Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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THE OLLA PODR1DA and, casting a glance at the captive to see if he was secure, they squatted down with the box between them. Having opened it, the first thing they saw was a large, handsome bottle of alcohol, which Dick ' s brother, Bob, had sent him to preservesome of the bug family in. One ot the Filipinos pulled forth the cork, smelled of it, and drank nearly a gill of the spirit. Apparently satisfied with it, he smacked his lips, and took another draught of it. He then passed it to the other, who drank it with delight. Impossible as it may seem, it was nevertheless true, for the throats and stomachs of the Filipinos have become so burned with arrack, that alcohol seemed mild to them . At first Dick was filled with anger at seeing his Christmas box broken into and its treasures handled by such hands. But soon this feeling turned into one of astonishment when he saw them drink the alcohol. Very quickly Dick felt hope revive and saw an early escape from his prison, for both the guards had become in- sensible from the strong spirit. Tugging and straining at his bonds, Dick at last was free. Cautiously drawing a keen-edged bolo knife from one of the sleeping Filipinos, he cut a slit in the back of the hut. Taking his precious box in one hand and the bolo knife in the other, Dick crawled out of the hut and hastened into the forest. Dick hid his box near a giant breadfruit tree, a peer among his fellows, and stood within its shelter. Knowing it was utterly impossible to attempt to rescue the others by himself alone, he resolved to find the rest of the company and bring aid. Dick knew that their camp lay in an northeastern direction. After several futile attempts, Dick caught a large firefly, and by its light, he was enabled to see his compass, which fortunately he had with him, and thus set off in the right direction. The rain descended in torrents, and every tree was a fountain. Dense forests separated Dick from the other camp, and no distinct road led through the forest. Yet Dick set off bravely, though he knew Giant Fever lurked in every turn and corner of the forest, seeking to ensnare the unwary traveler. Drenched to the skin, impeded by creepers and great snarled roots, often losing his way, yet Dick struggled on courageously. Once stuck in a marsh, another time entwined by giant creep- ers, Dick nearly despaired, but the thought of his country, his home, and Helen, spurred him on. Once indeed Dick thought it was his last moment, when suddenly two glaring eyes of a wild-cat faced him, but he gave a shrill yell, and the beast, flighted, fled. At last, after three hours of terrible walking, Dick saw, gleaming through the forest like beacon fires on a rocky shore, the camo fires of the boys in blue. With renewed cour- age, Dick struggled on, and as he staggered past the sentinel, having given the password, into camp, he cried out: Boys, the Tagals have risen, and all the rest are prisoners! Rescue them! Nature could stand no more, and Dick fell into the arms of his captain. As soon as he revived, Dick insisted on telling the whole story and describing state of affairs at the other camp. When he had finished, the soldiers- cheered him, but they were so angry, that if there had been a village of Tagals near the camp, the enraged soldiers would have killed them to a man. Ra pid preparations were made for a hasty march to the other camp. They made Dick ride the only horse in camp, despite his insisting that he was all right and that he was no baby. They set off through the downpour of rain about midnight, following an irregular path. Twice was the way lost and the boys found themselves attempting to cross a marsh. Be- ing thus delayed, it was nearly three o ' clock when thev arrived in the vicinity of the camp. Cautiously they surrounded the village in the dark, placing themselves in the shadows of the forest. The natives seemed to keep no watch, feeling perfectly safe from attacks, for Dick ' s escape was yet unknown. Captain, whispered Dick, may I free my friend as soon as I get in camp? Certainly, Dick, responded his friendly captain, we can take care of the Tagals, but

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6 THE OLL A PODR1DA ninety-five degrees in the shade? If they could only see the ripe mangoes, bananas, cocoanuts, and all the other fruits hanging from the trees! It would make them open their eyes, I can tell you! ' ' You befit would, Jack! Still give me a Christmas at home, and I will be contented with the winter climate of Frisco. Well I guess yes! But if only Irene and Helen could spend tomorrow with us, it would be a pleasant Christmas for us. It would be fine, yet, if the Tagals should take a notion to do some rampaging around, it would be terrible for us with them here, ex- posed to all the dangers of capture and even death, perhaps by torture. However, I hope the Tagals will keep quiet tomorrow so that our men will have a peaceful holiday of rest. It would make it seem more like Christmas, still what would I not give to spend tomorrow with the folks! Silence followed, each being busy with thoughts of the loved ones at home. As Dick was thinking of the Christmas at home, the scene seemed to change before his eyes. The camp-fire became a bright, roaring wood fire in a wide, open grate, the tent, a large, cheer- ful room, trimmed with holly and brilliantly lighted. In one corner, he seemed to see the great Christmas tree, burdened with its load of joy, surrounded by his brothers and sisters, who were eagerly guessing what secrets it might reveal later in the evening. The small camp shelf became a great table trembling and quaking beneath its load of Christmas goodies. Then Dick