Part 22 (1/2)

”They say General Lawton puts it down as a regular Indian ca in the dark”

”They are sick of it, Gilive up in a minute if the leaders were only assured that they would coone too far to couinaldo ht to know that he isn't dealing with soi now, forout every day on account of fever and other tropical troubles Ben had had a little fever himself, but had dosed himself with quinine before it had a chance to per hi a s flowers and wild plantains and the ever present thorns and trailing vines Birds were nu soldier could not resist the te one of the feathered tribe down, to be cooked at the next resting place Once the regie wasas one on the rebels

Soldiers are but human and must have their fun, no matter under what difficulties

”It's a fine turkey dinner we'll be afther havin' to-day,” re one of the birds over his shoulder He had scarcely spoken, when pop-pop went several Mausers in a thicket beyond, the bullets singing their strange tune in the leaves over the advancers' heads

”Forward!” shouted Major Morris, as in teiment, and away they went once y soil which speedily let theents' fire becaht in an ambush

”Fire at will!” came the order ”To the left, boys, and make every shot tell!”

A roar of musketry drowned out the words, and io into this quagrave error, but all leaders reatly as his ot The rebels evidently thought they had the Americans at their mercy and pushed in closer and closer, untilhand to hand Many had exhausted their a their guns as clubs

”Die!” cried one tall Tagal, as he flashed up before Ben with a bloody bolo ”Die!” he repeated in bad English, andcaptain But Gilmore had his eye on the man, and the lieutenant's sword cut the bolo frorasp

”Good for you!” cried Ben Then he drew a long breath, to think of the narrow escape he had had The native, his hand floith blood, retreated as suddenly as he had approached

The tide of the battle was now taking Aents toward a cane-brake The rebels still fought desperately, but they were beginning to lose confidence, for the A them hard

But now came a cheer from the rear, and Co captain's astonish either killed or wounded

”Gilbert!” he called, but had no ti Southerner heard and waved the sword he had picked up Soon the two co shoulder to shoulder, and the enemy were driven out into the cane-field, and then into a meadow Here they tried to make a stand, around an old rice-house, and it took another half hour to dislodge thereat haste,their weapons and outfits behind the over, Ben started to find the major Gilbert accompanied him Their first hunt for the commander, however, was unsuccessful

”It's queer,” was Ben's coradually brought thele, and presently Gilbert heard a faintin the direction, they found a soldier of Co on some moss, his knee shattered froroaned the poor fellow ”Help me, won't you?”

”We'll do all we can for you,” answered Ben, and while he went to work, Gilbert ran back to bring up the hospital corps with a stretcher

”You want to go after Major Morris,” said the wounded soldier, as soon as he felt co for Major Morris,” replied Ben, much astonished

”Where is he?”

”He was knocked over by one of the Dagos, and then three of 'em carried him away”

This was certainly news, and Ben waited i Southerner returned, both asked the wounded soldier in what direction the captured h the cane-brake,” was the answer ”You'll find the trail easily enough, I think, if you look for it One of the rebs wore boots with high heels, so you can't miss 'eht direction, and was then taken back to the hospital tent Without delay Ben called Ralph Sorrel and half a dozen others to his aid