Major, Colonel Darcy wishes you to take your command up yonder hill.
The rebels have a battery up there, as you can see. If you can rush
the position, he will send another battalion to your support."

"Tell Colonel Darcy I will obey the order," answered Major Morris.
Then he turned to the four companies. "Boys, we are ordered to take
yonder hill and the two field-pieces perched on top of it. Come on,
and I will lead you!"

He waved his sword and away went the first battalion on the double
quick, two companies to the front. There was first a slight hollow to
cross, and then came a thicket of brambles where many a uniform was
reduced to rags. The battery at the top of the hill saw them coming
and directed a heavy fire at their advance.

"Hot work!" cried the major, as he ranged up alongside of Ben. "I am
afraid the carrying out of this order will cost us dear."

"If you'll allow me to make a suggestion, major--" began Ben.

"Make a dozen, captain."

"Why not take a course to the left then."

"For what reason?"

"There is a big rock on that side, on the very top of the hill."

"But we can't climb that rock."

"No, and neither can the rebels fire over it with their field-pieces.
When we get up to the rock we can march around it."

"Well spoken, Russell--you're a born strategist," cried the major, who
was too generous to have any ill feeling because somebody offered him
a suggestion. "We'll go that way." And he immediately gave necessary
orders.

But the advance was by no means easy, and soon the battalion found
itself under such a galling fire that the men were glad enough to seek
the shelter of every rock and bush which came handy. The battery could
not do everything, and afraid of having his pieces taken from him, the
captain had called upon several companies of the Filipinos to assist
him in maintaining his position.

"Down!" suddenly shouted Gilbert Pennington, and down went the men,
and the next instant a shell burst directly over their heads.

"This is hot and no mistake," murmured Ben. Then he turned to his
command. "Forward, men, the sooner we take that position the better it
will be for us." And up the hill he dashed, with Casey, Stummer, and
the rest following as best they could, for the way was steep and
uncertain. At last the very edge of the big rock was gained, and
Company D poured around its left side, to find themselves suddenly
confronted by a body of Tagalos fully a hundred strong. In the