d
been struck, and he not seriously. The others had gone down in the
long grass to destroy the enemy's aim. The wounded flag-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 was,
was not forgotten, and when one end of the American line closed in on
the retreating insurgents the latter fought to the last, knowing only
too well that little quarter would be given to them because of their
perfidy.

The long American line had swung toward Baliuag in a semicircle, and
now, when the insurgents 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 throw down his
arms.

But he had not the extra men, nor could he get them. Moreover, he had
hardly a decent map of the territory, while the enemy knew every
field, every road, and every stream. They could not make a stand at
Baliuag, 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 time the outskirts of the town was gained Ben's command was
almost exhausted; yet the colonel of the regiment felt that now was no
time to rest, and company after company was sent out in the hope that
some of the scattering bands of insurgents might be rounded up.

"Major Morris, you will take your four companies up yonder road," said
the colonel, after receiving orders from General Lawton's orderly, and
the head of the regiment pointed out the road in question. Soon the
battalion was off on the double-quick, the major more than eager 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 followed was a winding one, lined with
cottages of the better sort, showing that this was a fashionable
outskirt of the town. Only a few people showed themselves, and nothing
was seen or heard of the insurgents until a quarter of a mile had been
covered, and the best of the habitations had been left behind. Then
came an unexpected fire from a cane-brake, and out dashed fully two
hundred savage-looking Tagals armed with guns and bolos.

"Halt! Fire!" came the commands, and the