Part 13 (1/2)

Thus speaking, the young captain moved slowly and cautiously from the spot they had occupied for five minutes or more He picked his steps, and they fell as silently as those of a cat after a bird Casey was at his heels, al with expectancy Both knew that they were carrying their lives in their hands

Two rods had been covered, and still nothing was seen of the Filipinos Was it possible that they had withdrawn? But no, there was another cracking of cane-stalks and another co now fro out, and a bullet whistled back of Ben's head and across Casey's face

The report had not yet died out when Ben fired, straight for the flash of fire of which he had caught a limpse That his shot reached its mark was proven by the wild yell of pain which followed

”The jig is up!” cried Dan Casey ”We al came into view before the hi him on the spot

As luck would have it, the Filipino whom Casey had killed was a petty officer and the leader of the detachents for a minute, who yelled one to another that their leader was shot Taking advantage of the confusion, our friends rushed headlong through the cane-brake, firing several times as they ran A dozen shots answered them, but none of these took effect

”I think the road is yonder,” said Ben, pointing with his pistol as they progressed ”Hark!”

Frohting was not yet over It ca But now those left behind were after theor, for they were ten to two, and were determined that the wicked _Americanos_ should not escape their clutches

At last the cane-brake was left behind Beyond was a se which appeared deserted

”Sure, captain, an' we'll be shot down like dogs if we show ourselves in th' open,” panted Casey, as almost out of breath

”Get behind the house,” answered Ben ”It is our one chance,” and he started in advance Again the Filipinos fired on the captain's side, cutting a straight hole through his clothing

They were yet a hundred feet fro forth, guns in hand The strangers took in the situation at a glance, and let drive with such good aim that two of the ene how , and in another um, ef it ain't Captain Russell!” cried one of the soldiers, as he faced Ben ”I'lad to be yere to help ye, cap'n,” and he snized the tall Tennesseean who had once acco Southerner was ot a wounded eant Kaser o' our coot so bad we brung him in yere to rest a spell But you--”

”Thiht, nine av thim, an limpin' How many av us are there here?” he asked, as he looked around

”Four,” answered Ben ”Load up, boys, and when you shoot--”

”We'llsoldier, almost as tall as his companion

”I don't believe they will come very close,” continued Ben ”They know that we have the advantage of the captain was right The Filipinos had showed theun, they lost no tie consisted of four rooround floor, and a low loft upstairs It ell built and fairly furnished in native fashi+on On the single bed it contained lay the wounded soldier, Sergeant Kaser, whom Ben had met several times He was hit in the neck, and looked as if he could last but a few hours at the eant,” said Sorrel, as he did what he could to ease the wounded one's pain ”The house is surrounded by the enemy I reckon we kin keep 'em out, but I reckon likewise thet they kin keep us in--at least fer a while”

”It--don't-- for this world What a terrible thing war is! I never thought I was going to be shot down like this!” And he gave another gasp His eyes were staring fro severe pain

Ben looked around the cottage for soiven to the sufferer to ease his, and nothing in the way of food, drink, or medicine remained Sorrel had already bound a handkerchief soaked in cold water around the wounded neck, so nothingto raise the sufferer up to a sitting position, at his request ”I don't know as thet is best fer him,” whispered the tall Tennesseean to Ben

”But he ain't long fer this world, as he says, an' he ht as well hev his wish as not”