Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1909-04-01

fore. The man wakened and grasped
q fellow, who In turn communicated
the signal. Silently they rolled Into q
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 ut the
dawn. II came with the first crimson
streaks and before II was light enough
for the enemy 10 perceive that pickets
had fallen In and the Americans were
ready for them. There was fierce
oncomlng OF shrieks and hacking
bolos. It lasted perhaps three min
utes. Then the bolo men fell back,
from q 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 Geographic item is gratifying:
american loss, 2; Filipino, 49," 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. !
think the brutes have had enough for
one day-unless there's 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, youngster OF %, seemed
to question his probable action.
At last the boy stopped with a gasp.
Its no use, lieutenant, he sobbed. II
can't go another STEP"
He tried to stand at attention. but
his legs crumpled under him, and with
q 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 a 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.
est OF verdure, the most dazzling OF
sunshine. Suddenly he sprang to his
feet.
I'm damned If I'm going to die like
a trapped animal, or let my men do 1t,
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"
In scant half hour Milford and
the three men came back, dripping
with Precipitation and leading swar
thy native woman and boy Of con
siderably fairer complexion.
Byrnton gave one quick contemptu'
GUS glance at the woman's stupid
countenance, but frightened at the
alertness of the boys expression.
A soldier, in fair visayan. began the
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 a mosquito bite, and looked help
lessly about.
'Donde barri0! SAID Byrnton
sharply, to the lad
The boy spread his hands, and
looked around. Am bot" he re
peated.
Byrnton bit his lip. Then he cut .
pliable bamboo.
Il suspect, young man." he said, liz
rather mangled Spanish, that you
understand Spanish: that your father
Is a mestlzo teniente deputy OF
some barrio (village), and likely as
not captain Of insurrectos. We want
your barrio first, because we want
something to eat; and we would like
to find him because we need informa'
ton and guides. I am going to ques
ton you in Spanish, and I'll liven UP
your memory by good licking II II
works poorly. Donde barrio?"