Part 12 (1/2)

”Forward it is!” shouted Dan Casey ”Doid the haythins that don't know the rass

The whole line was soon advancing, but Ben's company was in front, and kept there until within a hundred feet of where the fourcaptain saw Major Morris leap up, followed by Gilbert and the third soldier, and run with all speed toward the American line

”Not shot!” cried Ben, joyfully ”Heaven be thanked for that!” And he al-bearer had been struck, and he not seriously The others had gone down in the long grass to destroy the ene-carrier was taken to the rear, and then the whole line pushed on with a yell which was as savage as it was loud and long The incident, short as it as not forgotten, and when one end of the Aents the latter fought to the last, knowing only too well that little quarter would be given to the A in a seents tried to flee by way of the north, they found themselves confronted front and rear This put them in more of a panic than ever; and had General Lawton had a thousand additional troops, it is more than likely he could have surrounded the rebels completely and compelled every one in that territory to thron his aret them Moreover, he had hardly a decent map of the territory, while the enemy knew every field, every road, and every strea, nor could they run in the direction of San Rafael, so their only course was to take to the rice-fields, the cane-brakes, and the jungle, and this they did in short order

By the tiained Ben's coiment felt that noas no time to rest, and company after co bands of insurgents ht be rounded up

”Major Morris, you will take your four co orders froiment pointed out the road in question Soon the battalion was off on the double-quick, the er to wipe out the treachery which had been shown to him and his companions but an hour or two before

The road which the battalion folloas a winding one, lined with cottages of the better sort, showing that this was a fashi+onable outskirt of the town Only a few people showed theents until a quarter of a mile had been covered, and the best of the habitations had been left behind Then came an unexpected fire froe-looking Tagals aruns and bolos

”Halt! Fire!” came the commands, and the Americans obeyed as quickly as possible Several of our men had been hit, one seriously, and now half a dozen Filipinos went down For severalwas at close quarters, and it looked as if the battalion had run into an ahtered

”To the shelter of the trees!” shouted Ben, and was about to guide hisrebel officer leaped before him with draord His own blade al was a fine swords certain that he could run the _Ah Clack! clack!

went the blades, up and down, side to side, and straight forward

”Take care there!” caal's sword pricked Ben's ar captain leaped back a step, then caal's ribs At the same time Dan Casey fired at the eneh the breast

”I had to do it,” cried the Irish volunteer ”I thought he was afther stickin' ye like a pig!”

”It was a close shave,” murmured Ben, as he passed on ”He handled his sword like an expert I shan't forget you for that, Casey”

”Sure, an' that's all right, captain,” answered the soldier, quickly

”Is your arot theain” And away the pair went, into the cane-brake, through which the rebels were crashi+ng like so many wild cattle

The day had been full of excitement, but much more was to follow The cane-brakes were heavy, and soon Ben and Casey found themselves separated froht of their own company Then several Filipinos confronted them and called upon them to surrender

”We ain't surrenderin' just yit, we ain't!” howled the Irish soldier, and let drive at the nearest rebel, while Ben discharged his pistol

Two of the enemy ounded, and in an instant the others took to their heels, evidently convinced that such fighters were ”too many”

for them

The encounter, however, had taken ti ”We want to knohere we are running to first,” he said ”Listen”

They listened and ht and the left ”I'ht,” said Dan Casey

”I believe you are right, Casey; although both of uscaptain of Company D ”We will try that direction, anyway”

They continued on their way through the cane-brake until they reached a sround was soft and full of treacherous bog-holes, and both looked at each other in disained fer, eh, captain?” remarked Casey, as he pulled hione alit stuck so tight there'll be no budgin' av us”

”The ground to the right seems to be firmer,” replied Ben ”Coet out of the soft spot was not easy, and soon they found themselves between the tall cane and up to their knees in a lue