christopher a look about how it was a close call and then he turns and heads back to the tents. Rough Rider Christopher turns the other way in the dark while having his eyes focus and dilate back and forth. Nonetheless the new faced Rough Rider tries to shake off the coughs and chokes while wanting to brush the entire situation away.
In the meantime, Rough Rider John Porter takes the night watch as commanded even though he had volunteered. Also many of the other Rough Riders stay close by within a distance as they all stare out towards the darkness the separates the barricade from other areas. Most of the nearby areas are dark and desolate and there aren’t many lights showing any signs of civilization neither.
And then a second or so later, Lieutenant Wright comes out to stand a night’s watch with them all as the Rough Riders all see him walk up saying, “Lieutenant Pollack asked me to stand a night’s watch with you all!”
A distance away, there are some nut torches lighting up an open area within some trees with another Rough Rider dummy. Then suddenly, the Rough Rider dummy is pierced with many blow darts landing in the chest as well as the arms and legs. And don’t forget the upper body such as the face and head along with the Rough Rider hat with the sword insignia emblem.
Then a figure casts a shadow from the nut torches that darkens an image as someone approaches the Rough Rider dummy. It is Frog Man as he takes a look at the accuracy of his last handmade blow dart that will be used for the purpose of protection the freedoms of the people of the Philippines.
Next he walks over towards a grass hut where there are many other Philippines Freedom Fighting Natives who are worthy of the cause, of course. All of them are holding blow darts and have been practicing on the Rough Rider dummy and other targets for a while now. However they continue to pick their blow darts back up as though they were in a dart league in a dart tournament nonetheless.
They all are also carrying some live dart frogs tied to their garments considering that they are very used to the venoms from being exposed daily. Yet just one hit with any of these blow darts poisoned with yellow dart frog venom could drop a monkey from a tree, although the Rough Rider soldiers are much bigger and heavier set than a monkey that the dosages will have to be increased.
Meanwhile they all gather readying themselves to make their way to the front lines where the barricade is over at the shipyards of Manila Bay. So far, most of the areas of Manila Bay were deserted, though there are many Philippines waiting elsewhere to stand up for rights of their ways of life and culture on the islands.
Then suddenly, Frog Man makes the signal for the Native Freedom Fighters to all leave splitting off in to bands of three to four each. As they leave they all take note of their entire collection of poison darts that they have been redeeming from their practices. There are a few that add some other poisonous frogs to their native waste bands as they prepare to leave with their grouping islander friends.
Now the Rough Riders have some more enemies coming their way and it isn’t only Freedom Fighters that will concern them all. It is also many small bands of younger freedom fighting children on the loose and they will seem as though they are starving homeless orphans who nobody seems to care about.
During this time the Rough Riders are still enjoying the quietness of the night time as they all stand sleepless like while waiting for the new day. Rough Rider John Porter is standing watch while some other new faced rough Riders are standing a night watch as well.
Rough Rider John Porter can only stare off in to the darkness past the barricade that separates them from the rest of the Manila Bay. It is like a sort of embassy in a way as they are like diplomats in a foreign country nevertheless. Yet they are in a land that is unknown to them and they can’t see accurately for more than five or ten feet in front of them.
Lieutenant Wright is standing a many yards away maintaining watch as he says to Rough Rider John Porter, “Usually night watch is pretty boring and there isn’t much going on; but like I said, usually!”
Right after hearing those words, Rough Rider John Porter says, “I see that; I see that this is no Hawaiian vacation!”
In the interim, a few bands of the young Freedom Fighters have made their way to the barricade at the shipyards, although they stay a distance away. Of course, they are accustomed to the dark very much from being and living in the vegetation which is much like the jungles of Africa or South America in a sense.
At first, they have decided to move in closer, although they want to try and mess with the Rough Rider heads a little bit. And that desire from the idea that they have no idea who any of the Rough Rider soldiers are except for a few names that are now not only dead perhaps, but infamous.
Soon the young Freedom Fighters all form a line standing behind one another while doing marching formations in the dark. It seems uncanny, although they are only trying to mess with the eyes of the Rough Riders. A few of the young Freedom Fighters are wearing a white shirt that seems to stand out a little in the darkness of the night.
Many of them split off forming two lines, although they try their best at remaining as quiet as possible trying not to be heard. However Rough Rider John Porter hears something like some branches or some scattering of the dirt perhaps. Moreover instead of making a commotion out of the strange noises, Rough Rider John Porter remains calm and collective while wondering what the noises were that manifested.
Now the young Freedom Fighters start to wave and make impressions that are with their guns like they were practicing in the dark. Then suddenly, Rough Rider John Porter makes out some glimpses of something moving in the dark. First off, he starts to think if what he is seeing is real, although the white like images keep meandering back and forth in and around one another.
Finally Rough Rider John Porter sees the meandering images again and luckily he gleams in on the white shirts that the young Freedom Fighters are wearing. Yet they are only faint considering just how pitch dark everything is especially with no electricity. Nevertheless Rough Rider John Porter only gazes watching and waiting for another opportunity to catch another glimpse of their reflection.
Then all of a sudden one of the young Freedom Fighters chuckles lightly as Rough Rider John Porter hears the slight laugh. It was so slim and faint that he barely heard the laugh, although he waits for another chance. Soon there is another chuckle that sounds like it came from another individual, though it was another one of the young Freedom Fighters.
Right away, Rough Rider John Porter leaves his chosen post to keep a night’s watch as he heads over to Lieutenant Wright who is looking off towards another direction. Lieutenant Wright is also a good many yards away making it hard for him to have heard the noises as well.
Once Rough Rider John Porter makes the distance, he marches in close to Lieutenant Wright and says, “We might have some action over my way about a good fifty yards or so out past the barricade!”
That’s when Lieutenant Wright makes a comment to Rough Rider John Porter, “Just hold your position; it could be some passersby or maybe some farmers. We hold a seize fire unless otherwise commanded!”
Rough Rider John Porter says freaking out sort of like, “This might just be the moment I have been waiting for my whole life!”
And as Rough Rider John Porter turns to leave while squatting down low, Lieutenant Wright gabbles back, “Mine too once again!”
Rough Rider John Porter glances back while holding on to his Rough Rider hat as though he thought the sword emblem would fall off perhaps. But nonetheless, Rough Rider John Porter heads back to his spot he had chosen for a night watch and then he settles in quickly.
Of course, one of the young Freedom Fighters notices a Rough Rider hat moving along the top of the barricade as he lifts up his revolver and points it aiming. Then when Rough Rider John Porter’s hat disappears for a time, the young Freedom Fighter lowers his weapon and chuckles turning to the others.
Soon they all converse lightly and all start dancing around in circles trying to be noticed before all running and sneaking off one by one. At that moment, Rough Rider John Porter sees some white flashes go by off in the distance, although other than that only some sounds of footsteps are heard slightly.
Just then, Rough Rider Christopher heard the moving of the young Freedom Fighters as he says to Rough Rider John Porter, “What was that noise?”
Next Rough Rider John Porter explains saying, “I thought I saw some movement and told Lieutenant Wright; but all I could see was some white flashes out that way!”
Rough Rider Christopher says, “It could be anybody; maybe even civilians like farmers!”
Next Rough Rider Danny approaches while squatting down saying, “Just let them take the first shot; that’s what I have always learned throughout the years!”
After hearing those experienced words coming from a long term Rough Rider, Rough Rider John Porter makes a comment saying, “Sounds like you have some years in!”
Right then and there, Rough Rider Danny explains a sentence worth replying, “Yes, Rough Rider Christopher and myself fought with General Teddy Roosevelt and Colonel Leonard Wood in Cuba and made the group portrait which was with all of the Rough Riders after taking San Juan Hill!”
Just then while continually talking softly like they were almost whispering, Rough Rider John Porter comments, and “Sounds like you both experienced a lot?”
Next Rough Rider Christopher scoots over towards them both closer as he says, “Yes we did; and so did Rough Rider Billy Boy over here, huh?”
Right then, Rough Rider John Porter looks over to Rough Rider Billy Boy as he nods his head while saying, “Uh huh yes!”
Now Rough Rider Christopher makes a comment to Rough Rider John Porter saying, “Don’t worry; you’ll get your experience now!”
Rough Rider John Porter comes back with, “I suppose I will reap the experiences on these here islands like I did the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu!”
Rough Rider Billy Boy makes a statement to Rough Rider John Porter telling him, “Now we can call you Rough Rider John Porter rather than Private John Porter!”
Then Rough Rider Mike coins in the phrase suggesting, “Maybe, you’ll be ready to rise up and become a Lieutenant or maybe even a General or Colonel someday!”
Rough Rider John Porter says with some doubt, of course, “Yes, maybe one day I could be a Lieutenant perhaps!”
At this time, the Native Freedom Fighters have arrived to the shipyards of Manila Bay and are not too far from the barricade. And they still have a few hours of darkness left while the Rough Riders spend their first night on watch. So far, it has been an easy landing as the ports and docks of the shipyards are abandoned. However the Rough Rider did all they could in a little amount of time regardless of any signs of the Filipino Rebels absence and lack of appearance.
As the Native Freedom Fighters arrive, they run in to the band of young Freedom Fighters along the way. One of the young Freedom Fighters approaches the Native Freedom Fighter with his hand out like he is begging for food. The Native Freedom Fighter can only laugh and chuckle about it like it is some sort of joke.
Then the Native Freedom Fighter waves him off while laughing slightly and saying, “Go on now; get out of here!”
Still the Native Freedom Fighters continue on making their way closer towards the barricade. They continue as the young Freedom Fighters are wandering while waiting for the patrol units to mess with mainly. As the young Freedom Fighters pass many of them aim their pistols towards the sand bagged barricade like the mean business.
