lines,
never again to return to Manila until General Funston brought him back,
two years later, a captive.

He made his way to Malolos, a few weeks after this conversation,
declared himself "Dictator of the Philippines," appointed a Filipino
congress, set up a government of his own and began to run the general
affairs in the interior of Luzon.

CHAPTER V.

FILIPINO UPRISING

The close of the eventful year of 1898 was near at hand. General Otis
had been made governor-general of the islands. He had received about
15,000 troops from home. These had all been landed and were quartered
in the city of Manila.

Preparations had begun by the American troops for a great day of field
sports to be held on the Luneta--a beautiful narrow park paralleling
Manila bay and extending southward from the walled-city about four
miles--on New Year's day, 1899.

On the afternoon of January I, as planned, the exercises were
begun. The afternoon program consisted of foot races, running high
jumps, wheelbarrow race, fat man's race, running broad jump, high
kicking, fancy club swinging, tumbling, shot-put, sack race, tugs of
war, five boxing contests, base ball, foot ball, and pole vaulting.

Situated on the Luneta, about a mile south of the walled city, and
distant from Manila bay about 100 feet, is a large bandstand. This
served as headquarters for the exercises. The day was perfect--clear,
cool and calm.

About 2:00 P.M. over 40,000 natives, soldiers (including jack-tars
from Dewey's fleet, Spaniards and Americans) and foreign residents
had assembled around this bandstand to hear the Address of Welcome and
to witness the sports. When the speaker arose to deliver the address,
for which he was afterward voted, and presented with, a medal by the
Eight Army Corps, he said in part (verbatim report):

"On behalf of these committeemen who have spared no efforts to make
these Field Day Exercises a success, and this occasion one long to
be remembered by those who have assembled here this afternoon, I bid
you, one and all--officers, soldiers, sailors and civilians of every
nationality--a hearty welcome."

"Again to you, the members of Admiral Dewey's fleet, I feel obligated
to extend a separate and special welcome; for without your chivalrous
devotion to duty last May Day, yon shell-riven wrecks (part of unraised
Spanish fleet visible above the bay) would not bespeak the down-fall
of a sister nation, and we ourselves would not ha