The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-14


ings and windows manned Slngu1arly
enough. these defensive actions seem.
ed at least temporarily unnecessary, for
the watchers peering out of the win
dows reported that the dead alone oc-
cupied the recent field OF battle. Not
a single Filipino was to be seen on the
plaza.
Every village has its convent or bar
rios. Generally speaking. their size
corresponds In n certain ratio with the
population. But this particular build
ing was an exception. Dimly lighted,
it gave the impression of ranking in
size with many OF those in far larger
villages. Immediately the thought
came TO the invaders that the church
might have sheltered the insursent
leaders. Aguinaldo or Pillar might
have directed the attack from inside
these walls. Orders were given to
search every corner and crevice to
ferret out concealed foes. A rear win
dow was open, proving that fight
could have been by that means Of
egress. Bansemer was almost posi-
tive that the bullet which had killed
his assailant had come from one Of
the upper windows, but whether from
friend or foe was Understandable.
Were they not in a cunningly planned
trap of some kind?
Considerably perplexed, Bansemer
decided to keep on his guard. He was
ruthlessly searching the chancel when
deep groan caught his attention.
Presently, as he paused to listen. n
dark figure leaped toward him from a
recess back of the altar. The fash of
a pistol blinded him and momentarily
u sharp pain shot through his arm. but
he recovered in time to throw his tall
frame forward upon the slight, almost
indistinguishable figure. There was a
short struggle, and before his COM
rade could reach him his adversary
was safely pinned to the floor. A
moment later the torches in the hands
of his friends were, burning brightly
above the figure of his captive-a slen-
der boy who choked with terror and
rage.
"Who are you, my young friend ?"
asked Bansemer, holding the boy at
arms length.
There was no answer from the tight
" closed lips. and Bansemer shook him
little roughly. Then for the first time
pino. His skin was dark. but not the
skin of the natives. The handsome.
boyish face had regular features Eu-
ropean in character.
"Spaniardf' inquired Bansemer a tri-
fie more gently, and again the boy
flashed look of hatred into his cap
tors eyes.
Look here, my young spalpeen.' -
said Cornell gruffiy, Filipino or Span
lard, if you want to save your hide
you'd better answer questions-and no
lies, do you hear|
At this threat a deep groan was
heard to come from somewhere back
In the recesses of the chancel. The
men were startled. Involuntarily the
boy cast a furtive glance In that direc-
ton. Connell noticed II and, leaving
the boy with Bansemer, hurried away
and soon was looking down into the
face of a PROSTATE man. young, but
aged with emaciation.
You must not touch him! Don't you
see that he is dying?' cried the boy
piteously in broken English. He can
not fight you; he's dying" and then In
a perfect frenzy of rage to Bansemer.
LET me go-pig!
Not until afterward did Bansemer
recall that in the general excitement II
was the boy who dragged him along
to the spot. And in spite of the solem.
nifty of the scene there was something
In his manner of delivering the insult
that amused rather than angered the
American.
"Plucky little devil" he said hall
aloud.
Again the sick man groaned. tried to
rise from the blankets and speak. but
only to fall back moaning. Connell
cautioned him against exertion and
promised that no harm should come to
either Of them. While he reported the
discovery to Captain Groce, he had the
man carried to another part of the
church and there made comforta Bile
! For the first time now Bansemer began
to notice the pain in his arm. Some
what angrily he turned to the boy:
Come! Give an account Of yourself
How came you here?"
Prisoners" was the sulien answer
"Of the Filipinos?" Bansemer asked
in surprise.
Yes"
Then why did you try to kill mer
II hate you both! We SpanIards
have we not as much to fear from you
What difference does color make In
brutes?''
by the holy apostles! You're &
gritty young 'un!' growled the return
ing sergeant Who's the other chap ?
My brother-he's dying" said th'
boy, his voice softening. Holy Virgin
save him, For weeks we've been ii
the hands Of Aguinaldo's men. He:
been SO Ill all the time. Have you Z
doctor?"
/ a surgeon will probably be witt
/ US before long" was the sergeant
3, evasive reply.
! Bansemer looked searchingly at Con
/ nell. What he saw in the others eye:
/ caused him sharp pang OF grief
| Both men turned their faces away fol-
| a moment, and 1t was with gulp tina
| Connell continued:
/ Your brother will have the best o.
/ care If we get out Of this mess. Yol
are both safe. We are not fighting th'