Soon the Native Freedom Fighters arrive at a closer distance with their band of rebels and warriors. Many of them are equipped with some rifles and pistols such as six shooter revolvers, although many of them are equipped with blow darts. And they are a very good and can take an accurate aim when it comes to that considering all of the practice they have had lately.
When they arrive, Frog Man aims his blow dart gun as he sees the top of one of the hats of a Rough Rider as he says, “Do you think I could hit him?”
Meanwhile while casing the barricade out, one of the Native Freedom Fighters answers back speaking, “Maybe in the Rough Rider cowboy hat!”
Next many of the Native Freedom Fighters line up under some of the trees leaving enough of a clearance for them to take a shot with their blow dart gun. They all line up with their blow darts and their ammunition which happens to be some poison dart frogs. And these weapons are quiet nonetheless as they make no loud bang when fired.
It is Guerilla Warfare within a more primitive sense, although these tactics have their element of surprise to say the very least. And that is because they can shoot their blow darts quickly and reload quickly and have a limited supply of venoms for their arsenal of attack.
Now Frog Man decides the hell with it as he swipes a blow dart with a yellow poison dart frog and follows suit by aiming his blow dart gun towards the barricade. He aims for a moment as he focuses his eyes on the Rough Rider hat that he can see popping over the top of the barricade a distance behind and from it within the compound.
Then all of the other Native Freedom Fighters follow the initiative as they all swipe their blow darts and aim their blow dart guns while getting ready to take their first quiet shots at the enemy. It takes a moment for them all to zoom in on somewhere to take their initial blow dart gun shot, though they have some trouble fixing in on any Rough Rider subjects.
Yet this is a desperate blow to try and hit some of them in their sleep which will hopefully knock a few off without making a sound. Soon they all wait for Frog Man to take the first shot as he continues aiming at his particular target. Another moment goes by as a few more Rough Rider hats are seen scrimmaging around a bit.
Then suddenly, Frog Man takes a deep breath and blows a fast dart out making a loud sound from the tip of his blow dart gun, “Whoosh!”
Also at that juncture in time, the Native Freedom Fighters all shadow Frog Man’s action by shooting off their own blow dart guns right at the same exact time, “Whoosh!”
In addition, a slight whizzing or whispering sound heard by the Native Freedom Fighters as their blow darts make their way up in to the air. It is almost like a group of arrows flying towards a target as they all whiz their way towards the barricade. Now all they can do is wait another split second until they notice some Rough Rider heads dropping and falling down perhaps for their satisfaction.
And when that split second comes, a many darts catapult the area hitting the sand bags piled up along the barricade and some meet their target. Of course, the only Rough Rider to get darted from being targeted was the one that Frog Man had picked out for his self.
The dart hits the side of the Rough Rider’s hat causing him to duck down to inspect the situation, although the rest were only shot on by chance. One Rough Rider is hit in the arm and another one is hit in the chest. There are a few that are hit on the back as well. However it is still too early to tell how many were affected by the impact of their blow darts.
Luckily Lieutenant Wright was missed, though he had a few land close to him hitting the sand bags making him most lucky. Meanwhile Lieutenant Wright reaches for one of the blow darts after the snapping sounds of them landing everywhere stops and ceases.
Right away, there is a commotion heard as one of the blow darts hits Lieutenant Pollack’s tent that he had spent some time setting up. Immediately Lieutenant Pollack gets out of his cot and rises for the occasion. Quickly he reaches for his Rough Rider hat and exits the tent ready to start the day from all of the bickering going down outside and around his canopy.
Seconds later, Lieutenant Greenway hears the commotion as he prepares for his day of finishing the barricade by increasing its boundaries along with the other commanders. And meanwhile Frog Man decides to give one last shot at one of the Rough Riders as a sort of grand finale to the night time skirmish. Quickly he prepares another dart poisoned with the yellow poison dart frog and places the dart in his mouth with the dart gun tight against his lips.
Soon Lieutenant Greenway makes his way to the front of the tent wondering if it was another freak act of nature. Then Frog Man blows the whistle as Lieutenant Greenway is watching the commotions, ranting and raving as Rough Riders realize what has happened just now. Suddenly a blow dart land right next to Lieutenant Greenway’s Rough Rider hat nearly skimming the front of it.
He glances back and sees the dart stuck in to the canvassing of the canopy of his army tent. Right away, Lieutenant Greenway wants to inspect the blow dart, although he realizes that there might be something wrong with it nonetheless. Of course, he thinks that considering the ill effects of the Filipino Goddess Bamboo and her strange witchcraft. Yet there is something else going on here that is unexplainable right now.
During this time, Frog Man looks to the other Native Freedom Fighters saying, “Oops; I missed!”
Another Native Freedom Fighter makes a quick comment rallying Frog Man’s shot with the blow dart through his dart gun saying, “I thought you had that one!
Frog Man adds a comment of his token of caring for the U.S. Naval Forces, “That one looked like that Lieutenant Greenway!”
By now, Lieutenant Greenway has made his way over to where Lieutenant Pollack and Lieutenant Wright are gathered. General Bill Shafter approaches as well from all of the commotions that have been overheard. Most of what has been heard was only the Rough Riders and some conversations being talked back and forth which were very loud.
General Bill Shafter approaches as he wonders what is going on asking Lieutenant Pollack, “What has happened?”
Lieutenant Pollack answers as Lieutenant Greenway and Lieutenant Wright are taking cover saying, “We have been attacked!”
Of course, General Bill Shafter realizes that this information is the first of his knowledge asking, “By who; there were no shell firings!”
At that moment, Lieutenant Greenway lifts up his red handkerchief that he had around his neck as he shows it saying, “With this!”
General Bill Shafter asks Lieutenant Greenway quickly, “And what is that may I ask; a dart from a blow dart gun?”
Right away, Lieutenant Greenway thinks that it is that along with something else stating, “Try a poisonous blow dart from a blow dart gun!”
Just then, Lieutenant Pollack questions Lieutenant Greenway’s authority by asking, “And how do you know that?”
Lieutenant Greenway responds, “We don’t for sure!”
Lieutenant Wright says hurriedly like, “We should inspect the men to see if they are conscious and okay!”
Lieutenant Pollack says quickly, “We should inform the Colonel!”
General Bill Shafter replies after hearing that statement, “I will comply with Colonel Leonard Wood of the surprise situation.”
Straightaway General Bill Shafter leaves to head to the Official Post of Colonel Leonard Wood while the Lieutenant Pollack, Lieutenant Greenway, and Lieutenant Wright begin to check the Rough Rider soldiers. Most of the Rough Rider soldiers are still unnerved, although the attack was subtle and only covered a small area. But it was enough to stir up some commotions around the Rough Rider camp.
Some of these commotions are still stirred with Rough Rider Mike as he was nearly hit, although Rough Rider John Porter was hit in the arm and has already pulled the blow dart out. So far, he hasn’t had too much to say other than showing Rough Rider Christopher, Rough Rider Mike, and Rough Rider Billy Boy.
The first words to come from Rough Rider John Porter’s mouth, is to the others was, “Wow; looks like I was shot with a blow dart.”
Rough Rider Mike asks quickly, “Are you alright?”
Rough Rider John Porter replies shortly after only a second later saying, “Yes, it was just a hard fast prick through my shirt sleeve. But I feel groggy as hell and there is a numbing pain in my chest!”
Luckily Lieutenant Wright approaches to check all of their statuses as he yakking reckons, “Are you all okay; was any of you hurt!”
Right away, Rough Rider Billy Boy realizes that he may be injured with some kind of impact answering Lieutenant Wright back saying, “Yes, except for Rough Rider John was hit in the arm and he is sort of groggy and drowsy from it.”
Right away, Lieutenant Wright asks Rough Rider John Porter questioning, “Are you alright Rough Rider John?”
Then Rough Rider John Porter decides to answer back considering that he is still responsive to a point contending, “Yes, I’ll be alright; just some little blow dart. But I think it was laced with something! It feels similar to rattlesnake venom in a sense, without all of the foaming of the wound and the mouth!”
Meanwhile as Lieutenant Pollack and Lieutenant Greenway continue to check out the statuses of other Rough Riders, Lieutenant Wright makes a bold statement to Rough Rider John Porter saying, “That’s the benefits of being a Rough Rider cowboy; just hang in there, okay?”
By now, Lieutenant Greenway has made his way to Rough Rider Danny who was luckily missed by one of the estranged blow darts as he asks, “Are you alright; looks like we have had a sneaky night attack!”
Immediately Rough Rider Danny answers back saying to Lieutenant Greenway, “Yes, I’m alright; luckily most of the Rough Riders were asleep in their tents for the night!”
Next Lieutenant Greenway says really quickly like back to Rough Rider Danny, “Yes, and luckily that was what the Colonel ordered!”
In the meantime, General Bill Shafter has made his way to the Official Post of Colonel Leonard Wood as he informs Sergeant Hamilton Fish of needing to wake up the Colonel ordering, “Wake up the Colonel!”
Sergeant Hamilton Fish walks to the door of the room where Colonel Leonard Wood has retired for the night after setting up the Official Post. Immediately he knocks as Colonel Leonard Wood rises from his bed which happens to be a cot in the middle of one of the rooms.
Then there is a voice coming from the inside of the room as Colonel Leonard Wood says, “What is it Sergeant Ham?”
Sergeant Hamilton Fish replies with a line saying, “General Bill Shafter is here; it seems we had a sneak night attack!”
Colonel Leonard Wood readies by getting dressed, although he usually sleeps dressed up anyways as he asks Sergeant Hamilton Fish, “How bad?”
And before Sergeant Hamilton Fish can say another word the door of the room where Colonel Leonard Wood is staying opens up as General Bill Shafter answers that question by indicating, “Bad enough!”
