Driven beyond San Fernando de Pampanga, Aguinaldo established his headquarters at Tarlac, and determined to make a final stand; here taking oath that he would take the city of San Fernando inside of a week or lose every man in his command in the attempt.
Then followed the attack in which Benito was wounded. From what he had heard, he expected the Captain’s sword to run him through; or worse, be taken alive and afterward subjected to the cruelty of the “Yankee” soldiery, or sold as a slave and shipped to the States.
Now he had seen with his own eyes the benign attitude of his former enemy. His connection with the rebellion had ended.
Sever offered to employ him as his valet.
The beaming fellow arose, bowing obsequiously, and replied: “As you wish, Capitan.”
From that moment his bearing and actions changed from those of a friend to those of a servant.
Benito proved a model valet. His master’s wants were anticipated; his shoes looked more like mirrors than prosaic foot-gear, and his clothes were always neatly pressed and immaculately clean. The culinary was not neglected. It was soon noised about the regiment that Sever was the best groomed and fed officer in the Division.
Then came the time when the wily little rebels cut the railroad and telegraph communications, and there was no intercourse with Manila. The morning after this occurrence there was noticeable the absence of Filipino venders of bananas, eggs, and other edibles on the streets of San Fernando. This always meant an early attack. To Sever the most ominous thing was the disappearance that night of his trusted valet, Benito. But he refused to believe that he had turned traitor; he vowed the native would duly appear in time.
Early that evening orders came from regimental headquarters to strengthen the outposts, especially those of the north—the point always the object of attack of the insurgents.
The south line was reënforced by Captain Sever’s company alone. He arrived there about dark, and soon made a careful disposition of his men, personally superintending the placing of each man.