Republic Reborn: Against the Stars and Stripes-Chapter 72: Kampilan

Eduardo survived the battle unscathed. The helmsman soon busied himself examining the Moro warship we had captured. The soldiers said several pirates had managed to board the ship, but since it would take at least twenty men to row it with any real speed, they immediately gave up on escaping once the warning shots were fired.

There were four swivel brass cannons—two of which could have been used against Sargento Guzman’s group—installed on the ship. But perhaps in their shock, none of the pirates thought to operate them. And even if they had, it would take at least a minute to load one—too much time to be standing still against anyone with basic marksmanship training.

Eduardo told me it was a Garay warship, though it was undermanned. It could accommodate up to eighty men aboard.

"It’s a bit old, but still very much seaworthy," he told me excitedly when he finally stepped off the ship. "It could be requisitioned for your use... Heneral, maybe for your journey back."

I nodded, studying the impressive structure. I still couldn’t believe we had managed to seize such a thing. It was a worthy addition to our fledgling navy—primarily as a transport vessel. While the steamship was undoubtedly the better ship, it was a waste of coal to use it for every purpose. Not to mention that with the Garay warship, personnel could be carried directly to shore without the need for ferry boats.

But that would also mean we’d need more navy personnel—specifically, people who knew their way around outrigger sail ships.

"What do you think about working for me, Eduardo?" I asked him.

He didn’t seem too surprised by the question, as if he had been expecting it. "You want me to operate this ship for you?"

I nodded. "You’ll be paid well, and you’ll be given a naval rank."

This time, he was surprised. His smile faded and he huffed, "Heneral... it would be an honor!"

"But first, Eduardo... I want you to search for your crew—wherever they fled to like little girls," I said, tapping him on the shoulder. "And have the sails replaced with plain white ones. We wouldn’t want to be mistaken for pirates."

The outrigger warship was our biggest catch, but not our only loot.

Later, Sargento Guzman showed me the regalia, accessories, garments, and weapons confiscated from both the dead and captured pirates. Most had either gold, silver, or ivory in them. I wondered if Señor Lim would be able to sell them for a decent price.

But I wasn’t keen on selling everything. The pirate chief’s sword was a magnificent piece of craftsmanship that awakened my collector’s spirit.

It was a two-edged sword, as long as a grown man’s arm. The blade widened near the tip into a distinct flare, designed to deliver powerful slashing blows. Intricate engravings of talismanic symbols were etched into the metal. The hilt was made of hardwood, carved into the head of a snake. Silver fittings reinforced the grip, and red tassels were tied to the pommel.

It was too heavy for an old man like me to wield, but it would look good mounted on a wall. A great conversation starter—and a proud reminder of the time we wiped the floor with the feared Moro pirates.

One of the soldiers told me the sword was called a kampilan.

"Heneral, Capitan Madrigal has arrived," a soldier informed me.

I placed the kampilan back on the sheet of fabric they had laid out to display the loot. I stood from the fallen coconut log I had been using as a seat and gestured for Sargento Guzman to come near.

"Distribute the silver and gold accessories to the families of the dead," I told him.

Then, realizing how unfair it would be for the soldiers to go home empty-handed after doing all the work, I added, "And tell the recruits who fought today that their salaries will be doubled this week."

---

I had sent a messenger on horseback to the town proper of Sta. Cruz to call for my brother-in-law. I needed more men to transport the pirates to the pueblo.

But they had already been alerted by one of the barrio dwellers, and Capitan Madrigal met the rider halfway.

At the same spot where I had made my three kills, we rested and talked over coffee and bread. The faint stench of blood still lingered in the air, even though the corpses had been taken away and the floorboards wiped clean of bloodstains.

I glanced at the doorframe—at the deep mark left by the sword. Then at Capitan Madrigal, before my eyes finally settled on the gobernadorcillo of Sta. Cruz, who had come along with a horde of armed townsmen.

Also seated around the mahogany table was our battered host, trying to smile despite his aching facial muscles. Beside him was his daughter, leaning against his shoulder, staring blankly into the air. She was still wearing my jacket.

"You... you captured all of the attacking pirates, Gobernador?" Don Eugenio Suarez, the town mayor, repeated in disbelief.

"Well... everyone who wasn’t killed. There are thirty-six of them—secured and ready for transport," I replied.

The mayor, who looked a little too young for his post, chuckled softly and grinned.

But I wasn’t done. I preferred to tell him directly, since it couldn’t be hidden anyway: "Unfortunately... a child from the village was killed in the crossfire. A stray bullet."

Had it been a seamless operation, I could have bragged freely about it. But the death of that child was enough to take the sweetness off the victory. And it could easily be used to discredit me by those who opposed my plans—many of whom were among the town’s principales.

"A tragic loss... but unavoidable in an attack of this scale," Don Suarez said solemnly. "But still... it does not take away from the fact that you saved the village and made sure this band won’t be ravaging any more communities."

He glanced toward the wounded host and the dazed young lady. "And I am personally indebted to you, Señor Gobernador. I heard you saved my sister and father yourself."