Then Colonel Leonard Wood walks over to the table where all of the war plans of propaganda are situated along with the maps of the Philippines as he says, “What kind of attack was it?”
Next General Bill Shafter holds up the handkerchief that Lieutenant Greenway has given him as he says, “The attack was a blow gun and blow dart attack!”
By now, Colonel Leonard Wood wonders if there were any casualties asking General Bill Shafter, “Were there any casualties?”
General Bill Shafter answers that question saying, “That answer is unconfirmed while Lieutenant Wright, Lieutenant Pollack, and Lieutenant Greenway are checking out the Rough Rider soldiers making sure that everyone is okay and accounted for, sir! However, I haven’t seen Lieutenant Sharp around recently!”
Next Colonel Leonard Wood says, “Well, let’s start the day early once everyone is accounted for and alright!”
General Bill Shafter says, “Colonel Sir!”
Colonel Leonard Wood says, “Assemble the forces!”
General Bill Shafter answers back, “Yes, Colonel Wood sir.”
Right away, General Bill Shafter turns to leave in order to assemble the forces for the first day, although when Colonel Leonard Wood turns to his Sergeant Hamilton Fish, he says, “And I was thinking about bringing my family on to the island!”
Hamilton Fish says back to Colonel Leonard Wood, “Colonel Wood, sir!”
Immediately Colonel Leonard Wood repeats just what he had said previously saying again, “And I was thinking about bringing my family on the island tonight. Then something said to wait another night.”
Seconds later, Colonel Leonard Wood takes his sword and slides it in its holster as he makes his way to the table for a quick look at his war planning. Meanwhile the Filipino Goddess Bamboo is watching the Rough Rider soldiers scramble around as the Lieutenants all check their statuses saying, “It appears that seemed to wake them all up early!”
And at about that same time, Emilio Aguinaldo realizes that the Native Freedom Fighters have made a nudged and pushed the Rough Riders around with their night attack as he says, “Excellent; that she bring further and closer this way to my Philippine forces.”
By now, the Rough Rider Nurse Shooter has been arisen for the occasion of looking at the blow dart that Lieutenant Greenway had given to General Bill Shafter to show to Colonel Leonard Wood. At first she puts on some leather gloves to hold it and inspect the blow dart.
In the interim, Sergeant Hamilton Fish uses a Morse code to notify the warships of the U.S. Naval Forces of the night attack and their status. And this was the first time that Rough Rider Nurse Shooter has entered the Official Post considering the situation at hand.
And after holding the blow dart for a moment or so, Rough Rider Nurse Shooter shoots off some words, “Looks like a handmade blow dart!”
Colonel Leonard Wood states the assumption saying, “A poisoned blow dart that is your holding.”
Sergeant Ham asks a question catechizing, “Poisoned with what?”
Next Rough Rider Nurse Shooter thinks about what the blow darts could be poisoned with saying, “Well, maybe they are using some type of venom from an insect or an animal!”
Sergeant Ham grills a quick question, “Like rattle snake venom, perhaps?”
Right away, Rough Rider Nurse Shooter debunks his thoughts saying, “No, rattlesnake venoms would foam up at the opening of the blow dart penetrated.
Colonel Leonard Wood commands her saying, “Find out what venom that is?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Suddenly Colonel Leonard Wood is on the field a distance behind the barricade as he has some war preparations ordering General Bill Shafter, “Assemble a patrol unit to have a looks around the nearby areas to see what militias are nearby!”
Thereafter, only seconds later, then, General Bill Shafter answers back questioning, “Colonel Wood, sir!”
Colonel Leonard Wood makes another addition to his command ordering, “Send a patrol unit out to check out the nearby farms, towns, and villages looking for signs of infantry and independent mercenaries!”
Straight forth General Bill Shafter looks back to Colonel Leonard Wood replying, “Yes, Colonel Wood, sir!”
By this time, the new day is forming, although the sun is only in the early morning as the Filipino Forces of Freedom Fighters watches some form of militia merge together. Now it is apparent to the Filipino Freedom Fighters as General Bill Shafter assembles some men for making a patrol as a unit.
In the meantime, the Freedom Fighters observe along with Emilio Aguinaldo as he hears another Freedom Fighter say, “It appears that there are some militia men forming a group there at the center!”
During that moment, General Bill Shafter chooses a few Rough Rider men to go along with his patrol unit. Lieutenant Pollack is one of them, although he doesn’t want to bring too many Lieutenants together as one patrol unit. He also fails at choosing any of the Rough Rider men who were hit by the poisoned blow darts, though there were only a few casualties.
However Rough Rider Christopher and Rough Rider Billy Boy accompany Black Rough Rider Private Marcus and Black Rough Rider Private Greg. But Rough Rider John Porter is excluded from the group due to his injuries from the poisoned blow dart. Yet he really didn’t seem to care about joining the patrol unit anyways.
Then at the last minute General Bill Shafter chooses another few Rough Rider men such as Rough Rider Mike and Rough Rider Danny to join the patrol unit. Then once again, General Bill Shafter makes the choice of choosing a few extra new faced Rough Rider men to come along at the very last second.
But before they leave, General Bill Shafter wonders where Lieutenant Sharp has been asking the Rough Riders, “Where is Lieutenant Sharp?”
One of the new faced Rough Riders on his patrol answers saying, “He was over there positioned by those sand bags and then he scurried off over the barricade before the attack happened!”
Next Lieutenant Pollack says, “That’s odd!”
Following Rough Rider Danny says, “I hope he didn’t go AWOL!”
Then as the patrol unit is beginning to arm up and head off, Emilio Aguinaldo watches as he says some words to his fellow Freedom Fighters, “Looks like they are sending a patrol unit!”
One of the Freedom Fighters asks, “To do what?”
Emilio Aguinaldo answers back to his fellow Freedom Fighter, “They are sending out a patrol unit to check on any militias or mercenaries in the nearby area. They will also probably check the nearby farms as well.
Another Freedom Fighter asks, “What now?”
Emilio Aguinaldo says, “Let Bamboo hit them with the hungered kids!”
By this time, the word of the slight night skirmish has reached Colonel Leonard Wood’s wife and family as they were all becoming eager to join the mainland of Manila Bay. The family is sitting in there room when the news comes from one of the guards outside of their room. And after hearing about the night attack, they are luckier to be on the ship rather than in Manila Bay.
And while wanting to join the mainland, Louise Wood makes a comment to her family saying, “I thought we would have joined the mainland by now, but it looks like they are already having night attacks so it may be a while before we can join them!”
Meanwhile her daughter Barbara Wood makes a comment asking, “How much longer do you think it will be before we can see the Philippines?”
Louise Wood’s maid answers that question saying, “It will be at least a few days or so before we can leave the ship!”
Back on land in Manila Bay, the patrol unit has left as Colonel Leonard Wood wonders where his co-pilot Lieutenant Sharp has disappeared to, And for some reason it seems that he had wondered off during the night attack and everyone hasn’t seen or heard from him. So far, it is like he has vanished for good and is never going to return back to the Rough Rider camp.
In the passing moments, Sergeant Ham wonders what Colonel Leonard Wood is going to do about locating Lieutenant Sharp as he asks, “And what are you going to do about finding Lieutenant Sharp?”
Then just before Colonel Leonard Wood can say anything, Lieutenant Sharp appears by entering the Rough Rider camp as he approaches Colonel Leonard Wood and Sergeant Ham. As he approaches them, he is carrying something in his hand that appears sort of odd and out of place, of course.
And as Colonel Leonard Wood places his hands on a table that some of the Rough Riders have outside for relaxing on and to perform specific needs, he says to Lieutenant Sharp, “And where have you bee; you have disobeyed a direct order to stay here at camp?”
Right away, Lieutenant Sharp plops something on the table that sort of had caught Colonel Leonard Wood and Sergeant Ham’s attention nonetheless. And as he does, it makes a sort of hideous appearance as they both take a quick first glance at them. Nevertheless both Colonel Leonard Wood and Sergeant Ham are speechless as they can only wonder what they are looking at.
Colonel Leonard Wood asks Lieutenant Sharp interrogating, “And what are those?”
Immediately Lieutenant Sharp says back to Colonel Leonard Wood with Sergeant Ham standing there close by, “These are poison dart frogs!”
Sergeant Ham thinks about Lieutenant Sharp disobeying direct orders as he says in conjunction to Colonel Leonard Wood’s speech saying, “That a good enough reason to disobey orders and leave camp!”
After that, Colonel Leonard Wood asks another question correlating, “And where did you find these specimens?”
Right at that moment, Lieutenant Sharp has a short story to tell regarding how he came up with and found these specimens saying, “There was a group of Filipino kids messing around in front of the barricade towards the east flank. And after they left I watch them leave and when the morning light came shining through, there were some farmers messing around by a tree and left nearly getting hit by some of the flying blow darts coming towards camp. It looked like they were hanging some decorations and so I went over and found these poison dart frogs tied to a string hanging there. It was like they were planning something so I decided to investigate it once they had left after the children.”
Next Colonel Leonard Wood has something to add to Lieutenant Sharp and his presumptions as he says, “It sounds like to me that they were planting these as spare rearmaments for their night attacks, and you just slipped out during one!”
Lieutenant Sharp feels that they should be careful when sending out patrol units saying, “We’d better be careful sending out patrol units!”
Sergeant Ham butts in to the conversation contending, “It’s too late; Colonel Leonard Wood has already sent one!”
Lieutenant Sharp asks a question relating, “And who did you send as a patrol unit?”
Immediately Colonel Leonard Wood answers that question the best that he can by indicating, “I sent General Bill Shafter along with some of the other Rough Riders on that patrol unit!”
Following Lieutenant Sharp asks another question clarifying, “And where did you send the patrol unit?”
