arms," said the corporal to the two privates who were
with him, "while I look behind that rice-dyke to see if he had a gun."

"Here's what the rascal was up to," said the corporal, holding a
Mauser above his head. "Good thing you saw him when you did, Jack."

The storm was coming nearer; the first gust of wind had just struck
them. It blew back the Filipino's little checkered frock. The corporal
saw a glitter.

"Watch out! boys, he's got a machete under his coat," said the
corporal.

He was searched for more weapons and then marched inside the American
lines and taken directly to headquarters. A drum-head court was
convened at once and the prisoner led in.

With hands clinched, muscles taut, eyes piercing at the court, he
listened to the reading of the charge:

"Caught acting as a spy for the enemy in violation of the Articles
of War; armed, with intent to take the life of an American sentry
on guard!"

After the testimony had been taken, the prisoner was given a chance
to speak, but he absolutely refused to do so, even though addressed
in several different languages and dialects.

"He spoke Spanish to us as we captured him," interjected the corporal.

"GUILTY!"

said the lieutenant-colonel who was presiding, in a firm military
tone. "The court fixes the penalty at death, and sentences the prisoner
to be shot at sun-rise."

"Remove him, Sergeant, and detail a firing squad to execute the order
of the court!"

As the prisoner was led away, the lieutenant-colonel dropped his
chin in the palms of his hands as he rested his elbows on his knees,
and muttered in a semi-regretful way: "I hate to do it; but in the
past we have always been so chicken-hearted about punishing these
blood-thirsty natives that they have now come to regard our kindness
as cowardice. I can't help but feel that it will bring the war to a
close quicker if we deal with them hereafter with a good firm hand."

"I wonder what province the young fellow came from," said a major
who was sitting near.

"I really don't know," replied the lieutenant-colonel: "his face shows
him to be a Tagalo. Certain it is that he didn't come from Isabella
province in which we are now campaigning. I wouldn't be surprised if
Aguinaldo were near here and if he had sent this young dare-devil to
cut down our sentry, so as to make an attack upon us tonight during
the storm."

Toward morning the storm subsided. At day-break a comparatively shallow
grave was hastily