would revolutionize the government of the islands forever.

"Marie," said he, "I'm going to force the Americans to acknowledge
the independence of the Philippine islands, or I shall not permit
the rest of their army to land. Dewey tells me he has sent home for
reinforcements. There is no use for us to let these troops land, if
America instead of Spain is going to govern the islands. What we want
is absolute independence with myself as president of the new Filipino
Republic. If the Americans won't concede this to us, let's fight!"

"That's what I say!" declared Marie. "Let's drive the foreign devils
off the islands or slay them all. Here's father dead and--Dimiguez,
too"--Marie's voice trembled--"I tell you it's too much. Let's kill
every one of them!"

"Yes; but say Marie, we must keep quiet about all this," cautioned
Aguinaldo. "I'll tell you what I have in mind. We'll wait about four
weeks and by that time if Dewey hasn't received definite instructions
from Washington, and if he won't give me any satisfaction, I'm going
to go to Malolos, proclaim myself Dictator of the Philippines, appoint
a cabinet and a congress from among some of the bright young Filipinos
here in Manila who have been educated abroad, draw up a Revolutionary
form of government, and begin to administer the affairs of these
islands just as I please.

"We'll keep our present army in the field, and if the Americans do
land we'll shut them up in Manila, so that they will have nothing at
their command but the city to regulate. This won't amount to much as
compared with the rest of the islands which I will dominate."

"Are you sure the Americans won't land a powerful army, cut through
your lines around Manila and drive you out of Malolos, or capture you
and your officials at that place? It seems to me I would go farther
inland--say to San Isidro," said Marie.

Aguinaldo thought a moment, then replied: "That's true, in a sense,
Marie; but I have got to be on or near the railroad where I can have
easy and rapid access to Manila. Malolos is not far from here and
it is situated on the railroad. It has some very large buildings in
which our legislative sessions could be held. I think it the place
for the undertaking.

"To be on the safe side, I believe I will have our troops erect a
series of fortifications between here and there along the railroad
track, so that if the Americans do attempt to advance by that route
I can easily stop them."

"I think