Colonel Leonard Wood says without any further hesitations whatsoever, “I sent them to check nearby farms along with towns and villages for any signs of militia or any mercenaries in the area.”
Sergeant Ham adds some information saying, “General Bill Shafter left with the men towards the eastern flank as well.”
Colonel Leonard Wood announces that token of words by jargoning, “You must have just missed joining them!”
Lieutenant Sharp makes a gesture saying, “Maybe, we should call them back, right?”
Of course, Colonel Leonard Wood has more than only poison dart frogs to worry about as he says, “Well, there are worse fatalities out there than the poison dart frogs, although we should run the specimens by Rough Rider Nurse Shooter. So she can find a way to treat the Rough Rider soldiers.”
Next Lieutenant Sharp wonders what his orders are at this time asking, “And what are my orders Colonel Wood, sir?”
Right at that time, Colonel Leonard Wood says, “Your orders are to join Lieutenant Greenway and Lieutenant Wright. Continue on working the barricade and work moving it forward a few hundred yards!”
Then Lieutenant Sharp is ready to turn and leave as Colonel Leonard Wood hands Sergeant Ham the poison dart frog specimens saying, “Take these to Rough Rider Nurse Shooter and return!”
Lieutenant Sharp says his salute lightly saying, “Colonel Wood, sir!”
In the duration, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo is watching from afar off as the Rough Rider patrol unit led under General Bill Shafter makes their round. So far, they have been moving very slowly making sure that they don’t run in to any booby traps along the way.
The Filipino Goddess Bamboo also has some of the young Freedom Fighter rebels with her as she says to one of them, “Looks like they sent out a Rough Rider patrol unit to search and check out the area.”
The young Freedom Fighter rebel makes a remark to the Filipino Goddess Bamboo mocking, “I getting hungry; like very hungry!”
The Filipino Goddess Bamboo questions the young Freedom Fighter rebel like she was a coach of a football team or maybe one of her own as she asks, “And what are you going to do to cure your hunger!”
The young Freedom Fighter rebel looks at the Filipino Goddess Bamboo with a look in his eyes as he replies, “I am going to see if those Rough Rider soldiers have anything for me to eat!”
Next another young Freedom Fighter makes the initiative adding, “How about I tag along and come with you; I’m really hungry for some food and some leather cowboys too!”
And while on the patrol as a unit, Rough Rider Danny notices some sugar crops up ahead saying, “Looks like some sugar crops!”
Lieutenant Pollack sees some Filipino farmers who seem to want to try and avoid them as much as possible as he says, “And there are some of the Filipino farmers harvesting their sugar cane, I suppose!”
General Bill Shafter makes a comment as the Filipino farmers turn and walk the other way as though they aren’t interested in anything of the sort. Many of the Rough Riders stand there with their rifles ready for action regardless of whatsoever if something were to happen anytime.
Then as sort of a joking gesture Rough Rider Billy Boy makes a comment saying, “Maybe they have seen Lieutenant Sharp since he went AWOL!”
The other Rough Riders laugh, although they have no idea that he has already returned to the Rough Rider camp with something special nonetheless. Then Rough Rider Mike makes a comment saying, “Yeah, right!”
Following that line of dialogue, Lieutenant Pollack feels that Lieutenant Sharp probably has a good explanation returning with, “I’m sure Lieutenant Sharp will turn up somewhere sometime!”
Of course, Black Rough Rider Private Marcus sticks up for his commanding officer saying, “Sure Lieutenant Sharp will show back up!”
Then Rough Rider Danny makes a derogatory statement saying to them all, “Yeah right; he’s probably on his way back to the Hawaiian Islands right now and then he will head back to Cuba where he is from to hide out!”
Next Rough Rider Christopher has something to say in the other direction by adding something hypothetical telling the Rough Riders, “Better yet; he probably went AWOL and is hiding out somewhere in the Philippines with some Filipino babes while we all are out here screwing around for some far away sugar crops!”
Finally General Bill Shafter makes a command saying, “Alright; enough with the hassle and tassel with Lieutenant Sharp going AWOL and having a vacation while he’s missing or hiding out!”
Following those commands Black Rough Rider Private Greg makes a gesture about the Filipino farmers saying, “I think we are wasting our time with these Filipino farmers here now!”
Suddenly General Bill Shafter decides that they should follow orders and inspect closer to the Filipino farming villages by saying, “Now we have to follow orders by inspecting these nearby Filipino farming villages. When we see some mercenaries or any signs of militia, we will engage in a confrontation!”
Lieutenant Pollack makes a bold statement saying, “I’m ready for anything out of the ordinary as far as running in to any Filipino forces is concerned!”
General Bill Shafter sees some villages and huts on the other side of the sugar crop as he says, “Now let’s approach those villages on the other side of this sugar crop!”
Rough Rider Billy Boy asks slightly, “You mean to where those Filipino farmers scrambled off to?”
General Bill Shafter answers back lightly, “Yes, and on the double!”
Right away, the patrol unit of Rough Riders begins to march their way through the sugar crops towards the villages that are established on the other side. And as the villages appear closer and closer, so does a couple of young Freedom Fighters that are making their way closer to the group of Rough Rider soldiers.
Rough Rider Christopher is the first to make his eye contact with the two young Freedom Fighters as they approach closer and closer as he says, “Hey look!”
At that moment, all of the Rough Riders of the patrol unit turn to make their eye contact with the two young Freedom Fighters. At first, the Rough Riders can only stereotype them in their minds immediately. And reluctantly, they seem like they mean no harm.
And then the young Freedom Fighters approach while lifting their hands up like they are hungry wanting to be fed or something like that or other. In fact, they both even place their hands towards their mouths like they are begging for food nonetheless.
Right away, Black Rough Rider Private Marcus makes a slight comment regarding them by shooting out some words, “Looks like a couple of young Filipino children!”
Following that comment, Black Rough Rider Private Greg says as a remark, “And they are hungry begging for something to eat!”
By that time, one of the newcomer Rough Rider soldiers makes a comment as he gets a little bit closer by walking their way. And when he does he acts like he is reaching for something in his back pack as though he was grabbing some food out.
Then the newcomer Rough Rider makes a jargoning line by saying to his fellow Rough Rider soldiers, “They are only children; it won’t hurt to give them anything to eat!”
Seconds later, the newcomer Rough Rider pulls out some beef jerky that he had bought from his own commissary like any real frontiersman would do. He holds it out towards them as the young Filipino Freedom Fighters approach closer and closer like they want to take the compliments from him.
Right at that time, General Bill Shafter decides to order and coach him back away from the young Filipino children by commanding, “Now fall back soldier!”
Lieutenant Pollack makes a similar instruction wising, “At ease soldier!”
Finally the newcomer Rough Rider makes another quote like statement cantering, “Come on; they’re harmless children!”
Then suddenly one of the young Filipino Freedom Fighters lays down both of his hands. He performs this act as he reaches quickly behind his back returning with a six shooter revolver. And in repetition the other young Filipino Freedom Fighters follows suit by laying down both of his hands and reaching behind his back.
And before the newcomer Rough Rider could even take a bite out of his own beef jerky, a shot is fired hitting the newcomer Rough Rider in the left arm as he scrambles quickly for cover. Now all of the Rough Riders of the patrol unit take cover as the second shot hits the newcomer Rough Rider in the right leg as he falls to the ground dropping his rifle.
The first Rough Rider to make any noises whatsoever is Lieutenant Pollack as he dives towards some sugar canes yelling, “Take cover!”
Quickly the two young Filipino Freedom Fighters take another fired shot each as they aim for Rough Rider dodging bullets as though they were dodge ball with their worst enemies. Luckily the fired shots miss, although Rough Rider Billy Boy was nearly skimmed of a bullet that nearly missed his head.
Immediately all of the Rough Riders have scrimmaged from the line of death for cover as the two young Filipino Freedom Fighters scurry off. Soon Rough Rider Christopher and Rough Rider Danny take a fired shot from their rifles which whiz through the sugar canes popping off debris as they take head.
General Bill Shafter returns a shot of his own that skims the top of the sugar canes with no luck of hitting its intended target as he yells out, “Missed dammit!”
But it didn’t take too long for the young Filipino Freedom Fighters to make a distance away quickly. And as they continue running farther out the sounds of their running is still faintly heard. Soon they meet up with some of the other young Freedom Fighters who were waiting nearby by some grass hut like farming shacks as they all reunite together.
One of the young Freedom Fighters says something really lightly to the others who have been waiting by gabbing, “I shot one of them!”
The other young Filipino Freedom Fighter says to the others waiting, “I think I missed; I’m not too sure!”
By now the others start to run along with the others as a group by saying, “Let’s go!”
Another one calls out running, “Yeah, let’s get out of here!”
And only a slight distance further away as she is waiting for some action, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo says softly to some of the other young Filipino Freedom Fighters she is preparing for further actions, “And the first shots have rang out!”
Further away, in the trenches of Manila, Emilio Aguinaldo says to some of the other Freedom Fighters standing nearby, “I hope they like the welcoming parties!”
At this time, General Bill Shafter orders Black Rough Rider Private Greg to carry the newcomer Rough Rider back to the Rough Rider camp scrambling out words, “Rough Rider Private Greg; I want you to return back to the Rough Rider camp with our injured soldier! And stay at camp waiting until we return!”
Black Rough Rider Private Greg says back saluting, “Yes, General Shafter, sir!”
Next Rough Rider Christopher wonders what they are going to do now by asking General Bill Shafter or maybe everyone in unison, “Now what are we going to do now that they got away!”
Of course, General Bill Shafter can only look in to the direction they ran along with the direction the farmers walked off answering back, “We’re going to march over to those farming shacks and see if those Filipino children and or farmers are hiding out there!”
