The Woman with a Stone Heart

  CHAPTER X.

  DEATH OF GENERAL LAWTON.

  After the battle of Baler, Marie and a few native soldiers hastenedwestward in advance of the prisoners, to San Isidro to notify Aguinaldowho had moved his headquarters to that place, that the Americans wereadvancing northward in great numbers and that nothing could impedetheir progress. This information had previously been conveyed to theFilipino general from other sources, so that Marie found him in hisso-called congress packed up and ready to move,--a thing they wereforced to do a few days after the American prisoners arrived. Sheaccompanied them for several long, tedious months, acting as cook forthe expedition and serving in other capacities--none of them seemingto her to be ample reward for all she had done.

  Early in the coming fall, Marie, tired of Aguinaldo's game ofhide-and-go-seek, and anxious to find out about her mother and to getinto more fighting, if there be a chance, made her way back to Manila.

  But her conscience bothered her. She remembered that broken oath andmany other acts of wanton treachery that would shock the civilizedworld. She feared that her own life would soon be sought either bythe Americans or by the Filipinos. Accordingly she suggested to hermother that they again go to her aunt's in the little town of Angonoat the north end of Lake Laguna de Bay, where she had left her motherstationed when last they had parted. Her mother, growing old andnervous through accumulated years, past grievances, hard work and thestrain of the present conflict, favored the plan; and so they departedon December 2nd, taking the same road over McLeod's Hill and on downover the Santa Mesa bridge that they had traveled on February 4th.

  Before leaving Manila she learned through the private Filipino Juntawhich was secretly assisting in the war by accumulating funds forits prosecution and by distributing among the native troops theinflammatory literature which was being promiscuously sent out bythe people in the United States who opposed the war, that a secretreward of $10,000. had been offered for the death of General Lawton.

  About the middle of December, 1899, the General had returned toManila from another telling campaign northward, when he learned thatthe Filipinos were assembling in large numbers under one of theirfearless leaders, General Geronemo, on the San Mateo river, but afew miles out of Manila, for the purpose of making one more attemptto break through the American lines guarding that city.

  On December 17, Marie heard that another attack was to be made onManila, so she left her mother at Angono and made her way to theFilipinos' camp along the San Mateo river, only a few miles south ofwhere she had crossed it at the rapids the morning after she had beenliberated under oath by Major Allison.

  The next day, she was in secret consultation with Geronemo, and shedisclosed to him all the information she had concerning the defensesof Manila.

  That evening, Filipino scouts, dressed in female attire, brought toGeneral Geronemo the news that the Americans, under General Lawton,who was supposed to be away up in the northern part of Luzon, hadanticipated his movements and were assembling in the woods on theopposite side of the valley in large numbers, possibly for a nightattack.

  Marie told Geronemo what she had learned while in Manila concerningthe reward that had been secretly offered for the killing of GeneralLawton. He knew all about it and confirmed the offer. She told him allabout her training as a marksman with the Spanish on Corregidor islandand of her subsequent experience, and said she knew General Lawtonwell; that she could single him out, and in case he led his troops,as he usually did in battle, she was sure she could capture the prize.

  A place of unusual safety and concealment was selected along theFilipinos' lines, directly in front of the center of the probable pointof attack by the Americans, for Marie, and for a Filipino lieutenantand a corporal, both of whom were also good shots.

  Geronemo had instructed them that Marie was to have the first threeshots at the general, in case he appeared on the scene of battle. Ifshe failed to hit him, the lieutenant was then to try it. After hehad taken three shots, if he, too, failed, the corporal was to begiven a chance.

  The next morning, December 19, the American line of battle came outof the woods on the opposite side of the valley, ready to charge onthe Filipinos' position. The morning was bright and clear, so thatGeneral Lawton, with his tall figure, resplendent uniform and largewhite helmet, could easily be discerned by the entire Filipino command.

  "I'll fix him," whispered Marie, "just wait till the firing begins,so that I can shoot without attracting attention to our position."

  In a moment, the Filipinos opened fire on the Americans all alongthe line. The latter sought cover. General Lawton remained erect. Hemade an ideal target. Marie took careful aim. "Bang!" went her rifle,and at that very moment this peerless leader of men, this hero ofseveral wars, was shot through the heart and fell dead in the armsof his aide. His only words were, "I'm shot."

  "See that! What did I tell you?" snapped out Marie, "I told you I'dget him! Now for my dinero." (money).

  The Americans were so angered because of the sudden death of theirbeloved commander that they made a mad rush forward, without orders,and swept the Filipino army from the field.

  Marie returned to Manila where she claimed the reward for having shotthe general. The lieutenant who was with her claimed that he did it,and by promising half of the bounty to the corporal for swearing tothe lie, he proved it. Meager reports of the affair state that only$7000 of the money was actually paid over. Like Aguinaldo who creptinto a cave northwest of Manila and sold out his country during theinsurrection of 1896, and then could not collect his fee, so Marie,too, found herself deprived of the compensation for her bloody deed.