FROM THE BURNING HOUSE

"Hullo, that's a new wrinkle!" exclaimed Ben. "They are going to try
burning us out."

"Sure, an' thim haythins is up to all sorts av dodges," cried Dan
Casey. "It's meself as would like to git a squint at th' feller that
threw that."

"I've got him, I reckon," whispered Sorrel, taking a ready aim at a
thin hedge to the left of the house. The report of his gun was
followed by a shriek of pain, and a Filipino fell into view, the blood
flowing freely from a wound in his neck. Soon his companions caught
him by the legs and dragged him back into cover.

After this brief exchange of "compliments," as the tall Tennesseean
called it, there came a lull. Evidently the natives were disconcerted
by the unexpected fall of the man who had thrown the fire-ball and
knew not what to do.

"Do you suppose they have quitted the vicinity?" questioned Jeming,
after listening vainly for some sound from without. From a distance
came a scattering fire, but around the native house was the silence of
death, for the man who had been shot by Sorrel had fainted from loss
of blood.

"They are up to something, you can be certain of that," answered Ben.
"The Filipino is at his worst when he is silent."

"Right ye air, cap'n," put in Sorrel. "Yere she comes agin--an' a
scorcher, too!"

From over the bushes came a huge fire-ball, blazing brightly. It
struck the thatch of the cottage close to the edge of the roof, and
before it fell to the ground had set fire to the abode, which began to
burn as though no shower had wet it for a month.

"That settles it!" came from Jeming. "We've got to get out, or we'll
be burnt up like rats in a corn-crib."

"But the sergeant--" began Sorrel, when a low moan issued from the
corner.

"Never--mind--me, boys," came, with several gasps. "I'm--I'm going!
Good--good--bye--to--to-- Tell mother--"

He said no more, but fell back exhausted. All rushed to him, but ere
anybody could raise his form again he was gone from this earth
forever.

Tears stood in the eyes of Ralph Sorrel, and Jeming was scarcely less
affected, for both had known the sergeant intimately. "Another
victim," murmured the tall Tennesseean. "How long is this yere blamed
war goin' ter last, anyhow?"

"Not much longer, I hope," answered Ben, in a low voice. "I, for one,
have seen enough of bloodshed." Then the young captain straightened
up, for fear he might break down. "But we must attend to our duty, and
get away