Part 11 (2/2)

Ten ained, and here the water-barrel was found, set up on end, with the top knocked out It was three-quarters full of water, and a dozen ortheir canteens

”Stop drinking!” ordered Ben, when still at a distance ”That water has been doctored and willthe water was poisoned for fear of creating a panic

The water was at once poured out on the ground and the barrel seon was found, to whom Ben related the facts of the case A canteen of the water was exaive the man who had drunk the stuff an emetic A few of the soldiers were taken with cramps inside of an hour afterward, and two of them were seriously sick for a week; but no lives were lost But if the soldiers could have got at the Filipino who had poisoned the water, they would have shot hier was over, Ben returned to the wood, and had two e, where he was left in charge of his wife and his niece Through Gilbert it was learned that the wife had also re the poison, so it was fair to suppose that the aunt would protect her niece to a certain degree ”But she'll have a hard ti Southerner, as he and Ben resu, were in advance, and now a steady firing from the front told that another battle was at hand Soon General Lawton cah the crowd on the road, followed by his staff

”Forward, boys!” was the cry, and then Ben's command left the road and took to the rice-fields on the outskirts of Baliuag The line was a long one, with the Oregon and Minnesota soldiers for end, and Scott's battery in a paddy-field on the extreents had kept well hidden; but as the A in half a dozen directions, as if undecided whether to fight or to flee

The townspeople themselves were in a panic, and down the streets ran Filipinos and Chinese, soh on their backs They had heard of the coainst hope that their beloved toould be passed by un rapidly when they came to a ditch which seemed to divide the rice-field in half A short pause follohen along came the cry of ”Down!” and every ents had opened up unexpectedly from a cane-brake behind the rice-field

”We must take that cane-brake,” ca quickly, and aent the co as they ran, and reloading with all possible speed

Ben was now truly in his eleed Company D well to the front, so that the cane was soon reached But the rebels were not gah the cane and over a field of heavy grass leading to the very outskirts of the town beyond

”They are running away!” was the cry ”On we go, boys, and the toill be ours in less than half an hour”

But now a halt was ordered, on the edge of the cane-brake Fro a white rag over his head

”Flag of truce!” cried the A!” And the order was instantly obeyed ”Major Morris, you can select a detail of three eneral,” answered the major of the first battalion, and saluted He had soon chosen hisa white flag before them, the party of four advanced into the open field

CHAPTER XIII

IN WHICH A FLAG OF TRUCE IS FIRED UPON

Major Morris well knew the wiliness of the Filipinos, yet he did not doubt but that they would pay due respect to a flag of truce which they had thely he advanced boldly with his little party, until the four had covered fully one-half of the distance which separated the American troops from the point where the rebels had taken a stand

”He is thrustin' thiroaned Dan Casey, as the closest ed--”

”They won't dare to fire, Dan,” said a companion ”If they did--”

The speech was cut short by the pop of a Mauser rifle, followed by twowas seen to fling the banner down and fall headlong In thewere running back to their own ranks with all possible speed

”They have fired on the flag of truce!” The cry arose fro out At the same time the Filipinos opened up in a body, and Major Morris, Gilbert, and the third rass in such a manner that they were almost hidden from view

”Gilbert is shot! And Major Morris too!” Such was the painful thought which ran through Ben's brain He looked at the colonel pleadingly

”Advance at once, Captain Russell, with the first battalion, to the rescue of the flag of truce,” ordered the colonel, understanding hiive the enemy no quarter”

”Forward,captain, almost before his superior had finished ”Deploy to the left and fire at will And make every shot tell!” he added bitterly