Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-02-18
Author Of Beverly Of Graustark." I

Fighting Size by side with Rogers, he
saw, with horror. that the soldiers
rifle had been torn from his hands
and that he had no weapon to defend
himself but before he could see just
how 1t happened this individual COM
bat had altered its aspect, Rogers had
grabbed the Filipino's gun and was
doing the clubbing. With renewed
zest Bansemer finished with the bayo-
net his own assailant and saw the
man fall on top of poor Adams and
Relander
Suddenly there was an exultant yell
from the enemy. Instinctively Banse-
mer knew that one side Of the square
had given way Quickly turning, he
rushed to give his aid and just in time
caught the arm of native about to
slash him with huge knife. With the
two gripped hands high in the air
struggling for mastery the adversaries
became separated a bit from the rest
of the chaotic mass of friend and foe,
swaying out TO one side of the plaza
and under the walls of convent.
Bansemer was facing 1t, and just at
the moment that he felt his strength
giving way and could See grin Of
triumph on the fiendish face there
came a fash and a report, and his ad-
versary fell at his feet. CHANGING up to
ascertain who had fired the shot that
had saved his life, he thought he saw
a figure disappearing from one Of the
windows. The incident acted as an
inspiration. Gathering together a few
men, he reached the captains side and
communicated his plan. The opportu-
nifty was not to be lost. Groce gave an
order; Connell repeated it. Then in
terpreting temporary lull In the MUIR
derous struggle as their vantage, the
field piece, broke for the building and
by bayoneting and clubbing the insur-
gents out of the way accomplished the
dash with slight loss. The soldiers
hurled themselves against the stoutly
barred door. 1t fell with a crash.
Guards were stationed and all open
ings and windows manned. Singularly
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 a certain ratio with the
population. But this particular build
ing was an exception. Dimly lighted,
1t 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 insurgent
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
the upper windows, but whether from
friend or foe was Understandable.
Were they not in cunningly planned
trap Of some kind?
Considerably perplexed Bansemer
decided to keep on his guard He was
ruthlessly searching the chancel when
a deep groan caught his attention.
Presently, as he paused to listen, a
dark figure leaped toward him from a
recess back Of the altar. The fash Of
a pistol blinded him and momentarily
a 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
he perceived that he was not a Fill
pino. His skin was dark but not the
skin of the natives. The handsome,
boyish face had regular features Eu-
ropean In character.
"SpaniardT' inquired Bansemer tri-
fe more gently. and again the boy
flashed look of hatred into his cap
tors eyes.
''Look here, my young spalpeen,"
said Connell 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 weve startled. Involuntarily the
boy cast furtive glance In that direc-
ton. Connell noticed 1t 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 dyingT cried the boy
piteously in broken English. He can
not fight you; he's dying" and then In
q perfect frenzy of rage to Bansemer.
ALet me go-pig!'