Chapter 40: Cavite
The travel was tiring, but the Calle Real provided a somewhat decent route—oftentimes paved, and if not, we walked over worn yet well-maintained dirt. Before nightfall, we had crossed the Zapote River and officially entered the province of Cavite.
Not far from the Zapote Bridge was a small sitio with a few huts where we sought refuge for the night. We were welcomed warmly and enthusiastically by the villagers. I felt flattered by the extra special treatment I received once they learned they were accommodating a general.
An entire hut was vacated for me and my officers. They offered us the best menu they could muster—fried tilapia, milkfish cooked in vinegar (paksiw na bangus), and small crabs in coconut milk (ginataang alimasag). Of all places, I had not expected a feast in such a small sitio.
I had to sternly insist on reimbursing them, since they vehemently refused my money, saying it was their pleasure. If they went bankrupt from my visit, I imagined they would look back on it with not as much pleasure.
The hut’s bedroom had a window that offered a glimpse of Manila Bay. I watched the little waves of the calm waters reflect the dim light of the night sky. A couple of fishing boats could be seen on their nightly catch—and not a single American ship in sight. The whiff of smoke rising from outside, where the common soldiers had made camp, completed the somewhat dreamy scene.
Not long after, I joined the already-sleeping Triviño and Dimalanta on the nipa mat. Weariness overcame the stiffness of the surface, the roughness of the pillow, and the thinness of the blankets—I promptly fell asleep.
The following day started well.
As we left the sitio, we were greeted by a pleasant surprise. Just as we were about to head deeper into Cavite, we encountered a company of Caviteño soldiers who had come to begin trenchworks along the river. The orders from Malolos had finally reached the province.
After a brief but pleasant conversation with their major, we resumed our journey in high spirits.