But just at twelve o'clock, General Davis stepped forward, watch in
hand, and took one long, lingering look in the direction of Fort
Binidayan, and then, not seeing any signs of a peace envoy, but, on the
contrary, every indication of hostility, he turned slowly to Captain W.
S. McNair, of the 25th Battery, and gave the signal to "let her go."
"Boom," echoed the little mountain guns, and away went a shrapnel
screaming across the open and just three and six-tenths seconds after,
exploded immediately over the fort.
Instantly figures were seen hurrying to and fro about the fort.
"Boom!" went another, this time at the clump of bamboo on the right.
A puff of smoke, and then,--a cloud of dust immediately in front of the
bamboo--told the tale only too well to the gunners.
The battle of the Bayan forts had begun.
Quick movements were observed here and there, companies were being
assigned their positions, orders were being transmitted like lightning
from point to point, and in less time than it takes to narrate it, that
body of men were swung into action like the pendulum of a clock.