Lieutenant Pollack makes a quickened command saying, “Let’s go; you heard the General!”
Rough Rider Billy Boy is the first to make a comment to some of the other Rough Riders near him saying, “Great; I feel like I’m about to march in to some booby trap waiting for us!”
Meanwhile Rough Rider Greg has quickly carried the newcomer Rough Rider over his shoulders. He transported him while carrying his rifle in one hand back to the Rough Rider camp. And as soon as he is returning, some of his newcomer Rough Rider friend’s faces see Black Rough Rider Private Greg make the rescue.
One of them yells out to Lieutenant Greenway who is pushing the boundaries of the barricade further out calling, “Hey look; a couple of the patrol unit is returning!”
Lieutenant Greenway looks and so does Lieutenant Wright along with Lieutenant Sharp who had left and returned unharmed luckily. So far, it seems that Black Rough Rider Private Greg is handling the job, although he is sort of dragging his rifle and his backpack is falling off crooked like hanging to the side.
Lieutenant Greenway makes an order to some of the Rough Riders, “Let’s help bring them back in to camp!”
Quickly a few Rough Riders cross out past the barricade to help Black Rough Rider Private Greg as they take some of the slack from carrying him while one also grabs his rifle and then his backpack that is hanging barely on to his right shoulder.
It takes some time to get the wounded Rough Rider soldier across to the other side of the barricade, although he is brought about smoothly. Meanwhile Colonel Leonard Wood approaches after hearing the commotions from outside of the Official Post considering that everyone was so loudly shaken.
As he approaches, Colonel Leonard Wood says as a command, “Bring him in to the emergency tent ASAP!”
Quickly Black Rough Rider Private Greg is able to take a load off while some of the other Rough Rider soldiers continue carrying the wounded newcomer Rough Rider in to the emergency tent. Then at about that time, Lieutenant Greenway gets worried about the patrol unit saying, “And what about the patrol unit; they had an encounter and were attacked!”
Right away, Colonel Leonard Wood approaches Black Rough Rider Private Greg only to ask about what happened querying, “What had happened Rough Rider Private Greg.”
Straight forth Black Rough Rider Private Greg thinks back to what the circumstances were earlier as he replies to Colonel Leonard Wood’s question, “The patrol unit was following the trail of some Chinese looking farmers when suddenly some young Filipino children approached as though they were begging for food!”
Black Rough Rider Private Greg pauses for a moment to catch his breath as Colonel Leonard Wood asks once again, “And?”
Right then, as Black Rough Rider Private Greg takes another breath, he says back to the many Rough Riders also listening, “They approached us with their hands out begging for food like they were hungry and they were just waiting for one of the Rough Riders to come closer with some food!”
Next Lieutenant Greenway tries to solve the puzzles of the story by saying quickly, “And they surprised the patrol unit by pulling out a pistol and opening fire?”
Black Rough Rider Private Greg can only agree with what Lieutenant Greenway is saying by realizing the truth of the matter saying, “Yes, and then they pulled out a gun and opened fire on us as we all had run for cover within the sugar crops like running targets!”
And while also listening, Lieutenant Wright asks with an ear for the entire situation, “And then what happened to the patrol unit?”
Finally Black Rough Rider Private Greg finishes the rest of the story by saying, “And then they turned around and ran towards some grass hut like farming shacks that were at the far end of the sugar crops. And then General Bill Shafter commanded me to return with the wounded Rough Rider!”
Lastly Lieutenant Sharp has a question to ask since nothing makes sense to him, even though he has made no sense to the Rough Rider unit asking, “And then what command did he give the patrol unit?”
In conclusion to what he had last said, Black Rough Rider Private Greg announces further on about the outcomes of things saying, “And then as I lifted the wounded Rough Rider over my shoulder, General Bill Shafter commanded the patrol unit to move forward heading to the grass hut like sugar crop shacks!”
Just then, Sergeant Ham makes a remark about the situation saying candidly, “I bet the patrol unit is making their way to the other side of those sugar crops right now!”
Surely Black Rough Rider Private Greg has a rebuttal about what Sergeant Ham said countering, “And they are outnumbered about two to one while they are out there patrolling!”
At that time, Lieutenant Sharp grunts as Lieutenant Wright thinks about putting another patrol unit together saying, “Let’s put another patrol unit together!”
But only to disagree with Lieutenant Wright, Colonel Leonard Wood makes his command for the war preparation planning saying, “No, that is risky right now; let’s push that boundary line further out!”
Meanwhile the Filipino Goddess Bamboo is watching as the patrol unit reaches the grass hut like sugar crop shacks saying, “Looks like the patrol unit is working their way this way!”
Next one of the young Freedom Fighters can only react to her abiding by instructing his idol, “Don’t worry; I think we can pull another trick from out of our sleeve!”
By now, the patrol unit has made their way to the farming structures while there are a few Chinese farmers working some sugar crops perhaps. But they are trying to act like they are relaxing while the patrol unit reaches their way closer to them.
Lieutenant Pollack wonders what they should say to them by indicating to the other Rough Riders, “They look Chinese; do you think they speak English?”
Of course, General Bill Shafter has no idea about the Chinese language, although he knows some Spanish nonetheless as he says, “I doubt they speak English or they will act like they don’t. Besides they look like a Hong Kong type of Chinese farmers!”
Lieutenant Pollack asks some of the other Rough Riders querying, “Do any of you Rough Riders speak Chinese?”
Rough Rider Danny makes a remark saying, “I doubt they speak English; but I bet they understand Cantonese or Mandarin perhaps!”
Rough Rider Billy Boy says, “And what the heck kind of Chinese language is that you’re blabbing about?”
Rough Rider Danny says to add some knowledge saying, “They are a form of the Chinese language that is well spoken in Beijing, China!”
Immediately General Bill Shafter commands Rough Rider Danny and all of his cowboy brains, “Do you know how to speak Cantonese or Mandarin?”
Straight away Rough Rider Danny answers General Bill Shafter back by telling him, “No, but I can kind understand what they are trying to say sometimes!”
Lieutenant Pollack thinks that that is a start by adding, “Good; then maybe you can try and talk to them!”
General Bill Shafter conducts his own ideas by carrying on with, “Now let’s walk over there and see if we can try and communicate with them in order to get some information.”
Rough Rider Danny asks General Bill Shafter, “I’ll just ask them if they speak any Chinese languages and act like I’m familiar with Cantonese and Mandarin, how’s that?”
Black Rough Rider Private Marcus is ready for some action as he boasts, “Let’s take them on!”
Quickly the patrol unit makes their way closer to the group of Chinese looking farmers who are very much living towards the side of the China Sea. However they don’t seem so pleased at their arrival and are acting indifferent as they approach very steadily like.
Lieutenant Pollack is the first to say something trying to catch their attention by calling out as one of the Chinese farmers walks the other way yelling, “Hey, come here!”
He also whistles as loud as he can wanting to turn some of the others that are walking the other way wishing to avoid them. After he whistles and blows a loud like screech, a couple of Chinese farmers stop and walk back towards another group that was just sitting down tired from working.
Quickly Rough Ride Danny takes over by asking the Chinese farmers, “Do any of you speak English?”
A few of the Chinese farmers look at one another and talk acting like they don’t know what they are saying trying to refrain from responding mumbling some words. Of course the words are unknown and sound Oriental nonetheless. Finally a few of the other Chinese farmers stop and turn back. They now realize that the Rough Riders are only searching for information.
Then a distance away, one of the Freedom Fighter spies is watching and notices the patrol unit making their way towards the small village. He watches for a few moments and as they approach the Chinese farmers. Then he watches for another moment or so before turning around to leave. By this time, the Rough Riders have entered the small farming village and are ready for questioning.
General Bill Shafter butts in to the interrogation asking, “Do any of you speak Spanish? Hablas Español?”
The Chinese farmers act indifferent once again as some of them look at one another and one says, “No, nosotros hablamos un poco Español!”
General Bill Shafter asks another question in Spanish querying, “De donde eres?”
The Chinese farmer answers back the Rough Riders saying, “Nosotros somos de China!”
He says that as he points towards the China Sea like they aren’t from here and China has something in regards to these lands. Then General Bill Shafter thinks that he has them down pat as he decides to carry on further by asking them another question in Spanish nevertheless.
Meanwhile General Bill Shafter asks another question in Spanish, “Alguno de ustedes es un mercenaries?”
Now the Chinese farmers gets a little more disgruntles by being blamed for being a mercenary by acting like he doesn’t understand those Spanish words of the question saying, “Yo hablo un poco Español!”
However Lieutenant Pollack understands some Spanish as well realizing that the Chinese farmer is coping out as he says, “Come on; we are just wasting our time with them!”
Finally Rough Rider Danny decides to use his planned tactic asking the Chinese farmers out loud, “Do any of you speak Cantonese or Mandarin?”
All of the Chinese farmers look at them as though they don’t understand what Rough Rider Danny is asking them. They stand and sit there while all looking to each other nodding their heads back and forth while talking Chinese anyways. General Bill Shafter starts to think that he is wasting his time with the Chinese farmers as well.
Nevertheless General Bill Shafter decides to ask them another question again probing, “Hablas Cantonese o Mandarin?”
And once again, the Chinese farmers can only look and speak to one another as though they don’t know what they are saying. It seems that they are now playing stupid like they aren’t interested in giving them any information about the Filipino Rebel Forces nonetheless.
Lastly Lieutenant Pollack can only get antsy about having their time wasted as he says, “Come on; we are wasting our time with them!”
During the meantime, Emilio Aguinaldo finds words from the Filipino spies that the patrol unit is interrogating farmers as one Freedom Fighter approaches saying, “General Bill Shafter and his patrol unit are interrogating some Chinese farmers for information!”
