the armament of the "Laguna" and said he
would give all his wealth for one of the three-inch guns. The "Oceania"
was sent ahead with instructions to all the commanding officers to make
as large a display as possible. At San Luiz the instructions were not
complied with and as the "Laguna" passed one officer and four men were
falling in for guard. General Gregoria smiled. Farther up the river the
case was different. Where they were in the habit of posting but one
guard there was an officer and twenty men. This was repeated at all the
other stations until Candaba was reached. General Gregoria's smile had
faded, and he remarked that the Americans kept the country better
patrolled than he had imagined. The General and Colonel were landed at
Candaba and under an escort of Americans disappeared in the distant
green line of woods.

On May 24th it was known among all the Utah men that their days of
fighting were over, and on this date Major Grant was relieved of his
command of the river boat fleet. And so ended, for Utah, the career of
these wonderful ironclad river machines.

CHAPTER V.

THE HOME COMING.

While the fighting Utah batterymen were still living in the nipa huts at
San Fernando and Baliaug and repelling the attacks of the dusky Tagalan
braves at Candaba and Morong from General Otis an order came to the
Cuartel. It had an unpretentious look--that slip of paper; but it
carried a message of great importance to the belligerent Utahn than any
he had received since the thunders of war shook the earth on the night
of February 4th. It told the artilleryman to gather all his portable
utensils and board the United States transport "Hancock," which lay idly
in the bay waiting orders to weigh anchor and steam for America.

Almost a week passed before the scattered batteries were assembled
within the familiar walls of the Cuartel. The main body at San Fernando
turned over its guns to the famous Third Artillery and arrived safely at
the quarters over the Manila and Dagupan railroad; Lieutenant Seaman's
detachment at Baliaug dropped its war machinery and made all possible
speed to Manila; Lieutenant Webb's detail on the "Cavadonga" for the
first time turned its back on the enemy and fled for the protecting
walls of the barracks. When these battle-begrimed veterans reached the
quarters there was such a demonstration as the old walls had never seen
before. The old scenes of order disappeared, the rigors of discipline