wing another in quick succession. No flesh and bone could live
under such fire.

The more advanced of the charging column were now within a few feet
of the outpost's trenches; but here they wavered. Vacancies occurred
in their ranks like the falling of grass before the blade. They
hesitated. Their officers rushed wildly to and fro, excitedly waving
their swords, shouting in their twangy language above the din of
battle.

There was a brief halt; then the line broke, and a surging,
terror-stricken mass of humanity trying to escape from this disastrous
fire was all that was left of that hopeful army of insurrectos who but
a moment before were so near experiencing the exhilaration of victory.

Word came down the line to cease firing. A moment later the expected
charge was sounded by the Colonel's bugler. Up rose that khaki line,
and, with that terrorizing American yell, swept like a whirlwind
across the fields in pursuit of the flying natives.

It was just another of the many victories. The fight was now over. The
enemy was pursued for several miles beyond the limits of the American
lines, losing many in killed and wounded.

Most of the troops were withdrawn. Captain Sever with his company
was detailed to search the field for killed and wounded.

The outposts returned to their stations, and there was nothing but the
faint groans of the wounded, and the presence of the dead, to tell
that but a few short moments before a deathly struggle had occurred
between two determined armies.

Sever and his men had just started on their humane duty, performing
it with that tenderness and earnestness which the brave alone show
to those in their power, when his attention was attracted by a low
moan in the tall grass near by. He stopped and listened. Another
half-suppressed groan was heard, apparently coming from the cogonales
to his left. He parted the grass. There, lying in a pool of his own
blood, was a Filipino soldier, frantically endeavoring to conceal
himself and smother further groans. The expression on his face was a
mixture of fear and pain. Seeing that he had been discovered, he put
out his hand as if to ward off a blow.

It was evident that the boy--for such he looked to be--thought he
would be murdered on the spot, or at least unmercifully dealt with.

The officer spoke to him in Spanish and assured him that no harm would
befall him, but that he would receive every kindness and attention.

The poor lad was too weak