Archie saw the arrival from the roof of the
building which was his mock prison, and he could scarcely refrain from
laughing outright when he saw the boasted Filipino "army." It was the
poorest excuse for a body of troops that he could imagine.
Aguinaldo rode a fine bay horse, as did several of his followers, but
by far the majority of the regiment, if such it could be called, was
afoot, and most of them were barefooted, too. The rebel leader looked
very much like most of his pictures, with the exception that he had an
older look, and some gray hairs about the temples. He was attired in a
gaudy uniform of some sort, with epaulets and a Spanish general's hat,
and he carried himself with great dignity of manner. Dismounting from
his horse, he entered the administration building, where he held a
conference with the town officials, and probably made them pay over
whatever money was in the treasury "for the cause." He remained within
for two hours or more, and all this time Archie stood upon the roof
and watched the remarkable scene in the streets below. The troops had
scattered, and were engaged in robbing the housewives of whatever they
had in their houses to eat. And the women seemed willing to provide
them with whatever they could afford, and there was much enthusiasm
evident everywhere. But the celebration was very quiet, in spite of
the friendly reception, There were no bands of music, no cheering, and
no singing of battle-hymns.
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