Suddenly, back on the ridge where the Artillery were stationed the clear
notes of a bugle were heard, sounding "Charge."
Instantly those blue shirted figures away up on the grassy slope, rose
as if by magic, and then pressed forward and upward, with a yell that
was sufficient in itself to route the enemy, and it did route them, for
the Moros were fleeing and falling back on Fort Pandapatan by hundreds.
The troops reached the very walls and there paused for an instant--to
gain breath, then a command rang out, clear and cool, and it seemed that
one mighty wave swept on and over the walls, and in an instant more,
those standing back on the ridge where the Artillery was, saw "Old
Glory" unfurled to the breeze from the shattered walls of Fort
Binidayan.
The first position of the enemy had been taken without loss to the
Americans.
But not so fortunate for the Moros, for here and there a mangled body of
a dusky warrior dotted nature's carpet, some already dead, others
breathing their last, but stubbornly defying the Americans to do their
worst.
At this stage of the battle there came a distinct lull in the firing,
and both sides took advantage of it to "take a hitch" and prepare for
the real battle, which was yet to come.
During this lull the Artillery closed up and took their new position on
Binidayan hill, a little to the south of the fort.
Floating over Fort Pandapatan there were no less than twenty large red
flags.
Most of the Moros had already fallen back on this stronghold and they
could plainly be seen, throwing up extra intrenchments.
It was now two o'clock and the real work was about to begin.
Companies "E" and "F" started straight down the Binidayan hill in the
direction of Pandapatan, while "B" Company was sent to the right.
After the Infantry had crossed the little valley in front, the Artillery
opened up and the big fight was on.