Emilio Aguinaldo looks to the Freedom Fighter spy and says, “Good; I doubt they will find out anything about us. Most of the Chinese farmers are too poor to want to do anything and are probably too afraid to say anything and don’t want to jeopardize their crops.”
The Freedom Fighter makes a remark about the status of the Chinese farmers saying in retro, “None of the Chinese farmers have any weaponry anyways that can be found and confiscated!”
Now Emilio Aguinaldo carries on about the Chinese farmers speaking to the Freedom Fighters nearby, “And those weapons are available when it is time for them to join the trenches in order to fight for their culture and way of life as farmers!”
One of the Freedom Fighters adds something to say voicing, “Then they will have their chance at fighting with a rifle rather than a pitch fork as they had in the past!”
Emilio Aguinaldo admits to that by slanging announcing to the Freedom Fighters, “And hopefully it doesn’t come to that!”
Another Freedom Fighter yakking reckons something else along the lines of the topic asking, “It will come to that if our supplies and inventories are wasted and abused!”
By then, Emilio Aguinaldo has more to speculate as he talks while citing, “That’s why the old “American saying” goes as follows, “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes! That’s an “American saying” from the American Revolutionary War on Bunker Hill, I believe!”
Moreover one of the Freedom Fighters realizes that Emilio Aguinaldo has been studying or is studied on the subject of American History while saying, “Sounds like you know something about “American History?”
Lastly Emilio Aguinaldo says some words to buff up the situation contending, “The Americans fought for their freedoms and now they are taking others. I see them as the spoiled children of their forefathers.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Suddenly Colonel Leonard Wood gets a Morse coded message from Commodore Dewey that Sergeant Ham takes head of. It only takes a few moments before the message is given to Colonel Leonard Wood as Sergeant Ham takes the message in order to hand it to him.
Sergeant ham stands closely as Colonel Leonard Wood reads the Morse coded message while saying, “And Commodore Dewey says that the seas surrounding the Philippines are very heavily guarded by the U.S. Naval Forces and that their supply lines are almost entirely cut off!”
Colonel Leonard Wood carries on as follows to Sergeant Ham saying, “That is good news, although many of the supplies are brought over by canoe and smaller fishing boats at night making it hard to cut the forces of Emilio Aguinaldo entirely anyhow for that matter.”
Right then, Sergeant Ham makes a break in the monotony of things declaring, “Yes, but their shipments will be few and far in-between one another!”
In the meantime, Lieutenant Greenway and Lieutenant Wright are working on pushing the line of the barricade further in land. It is a difficult task, although they must fortify their positions before they can continue on with bringing in more U. S. Naval Forces on land.
Lieutenant Greenway makes a command to a few Rough Riders who have been working hard already as he directs them saying, “And let’s push the boundaries a little more about twenty yards from this spot right here.”
A few Rough Rider voices carry on answering back, “Yes, Lieutenant Greenway, and sir!”
Next Lieutenant Sharp commands a few Rough Riders to extend the perimeter of the Rough Rider camp as he says, “And let’s push the barricade a little further right here about fifty yards!”
And at about the same exact time, Lieutenant Wright continues on with his commanding of moving the barricade in order to place some more official army tents as small posts saying, “And let’s push our boundaries a little further right here and we’ll set up an official tent for directing infantry to and from!”
A few Rough Riders begin the rough task as they answer back saying, “Yes, Lieutenant Wright, sir!”
Straight away the Rough Riders continue the task of their command which is to push the barricade further. And that is because many of the Rough Riders soldiers of the 1st Infantry are on the island of Manila in Manila Bay, although there are many more to break ground. And the U.S. Naval Forces doesn’t want a confusing mess on their hands.
However, Colonel Leonard Wood is experienced enough to take the responsibilities of bringing the men on to the grounds of the Philippines safely and honorably. And he has put Lieutenant Greenway in charge of the front lines even though General Bill Shafter will personally give him orders which are merely handed down by Colonel Leonard Wood.
Then a distance away, Emilio Aguinaldo decides to take a closer work at the front lines of the U.S. Naval Forces as he stands a distance away. He walks out in-between to facilities such as industrial complexes that are established outside of the shipyards of Manila Bay. And with a keen eye he can zoom in on certain images, although he can only see some movement as most of the Rough Riders are hidden behind the barricade.
Moments later, after getting a good glimpse of what he is up against, Emilio Aguinaldo turns to head back to one of his temporary Official Posts that has been placed nearby. At that time, Lieutenant Greenway just happens to take a glance at his directive and the direction they are pushing towards.
And momentarily he catches a glance of Emilio Aguinaldo as the gleam disappears as Emilio Aguinaldo passes behind some structures that block his view. And then for a few more moments Lieutenant Greenway continues staring as Lieutenant Wright notices his off stare as he decides to get his attention.
Quickly without saying anything peculiar, Lieutenant Greenway turns to Lieutenant Wright as he says, “The Filipino Forces aren’t too far away!”
Lieutenant Wright asks, “And?”
Lieutenant Greenway says loudly, “I think I just caught a glimpse of that Emilio Aguinaldo!”
Quickly Lieutenant Wright asks Lieutenant Greenway, “Where?”
Lieutenant Sharp asks about the distance, “How far?”
Lieutenant Greenway glances once again in that direction as he says back to Lieutenant Wright, “A few clicks to the east in-between those complexes outside of the shipyards!”
Lieutenant Wright answers back boldly saying, “That’s pretty nearby and close to home!”
Lieutenant Greenway announces back to Lieutenant Wright,” We are pretty nearby and close to their home!”
Next Lieutenant Sharp says something else saying, “We sure aren’t back at home!
Lieutenant Wright makes a comment saying, “Yes, we aren’t back at home and it is their home; but they’ll have to realize that it is our home too also now!”
Lieutenant Greenway feels that it must be time to inform Colonel Leonard Wood that there is Filipino Forces closely by as he says to Lieutenant Wright, “Well, I suppose I’d better inform Colonel Leonard Wood of what I saw and quietly?”
Lieutenant Wright can only return some words agreeing, “Yes, I suppose you’d better inform him before any more time passes and especially with the patrol unit out on a round!”
Right at that moment, Lieutenant Greenway leaves his position in order to inform Colonel Leonard Wood who is further back behind the lines. He is also with Sergeant Ham waiting for the boundaries to be pushed further out in order to send more patrol units out to take more buildings for coverage.
Soon within many seconds, Lieutenant Greenway makes his way back to the position of Colonel Leonard Wood as he approaches saying, “Colonel Wood, sir!”
Colonel Leonard Wood answers Lieutenant Greenway back responding with, “Yes, what is on your mind Lieutenant Greenway!”
Lieutenant Greenway is ready to explain his meeting with Colonel Leonard Wood saying, “I saw some movement from the Filipino Forces a few clicks to the east within some complexes!”
Colonel Leonard Wood was almost certain that they would be nearby somewhere hiding out despite the abandoning of the Manila Bay asking, “That’s the moment I was waiting for! Are you certain any signs of militia?”
Lieutenant Greenway decides to give an explanation about seeing Emilio Aguinaldo in the flesh from a distance saying, “Yes, and I am almost certain that I caught a glimpse of that Filipino Freedom Fighter Leader Emilio Aguinaldo!”
Colonel Leonard Wood asks once again, “Even better; are you certain that it was Emilio Aguinaldo!”
Lieutenant Greenway can only admit that he doesn’t forget a face correlating, “I am certain that it him even though I have only seen a picture of him!”
Then Colonel Leonard Wood pulls out a picture that the U.S. Naval Forces uses for his identity saying as he flips a folder open, “Here’s his picture; are you sure it was this individual!”
Lieutenant Greenway answers back diligently, “Yes, the person in the picture and the man I saw at a distance are the same individual!”
Colonel Leonard Wood makes a command to Lieutenant Greenway saying, “Report back to the front line of the barricade and let’s keep our eyes out for the patrol unit and return them safely.”
At that time, Lieutenant Greenway is ready to head back to the front line of the barricade to push things towards the man he saw in the portrait as he returns his salute, “Yes, Colonel Wood, sir!”
Then Colonel Leonard Wood looks to Sergeant Ham as he says, “Looks like we’ll have to send larger patrol units to take some of these complexes nearby and drive the Filipino Forces back towards their trenches!”
Moments later, another Rough Rider messenger from the U.S. Warship approaches Colonel Leonard Wood saying, “Colonel Wood, sir?”
Colonel Leonard Wood answers back, “Yes, Private!”
The Rough Rider Private messenger from the U.S. Warship says, “Your wife and family have entered your Official Post!”
Right away, Colonel Leonard Wood tells the Rough Rider Private messenger, Thanks Private!”
Colonel Leonard Wood can only say to Sergeant Ham speaking, “I guess because of the circumstances; they couldn’t wait!”
At that time, Colonel Leonard Wood makes his way to his Official Post along with Sergeant Ham. Once he arrives there, his wife, children, and maid are waiting there in the Official Post like they were missing something. It was almost like they were missing all of the action that was happening on the island despite the danger.
First off, Colonel Leonard Wood’s wife Louise Wood says, “Sorry, Colonel Wood, sir but we were worried about some of the things the men on the Warships were talking about!”
Momentarily Colonel Leonard Wood feels that they should have waited for his authorization and approval, although he shrugs it off more or less like saying, “It is getting pretty dangerous around here on land. We need to have more time to move more forces in to the Rough Rider camp. You should have waited a little longer for my request!”
Then Louise Wood brushes things on off on the rest of the family saying, “But the children and the maid were getting worried!”
Finally Colonel Leonard Wood commands the family to stay in the back room of the Official Post saying to his wife Louise Wood, “Alright, but you can’t leave the Official Post until we stabilize our efforts. There is a back room that can be used as a living quarters.”