seemed to see his father take his place at the head of the table and ask a bless- ing, while the many guests and the bright- faced children took their seats along the sides. Then he could see the Father Turkey brought in, and then followed merriment for all, save his mother, who glanced sadly at a vacant chair at the foot — his place. Then he sees the Christmas tree expand into a garden of beauty, with its wealth of candles and — suddenly Dick was startled from his deep rev- erie by a fierce Tagal yell of war, and the rattle of musket shots. Yell upon yell followed, intermingled with the crack of the Kreg-Jor- gorsens, and the ping of the mausers. Finally a louder Tagal yell of triumph was heard, then all was silent. The Tagals of the surrounding v illages had banded themselves together to capture the hated Americans, while part of the force was away. They had planned to do this treacher- ous deed on Christmas Eve — a time of peace, not war. After nightfall they had gathered in the forest back of the American camp, several h.undred strong. Scarcely forty men could be found in the Co. The Tagaioban villagers had been stealthily approaching the sentinels all the evening. As the unsuspecting sentinels were pacing to and fro, thinking of home, long arms shot out of the darkness and in the twinkling of an eye, they were bound and gagged. Then the Filipinos, gathering all their strength, swept down upon the unpre- pared Americans like a mountain torrent upon the summer reeds. The ambushed Americans, though they fought bravely, were captured and confined in a large, open space, surrounded by guards. Strange to say, no Americans were killed though several were wounded. Meanwhile, what had become of Dick and Jack? As the first Tagal yell broke out upon the night air, Dick ' s tent flap was rudely torn open and nearly twenty Filipinos crowded in the tent. Dick and Jack sprang to their feet, determined to fight stoutly for their freedom, but before they could even raise a hand, they were hastily bound, though not as tight as the others, for the natives felt a contempt for such young soldiers. Jack was led off in one direc- tion to a distant hut, while Dick was led past the captive soldiers and was thrown into an ill-smelling, dark hut upon a pile of dirty rice mats. Left in the darkness, Dick could hear the insects as they crawled about, while now and then he could hear the peculiar clicking noise made by a scorpion on his rambles. Two Tagals soon entered the hut with a torch, which they fastene d to the wall, and their arms, consisting of two old rifles and two bolo knives. They had with them Dick ' s box,

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s THE OLLA P O D R I D A be careful and don ' t get shot by the Filipinos or by our men in mistake. Thank you, Captain; 1 will try and take care of myself. At three o ' clock on Christmas morning, the Americans swooped down upon the unsuspect- ing villagers like an eagle upon its prey. They drove all before them, pursuing them far into the forest, for the Americans were determined to revenge the insult to their flag. But Dick, as soon as he got inside the village, hastened to the hut where Jack was confined. Seizing a musket, Dick made short work of the two sleep} ' guards. In three seconds he had Jack ' s bonds cut, and once more the friends were united. Thank you, old man! said Jack. I can never repay you. Get out! I didn ' t do anything, ex- plained Dick. Come help me get my box from where 1 hid it. After Dick had recovered his precious box, Jack made him change his clothes and sit be- fore a warm fire, so that he would not catch a fever, despite Dick ' s emphatic protestation. Then Dick proceeded to tell his story. Christmas morning dawned on a world of beauty, for the rain of last night had only ? v 9 S freshened the landscape. Clear skies looked down upon the plumed heads of the bananas and cocoanuts, and upon the wide-spreading mangrove, while hundreds of brilliant, tropical flowers reflected the sun ' s rays. All was quiet and peaceful in the village, for none but a few women and children had remained, and the Americans were enjoying their well-earned rest. Nothing save the sentinels pacing their beats and the mountain-howitzer, with its hundred deaths, betokened that grim var was in this garden of Eden. As Dick looked upon this scene of quietness and peace, he felt a true Christian spirit of peace on earth and good will to man He even felt a feeling of pity for the treacherous Filipinos, because they had been driven from home. And Dick sighed, — How I would like to step in on the folks at home. It would be Christmas then sure ! As he turned to go into the tent, his eves fell on that precious box, which had saved him and his companions from probable death. As he thought of the loving hands that had packed it, a tear dropped from his eyes and he thanked God for his preservation . Berthold Foster Hews, B. H. S., ' 03. s Past Reflections This life of ours has been compared To many things beneath the sun; By some a battle-field declared, By some a stage, where every one Must play his part, both great and small, And frown or smile, or plead, or fight, Until the curtain ' s final fall Hides him at length from mortal sight. And some say life is but a school To fit us for a higher sphere, Where heavenly love and wisdom rule, But dimly comprehended here. So may it be to all our boys — A school of labor and of love, Where useful work and harmless jojs Succeed each other, may it prove ! May life to us a High School be — A school of manle, true endeavor, Of duty, kindness, charity, And good deeds that endure forever; And then — for all ends here below — When school is over, work and play, May each with good report, to show, Go home for the long Holiday ! -L. C. H., ' 03.