Afterward, when it came to be known that Heber Smith would live,in spite of his wounds and the hours that he had lain there in thebushes unconscious and uncared for, there was the greatest diversityof opinion as to what had really saved his life.
The surgeons said it was partly their skill, and partly the superbconstitution that years of work on a New England farm had given tothe young man. His mother believed that he had been spared for hersake. Heber Smith himself always said it was his mother's care thatsaved his life, while Juan never had the least doubt that the youngsoldier had been protected solely by a marvellous "anting-anting"which he himself had slipped unsuspected into the American soldier'sblouse that day, before he had left him. As soon as she knew that herson would live, Mrs. Smith started for Washington, carrying with herpapers which made it possible for her to be allowed to plead her casethere as she had pleaded it in Manila. A pardon was sent back, as fastas wire and steamer and wire again could convey it. Heber Smith wearsthe uniform of a second lieutenant, now, won for bravery in actionsince he went back into the service; and every one who knew her inthe Philippines, cherishes the memory of Mrs. Hannah Smith; Nurse.