And then, Louise Wood walks to the back room to take a quick look as she says, “Looks like this was an easy take!”
And following that remark, Colonel Leonard Wood says in response to that comment imploring, “Yes, it was too easy to march in here like that!”
The maid makes a comment saying something as she brings some bags to the back room slurring, “It’s almost like the Filipino Freedom Fighters left you a hotel reservation to let the U.S. Naval Forces march in like this!”
Next Colonel Leonard Wood brings some bad news forth telling them all, “Yes, well the Filipino Forces aren’t too far away!”
And then Louise Wood wonders how far away the Filipino Forces are asking, “And how far away are the Filipino Forces.”
Colonel Leonard Wood answers his wife’s question explaining the details saying, “The Filipino Forces are only a few clicks to the east hiding near some facilities or industrial complexes. Lieutenant Greenway believes that he caught a glimpse of the Freedom Fighter Leader Emilio Aguinaldo at a distance.”
Next Louise Wood talks about what the family had heard on the Warship as she contends jargoning, “On the Warship there was talk about there being an attack of some kind or other.”
Right away, Colonel Leonard Wood agrees with her knowledge of the truth to the matter as he says back to his wife, “Yes, there was an attack, although it was with blow darts with some poisonous frog venoms!”
Then the maid makes a comment saying, “Sounds like they are having troubles with their ammunitions supplies!”
Finally Louise Wood makes remark saying back as a conversation to the entire topic saying, “And they are able to resort to other means of arming themselves such as with darker forces.”
In conclusion to what has all been said, Colonel Leonard wood changes the subject to the patrol unit who is out there amongst the Filipino Forces on the other side of the enemy lines saying, “And we have a patrol unit that General Bill Shafter and Lieutenant Pollack have taken out needing to return!”
Louise Wood makes a short subtle remark, “And they are still out there!”
Colonel Leonard Wood makes another statement carrying on with, “And there was one casualty!”
Afterwards Louise Wood says in response to what was said, “Yes, I heard one Rough Rider was shot and wounded!”
Colonel Leonard Wood makes a solemn quote, “My word travels fast amongst those warships!”
Louise Wood agrees to what her husband has said by concluding, “Yes, word does travel fast on the warship especially with everyone being eager to win the Philippine War!”
By now, the patrol unit has made their way around from the way they left towards the enemy line near the complexes. They have made their way to the facilities and complexes where Lieutenant Greenway has thought that he had caught a glance at the Freedom Fighter Leader Emilio Aguinaldo.
And as they approach the complexes, General Bill Shafter sees a few Freedom Fighters standing towards the edge of one of the buildings smoking a cigar. Then there are some voices heard. Voices which sound like some of the Freedom Fighters are chit chatting away about some topics.
He sees their military uniforms and realizes that they are nonetheless, Freedom Fighters as he says to the other Rough Riders, “Stop! There’s a group of Freedom Fighters on the other side of that building at our nine o’clock position!”
All of the Rough Riders of the patrol unit stop and look as they all try to take cover within the trees of the Philippine forests that occupy most of the islands. Now they are all eager to go the other direction realizing that they are no match for the Freedom Fighters with so few men in the patrol unit.
Lieutenant Pollack is the next one to make a comment about that saying, “Well, they didn’t see us and let’s keep it that way!”
Black Rough Rider Private Marcus wonders if they can take the Freedom Fighters saying, “Do you think we can take them all?”
Then Lieutenant Pollack returns with words saying, “No, there could be too many of them!”
Soon Rough Rider Billy Boy sees a few more Freedom Fighters next to another further away building within the complex of buildings as he says, “Hey, there are some other Freedom Fighters over to our eleven o’clock position checking out and looking at the barricade!”
General Bill Shafter discloses some more information from his observations of the Freedom Fighters saying, “Looks like they are just waiting for some reason!”
Rough Rider Danny can only bring on the smarts as he says, “Maybe they are waiting for reinforcements?”
Black Rough Rider Private Marcus brings on the guts and blood attitude by blundering, “Well, we are going to have to confront and counter them Freedom Fighters sooner or later!”
Then more Freedom Fighters are seen making their way towards the complexes of buildings as General Bill Shafter conveys the truth to the matter equivocating, “It’s apparent that we are extremely outnumbered more than five to one if not more than that with this small of a patrol unit!”
Rough Rider Christopher says, “We ought to bring the entire U.S. Naval Forces as one patrol unit!”
Rough Rider Mike agrees to that even though he hasn’t said much as he blats, “I thought that was what the plan was and that was what we are doing?”
Lieutenant Pollack decides that they have had a look around enough realizing the odds as he advocates, “Let’s return back to camp; we are going to need more Rough Rider men!”
General Bill Shafter can’t disagree with the words of Lieutenant Pollack as he returns with words approving, “I agree to that!”
Then one of the Freedom Fighters just happens to glance their way for a second as they all notice as Rough Rider Christopher says, “One of the Freedom Fighters is looking over this way!”
Then the Freedom Fighters points his finger like he had seen something perhaps as he points to the tree lines that are hiding them. The Rough Rider patrol unit tries desperately to hide as though they were forming an ambush, although the Freedom Fighter catches the attention of a few other Freedom Fighters. One of the other Freedom Fighters waves his observations away as they are all focusing their attentions to the front lines.
Soon the Freedom Fighters all gain their attention back to some other Freedom Fighters who have arrived to form an alliance. Soon they are all brought together by Emilio Aguinaldo who starts talking and pointing to different areas against the lines of the U.S. Naval Forces.
At this time, the Filipino Goddess Bamboo has reunited with some of her young Freedom Fighters as she looks to them with some satisfaction and some disappointment nonetheless. Many of them are still out on the field though despite her efforts to pull things back together in a more organized fashion so to speak.
Finally the Filipino Goddess Bamboo has a few young Freedom Fighters have returned without doing any damage as she lectures them saying, “You have failed your homeland!”
Then another young Freedom Fighters can only seem very outlandish about trying to hit the Rough Rider camp as he says, “It’s impossible with all of the Rough Rider watching out for another attack!”
Soon the young Freedom Fighter rebel and the other Freedom Fighter return that had made contact with the patrol unit while the Filipino Goddess Bamboo is finishing her lecture saying, “Don’t fail your country the next time!”
The young Freedom Fighter rebel returns with his accomplices explaining, “Man, we really nailed that patrol unit!”
The young Freedom Fighter partner describes the aftermath saying, “Boy, we really had to get out of there and make a run for it!”
Finally the Filipino Goddess Bamboo like what she is hearing by carrying on with words saying, “Now that is what I’m talking about; and that sounds more like it. And we all heard the gun shots ring out!”
The outlandish young Freedom Fighter tries to convince the Filipino Goddess Bamboo by returning with words saying, “There was only one patrol unit sent out anyways!”
Then he pairs up with a few additional young Freedom Fighters who all walk away ready to take another whack at the plan as one says, “We went to a different area anyways and we couldn’t get that close to the enemy line anyhow!”
Then his friend young Freedom Fighter says as they leave the scene, “Let’s go wait look for that patrol unit before they make it back to the Rough Rider camp.”
Meanwhile as the Filipino Goddess Bamboo was watching their talking of discontent, she turns to the successful young rebel Freedom Fighters as she speaks saying, “Now go out there and help them find and finish off that patrol unit before they return back to the Rough Rider camp!”
At this time, the patrol unit is still watching the Freedom Fighters within the complex. They continue doing this as Emilio Aguinaldo uses his sense to sniff out the patrol unit even though they are hiding. So far, Emilio Aguinaldo keeps talking to one of his leaders as the leader listens to Emilio Aguinaldo and turns that way with a smile towards their direction.
Then he turns back to Emilio Aguinaldo as Emilio Aguinaldo says to him, “We need to do something about that patrol unit watching us; they think I don’t have eyes all the way around my head!”
Then one of the leaders Emilio Aguinaldo’s Freedom Fighters makes a signal to some of the armed Freedom Fighters as General Bill Shafter notices saying, “It’s time that we slip on out of here!”
Slowly one by one the Rough Rider patrol unit sneaks and slips off as a few Freedom Fighters make their way towards them with their rifles drawn in flanking positions. Immediately Emilio Aguinaldo notices a few scurries through the tree lines off to his twelve o’clock positioning.
Soon the armed Freedom Fighters make their way to where the patrol unit was, although they have already left. Yet the sounds of their marching away are heard. Then the armed Freedom Fighters turn around and signal Emilio Aguinaldo that they see and found nothing but some tracks as one lifts up some broken tree limbs.
Emilio Aguinaldo looks to some of his comrades while saying, “We’ll spare them for the patrol unit for the front lines!”
Now that the patrol unit has created some space being them and the forces of Emilio Aguinaldo, General Bill Shafter says to the other Rough Riders of the patrol unit, “That was a close call, huh?”
Lieutenant Pollack comes up with some dialogue saluting his Rough Rider hat to the situation contending, “It was almost like they knew we were there and were waiting for the right moment to turn on us!”
Rough Rider Mike feels that they ought to hurry up and return back to the Rough Rider camp while saying as a gesture, “We’d better return back to the Rough Rider camp for reinforcements, I suppose!”
Next Rough Rider Christopher feels like that is a great idea saying, “Yes, that sounds like a plan before we get ambushed!”
Rough Rider Billy Boy has a different perspective on the matter schilling, “Or before we run in to any more of those freaky youngster Freedom Fighters, huh?”
Rough Rider Danny says quickly, “If that is what you call them all?”
Right away, General Bill Shafter leads the way along a stretch of trees that creates a way back to the Rough Rider camp as he beckons, “Hurry up, this way!”
Then Lieutenant Pollack says afterwards, “The Rough Rider camp should only be about a few hundred yards from here to the east!”
Just then Rough Rider Mike says, “We went a good distance away from the Rough Rider camp!”
