The Monte Vista journal., 1909-03-13

iOre. Inc man WakeneO ana graSped
a fellow. who in turn communicated
the signal. Silently they rolled into a
circle, each man with heels to the
center and lying on his rife. At a
low signal, the pickets fell back
slightly. Thus they awaited the rush
which Byrnton had anticipated at the
dawn. 1t came with the first crimson
streaks and before 1t was light enough
for the enemy to perceive that pickets
had fallen in and the Americans were
ready for them. There was a fierce
onc0ming OF shrieks and hacking
bolos. 1t lasted perhaps three min
utes. Then the bolo men fell back
from devastating fire, leaving dead
and wounded to twice the number
they had attacked Two sentries who
had been overtaken before they could
get in constituted the American loss.
To the comfortable citizen unfold.
ing the morning paper over his coffee.
the telegraphic item is gratifying:
American loss. 2; Filipino, AS" But
to the soldiers who had lived the
struggle. those two men seemed a
preposterous. an unholy price for the
score or more naked savages.
I'VE can't bury Them" said Byrn-
ton. bitterly, and we can't pursue. l
think the brutes have had enough for
one day-unless there's a fresh gang
every five miles. The business of this
outfit In Its present condition is to
get over these hills as fast as we can.
and put something inside Of us-if
We can get It,"
Light-headed from hunger. they
worked their way over the next noun
tain. They found few bananas. and
the men slaked their thirst at brooks
and even In caribao wallows. BY
eight O'Clock the tropic sun was
blistering; by ten. all nature was
dropping and lifeless. Byrnton noted
the growing weakness OF his soldiers.
and the pitiful, sidelong glances with
which one. a youngster OF %. seemed
to question his probable action.
At last the boy stopped with a gasp.
It's no use. lieutenant, he sobbed. Il
can't go another step"
He tried to stand at attention. but
his legs crumpled under him, and with
CHASTITY look. he sank in a horrid.
trembling heap. His head bobbed
meaninglessly for second. then
Topped over.
Put out sentries. and let the men
rest" ordered Byrnton. adding: Il
can't leave the poor devil till he comes
to his senses; must give him that
much OF show. and-he can save the
last cartridge for himself. There are
no two men-or four men-here. who
can carry him"
The relieved men dropped to the
ground. painting. Byrnton sat long.
staring at the grassy peaks above. at
the forests that crept up their sides.
at the clear cut brilliance Of every
thing-the bluest Of skies. the green.
sunshine. Suddenly he sprang to his
feet.
I'm damned II I'm going to die like
a trapped animal. or let my men do It.
either. Milford. take the three
strongest men, and go into the brush.
Bring me the first native you can col.
lar-man. woman or child"
III sCAHt naII HOuT MItIOIu anu
the three men came back. dripping
with perspiration and leading a swar
thy native woman and n boy OF con
siderably fa!rer complexion.
Byrnton gave one quick contemptu
GUS glance at the woman's stupid
countenance. but frightened ut the
alertness Of the boys expression.
L. eat. he
examination. simultaneously the two
began to whine: Am bot"
They pretend they don't under
stand. Mebbe they don't. don't
back my visayan-" He scratched
at y mosquito bite. and looked help.
lesxly about.
"Donde barrio?' said Byrnton.
sharply. to the lad.
Tho boy spread his hands. and
looked around. Am bot" he re-
peated.
Byrnton bit his lip. Then he cut .
pliable bamboo.
II suspect. young man." he said. in
rather manxled Spanish. that you
understand Spanish: that your father
ID . mestixo teniente deputy Of
some barrio tvillaGc). and likely ~
not . captain OF insurrectos. We want
your barrio nrxt. because We want
something 10 eat: and We would like
to md him because we need informa.
ton and guides. I am going to Ques
ton you In Spanish. and Ill liven up
your memory by . good licking II Il
vorks uooriv Oonde harrio?"