Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1900 — The Tattooed Crucifix. [ARTICLE]

The Tattooed Crucifix.

For the first time since we had been on the march the Filipino lieutenant separated bls camp from ours. He also doubled his guard, stationing bls soldiers In the rocks which surrounded us. Thinking all this somewhat peculiar I sent one of the men to ask if he had placed the guards for our protection. "No,” was his laconic answer. Soon afterward tie came himself to our camp, and through an Interpreter calmly Informed me that he had orders, presumably from General Tino, to execute us in the mountains. I have always believed that the lieutenant’s refusal to obey orders and execute us was due to the effect produced In bls mind by an incident which had occurred a night or two earlier. At one of our stops he had-shown me a crucifix, which he wore hung by a ribbon around bls neck, and said to me; “The ‘Americanos’ are not Christians.” “Oh, yes,” I replied. “All the Americans are Christians.” “But you never wear any crucifixes.” I opened my jacket and showed him my breast A crucifix had been tattooed there years ago, when I was a midshipman. The Tagal leaped to bls feet with an exclamation of surprise. He instantly crossed himself. His eyes nearly started out of his head. I explained to him that any one could buy a crucifix and hang It around his neck, but that I had endured pain to have my crucifix pricked in the flesh, and that, as he could see, It mpst always be with me. There was a marked change in his manner toward me after that.—Lieutetnan* Commander Gillmore, in McClure’s.