Finally Lieutenant Greenway is working on the line while keeping an eye out for the patrol unit considering that Colonel Leonard Wood wouldn’t allow another patrol unit to search and rescue. Nevertheless the other Lieutenants such as Lieutenant Wright and Lieutenant Sharp are doing the same while building up the Rough Rider camp.
Soon Rough Rider John Porter is sitting out watching the progress, even though he is only allowed to keep a watch out rather than do any actual hard labor. And while sitting out he has a pair of binoculars that are keeping him fairly preoccupied nonetheless. In fact, he has been looking for any signs of the enemies, but there are lots of civilians around and mostly they are looking out for militia.
Then one of the new faced Rough Rider notices someone looking out of one of the windows of the Official Post and asks, “And who is that Kilroy peeping tom like dude staring out of the window of Colonel Leonard Wood’s Office?”
Right away, Rough Rider John Porter turns and looks and says, “Oh, he is Colonel Leonard Wood’s personal War Correspondent Richard Harding!”
Then the new faced Rough Rider asks another question querying, “And why does he stare over here and then turn back the other way?”
Next Rough Rider John Porter can only explain how War Correspondent Richard Harding is by saying, “He is probably taking notes on everything that he sees. Basically, all he does is act like a news reporter slash journalist gone eccentric!”
Then inside the Official Post, Louise Wood hears the sounds of scribbling coming from another room. And when she looks she sees the name plate on the door that says, “War Correspondent Office” and looks like someone only nailed a name plate to the door. Then she decides to ask her husband Colonel Leonard Wood who is standing there next to Sergeant Ham designing more of layout of how things should turn out.
Finally after another moment or so, Louise Wood asks, “You put your War Correspondent Richard Harding in his own personal little office?”
Colonel Leonard Wood answers his wife back saying, “Yes, this way he can keep writing and catching up on his journalism while we are setting up the Rough Rider camp!”
Right away, Louise Wood decides to open the door and lo and behold there is War Correspondent Richard Harding writing about the patrol unit and the attacks that have happened recently. Of course, War Correspondent Richard Harding looks up for a second and then back down to his writing curriculum.
Straight away Louise Wood can only say what’s on her mind stating, “I thought I heard some hard scribbling!”
Immediately War Correspondent Richard Harding answers back saying, “Yes, there are lots of circumstances to write and report, especially with all that has been happening with the setting up of the Rough Rider camp!”
Then Louise Wood talks about the attack saying, “Yes, I heard about the attacks and became worried and we just couldn’t wait any longer.”
War Correspondent Richard Harding can only say responding to that, “Yes, I still have some journalism to write about the attacks as well. It has been pretty unpredictable around here even though we didn’t hear too much!”
Then Colonel Leonard Wood enters the War Correspondent Office with some more of his paperwork and says, “This addition will be enough writing for the day!”
Then as Colonel Leonard Wood leaves War Correspondent Richard Harding makes a comment to Louise Wood saying, “Looks like it will be a while before I can hit the field and interview any more of the Rough Rider victims of the attack!”
Louise Wood exits the War Correspondent Office saying, “Well, I’ll let you get back to your work!”
Then after closing the door of the War Correspondent Office, Louise Wood walks back to one of the table and leans against it saying, “It sounds like you haven’t let him go around the Rough Rider camp much!”
Colonel Leonard Wood realizes how that will change as he returns with words to his Rough Rider wife, “There haven’t been too much going on except for the setting up the Rough Rider camp and a few surprise skirmishes!”
Then Louise Wood asks her husband, “Then I guess it will be a while before everything and everyone is settled in, I suppose?”
Lastly Colonel Leonard Wood responds, “The Rough Riders will never be settled in until this entire Philippine-American War is completely over with.”
In the meantime, Lieutenant Greenway can’t help but drift his eyes off towards the area where he thought he had seen Emilio Aguinaldo. He has nevertheless caught his glimpses falling on some bodies that also appear to be of the militia. However the patrol unit is out and they will have to wait until the patrol unit returns from their patrol of the nearby areas.
But then again, Lieutenant Wright has been looking in that area as well wondering if what Lieutenant Greenway says is true. And that is that Emilio Aguinaldo and his Freedom Fighters are indeed close by waiting for an ambush. Or they are waiting for the front line to be formed and then he will appear with his army like in the early Bible days with the many war stories that are recorded in history.
Accordingly, on the other hand, there have been a few attacks which means that the Filipino Rebels are resorting to means of Guerilla Warfare which is to hide and ambush your enemy. And the fact can’t be forgotten that the Philippine people are using Filipino children to their advantage by having them approach their enemies unhandily so to speak.
Soon Lieutenant Wright notices that the patrol unit has come in to their sights as he says to Lieutenant Greenway, who is only a short distance away calling out, “Hey look!”
Right away, Lieutenant Greenway looks towards Lieutenant Wright and the direction that he is looking at. And at the same exact time, Lieutenant Sharp does the same by looking in the direction the patrol unit is coming from as he notices them quickly marching and returning back. So far, the searching of the nearby area from the patrol unit has come to a sudden end.
Then Lieutenant Wright says something else a loud as he calls out, “It’s the patrol unit!”
It doesn’t take long before other Rough Rider soldiers look and notice that the patrol unit is nearing a bend in the tree lines as they make their way closer to the Rough Rider camp. Many of the Rough Riders run out towards them while squatting down just in case there are any snipers in the area. However most of their days have been that way since the silent night attacks that distressed the 1st Calvary.
At first, one of the Rough Rider new comers calls out loudly screeching, “Hey, the Rough Rider patrol unit has returned!”
Soon the Rough Rider patrol unit makes their way only a few many yards from the barricade between where Lieutenant Wright and Lieutenant Sharp are working on the barricade perimeter. Many of the members of the Rough Rider patrol unit are met with their comrades who help them by taking some gear off of their hands to lighten their load upon their return. A distance away the young Freedom Fighters approach noticing the patrol unit returning to the Rough Rider camp.
The first to speak is General Bill Shafter who says to Lieutenant Wright upon crossing in to the Rough Rider boundaries as he says, “Well, that concludes our patrol of the nearby areas!”
And still a distance away, some of the young Freedom Fighters arrive late as they notice the patrol unit talking to the other Rough Riders while unloading their gear. They all stop and keep cover while watching and realizing that they had returned to late and that the Rough Rider patrol unit was always on the move regardless of the circumstances.
The young Freedom Fighter rebel looks to the Rough Rider camp and then the others as he says to them all, “Looks like we arrived too late!”
Then his partner, who is another young Freedom Fighter, walks away considering that he is ready to camp out for the night to play the waiting game by saying, “Let’s all camp out for the night!”
Another one agrees to that camping overnight next to the Rough Rider camp saying, “I’m up for that?”
Black Rough Rider Private Greg approaches slowly. He approaches while still considering that he was uninjured and only tired from carrying one of their own as they return back to the Rough Rider camp from being shot. As he approaches the Rough Rider patrol unit, he says to General Bill Shafter asking, “Have you discovered anything?”
Right then and there, General Bill Shafter looks back towards the complexes of buildings as he says back to Black Rough Rider Private Greg replying, “Yes, we ran in to some farmers at the other end of the sugar crop in those grass hut shacks!”
Next Lieutenant Pollack breaks in to the conversation by adding, “And then we made our way over towards those complexes of buildings and ran in to some Filipino Forces which were mobilizing their efforts and building their supply lines.”
Lieutenant Sharp cuts in to the conversation as he approaches saying, “Yes, Lieutenant Greenway had caught sight of some of the Filipino Forces between two of the buildings of complexes!”
And as Lieutenant Greenway approaches the patrol unit, Lieutenant Wright says to them all, “And we believe that Emilio Aguinaldo isn’t too far from here along with his Freedom Fighters!”
Lieutenant Greenway says to stick up for his gut feelings saying, “It was him; I could bet on it!”
General Bill Shafter wonders if Colonel Leonard Wood realizes that saying, “Have you informed Colonel Leonard Wood of the circumstances!”
Lieutenant Greenway informs General Bill Shafter of his meeting with Colonel Leonard Wood of the situation explaining, “Yes, I have met with Colonel Leonard Wood about what I had seen as far as Emilio Aguinaldo’s presence between the two buildings and he ordered us to continue building the barricade regardless of any other circumstances.”
Finally General Bill Shafter thinks about how they need to send out larger patrol units saying, “The next time I put together a patrol unit; it ought to be an entire platoon of Rough Rider men!”
Lieutenant Sharp makes a mockery of the situation by indicating, “The entire 1st Calvary will wind up going out as one patrol unit so that we aren’t outnumbered!”
Next General Bill Shafter decides to order the Lieutenants to continue as Colonel Leonard Wood ordered them to build the barricade further inland as he says, “Let’s get back to building the barricade and push our way to the enemy lines and quickly!”
Hurriedly Lieutenant Greenway answers back as he sets right back in to the actions of working on the barricade, “Yes, General Shafter, sir!”
Also Lieutenant Wright and Lieutenant Sharp wind up doing the same as they both answer back accordingly saying, “Yes, General Shafter, sir!”
But before anyone of them starts working, Lieutenant Greenway takes another look towards the complexes of buildings thinking about what he had seen previously. And then Lieutenant Pollack approaches Lieutenant Greenway as he is ready to help out. It seems that the nearby death experiences, even though he is coined the term “Dead Indian” have struck his soft spot so to speak.
Lastly Lieutenant Pollack says to Lieutenant Greenway, “Looks like you could use a pair of hands to help out!”
Lieutenant Greenway agrees to the help from Lieutenant Pollack’s hands as he answers back, “Sure, I could use all of the help I can get around here!”
Below is a link to "The Filipino Dispute" subpage 3.