shells from the
guns were effective, but for once the Nebraskans failed in their usual
dash and came up too late to cut off the retreat of the enemy and
prevent his escape.

[Illustration: GUN AT PUMPING STATION FIRING ON MARIQUINA.]

Again on the 24th the two Nordenfelts under Lieutenant Webb moved down
the Mariquina road, and did excellent work in aiding the Nebraskans to
drive the natives back towards San Mateo. The B. and L. rifles from the
hill fired into bodies of natives to the left of Mariquina Church on
this occasion, and the death roster of the insurgents for that day was
very great. A revolving Hotchkiss under Corporal Hesburg, located close
to the Deposito, also inflicted severe damage on the natives. Still the
enemy at this point was alert and aggressive. The next day Major Mulford
went scouting with a small force to the right of Mariquina. Soon after
he reached the valley he was completely surrounded by the insurgents.
Then the big guns on the hill sent bursting shells fast into the
Filipino ranks and soon they retired stubbornly into the woods. Several
of Major Mulford's men were killed or wounded, and he stated afterwards
that the Utah guns had saved himself and party. This skirmish proved
that the natives were gathering there in a larger and more formidable
force, and this circumstances led to the burning of Mariquina. All night
the flames from the bamboo huts and old Spanish mansions illumined the
valley, and when the troops descended the next morning they found that
all the south and the greater part of the north end of the city were
entirely destroyed.

There was comparative quietude after that until March 6th, when the
natives began to resume the annoying fire on the infantry, and an
artillery demonstration became imperative. As the insurgent attack came
about daylight, the guns under Lieutenant Gibbs bombarded the valley
from the hill, driving the enemy northward. Another large force of the
Tagalans swept down upon the Nebraskan outposts on the left and a deadly
affray commenced. Reinforcements were rushed to the aid of the stricken
sentries, who were gradually forced back by the superior numbers of the
assaulting party. Sergeant Ford Fisher with the fifth section gun dashed
out of the camp to the front. For three-quarters of a mile the
diminutive Filipinos horses with which the guns had lately been equipped
sped down the ridges under a galling fire. On the brow of the hill the
gun whirled into