SURROUNDED BY THE ENEMY
For the moment after Dan Casey spoke Ben was silent, not knowing
himself what was best to do. That the Filipinos were surrounding them
there could be no doubt, since those approaching would have answered
the young captain of Company D had they been Americans.
The position of the pair was dangerous in the extreme, for the tall
cane-stalks surrounded them upon all sides, giving shelter to the
enemy, while the Tagals could see the volunteers with ease.
"Keep quiet, Casey," whispered Ben, as the soldier started to speak
again. "They may not know how many there are of us here and sneak off,
fearing an ambush."
The Irish volunteer nodded to show that he understood. He was holding
his gun before him, ready to shoot whenever it appeared necessary.
Presently there was another whispered command, coming from directly in
front of our friends. A slight movement in the cane-brake followed,
and then all became silent once more.
"Come!" whispered Ben. "Don't fire until you see me do so."
Thus speaking, the young captain moved slowly and cautiously from the
spot they had occupied for five minutes or more. He picked his steps,
and they fell as silently as those of a cat after a bird. Casey was at
his heels, almost holding his breath, and his small eyes glistening
with expectancy. Both knew that they were carrying their lives in
their hands.
Two rods had been covered, and still nothing was seen of the
Filipinos. Was it possible that they had withdrawn? But no, there was
another cracking of cane-stalks and another command in the Tagalog
language, coming now from their left. Then of a sudden a Mauser rang
out, and a bullet whistled back of Ben's head and across Casey's
face.
The report had not yet died out when Ben fired, straight for the flash
of fire of which he had caught a momentary glimpse. That his shot
reached its mark was proven by the wild yell of pain which followed.
"The jig is up!" cried Dan Casey. "We must run fer it, captain!" And
as a Tagal came into view before them he fired point-blank at the
fellow, hitting him in the breast and killing him on the spot.
As luck would have it, the Filipino whom Casey had killed was a petty
officer and the leader of the detachment, and his sudden taking-off
disconcerted the insurgents for a minute, who yelled one to another
that their leader was shot. Taking advantage of the confusion, our
friends rushed headlong through the cane-brake, firing several times
as they ran. A dozen shots answered them, but none of these took
effect.
"I think the road is yonder," said Ben, pointing with his pistol as
they progressed. "Hark!"
From a distance came a scattering volley, proving that the fighting
was not yet over. It came from the direction in which they were
running. But now those left behind were after them, shooting and
shouting with vigor, for they were ten to two, and were determined
that the wicked _Americanos_ should not escape their clutches.
At last the cane-brake was left behind. Beyond was a small part of a
rice-field, and close by a cottage which appeared deserted.
"Sure, captain, an' we'll be shot down like dogs if we show ourselves
in th' open," panted Casey, who was almost out of breath.
"Get behind the house," answered Ben. "It is our one chance," and he
started in advance. Again the Filipinos fired on them, and this time a
bullet touched the young captain's side, cutting a straight hole
through his clothing.
They were yet a hundred feet from the cottage when two American
soldiers came rushing forth, guns in hand. The strangers took in the
situation at a glance, and let drive with such good aim that two of
the enemy fell back wounded. The others paused, not knowing how many
Americans might be concealed in the building, and in another minute
Ben and Casey were for the time being safe.
"By gum, ef it ain't Captain Russell!" cried one of the soldiers, as
he faced Ben. "I'm right glad to be yere to help ye, cap'n," and he
smiled broadly.
"Ralph Sorrel!" returned Ben, as he recognized the tall Tennesseean
who had once accompanied him on a search for Gilbert when the young
Southerner was missing. "What are you doing here?"
"Jeming an' me hev got a wounded man with us--Sergeant Kaser o' our
company. We war takin' him back o' the lines, when he got so bad we
brung him in yere to rest a spell. But you--"
"Thim rebels is comin' agin!" announced Dan Casey. "Six, eight, nine
av thim, wid wan limpin'. How many av us are there here?" he asked, as
he looked around.
"Four," answered Ben. "Load up, boys, and when you shoot--"
"We'll make every shot tell," answered Jeming, a hardy-looking
soldier, almost as tall as his companion.
"I don't believe they will come very close," continued Ben. "They know
that we have the advantage of them, even if we are but four to nine."
The young captain was right. The Filipinos had showed themselves only
for a few seconds. Now, as Sorrel raised his gun, they lost no time in
darting behind cover.
The cottage consisted of four rooms, all on the ground floor, and a
low loft upstairs. It was well built and fairly furnished in native
fashion. On the single bed it contained lay the wounded soldier,
Sergeant Kaser, whom Ben had met several times. He was hit in the
neck, and looked as if he could last but a few hours at the most.
"Sorry we can't git ye back to camp, sergeant," said Sorrel, as he did
what he could to ease the wounded one's pain. "The house is surrounded
by the enemy. I reckon we kin keep 'em out, but I reckon likewise thet
they kin keep us in--at least fer a while."
"It--don't--matter," gasped Sergeant Kaser. "I am not--not--long for
this world. What a terrible thing war is! I never thought I was going
to be shot down like this!" And he gave another gasp. His eyes were
staring from his head, for he was suffering severe pain.
Ben looked around the cottage for something which might be given to
the sufferer to ease him. But the dwelling had been stripped of all
small things, and nothing in the way of food, drink, or medicine
remained. Sorrel had already bound a handkerchief soaked in cold water
around the wounded neck, so nothing more could be done, excepting to
raise the sufferer up to a sitting position, at his request. "I don't
know as thet is best fer him," whispered the tall Tennesseean to Ben.
"But he ain't long fer this world, as he says, an' he might as well
hev his wish as not."
In the meantime Casey and Jeming were on guard, one watching to the
front and right, the other to the left and rear. The nearest building
to the cottage was a hundred and fifty feet away, but bushes and small
trees were numerous, and the Americans were afraid the rebels might
try to sneak up behind these and surprise them.
"Something is moving over there," announced Jeming, after watching
several of the bushes for a short spell. "Can't make out, though, if
it's man or beast."
"Have you plenty of ammunition?" asked Ben, who, as an officer, felt
in charge of the party.
"Seventeen rounds, captain."
"And how about you, Casey?"
"Fifteen rounds," returned the Irish volunteer, after counting up the
contents of his belt.
"I have twelve rounds, captain," came from Sorrel. "But I reckon you
know how I shoot, an' Jeming's jest as good, mebbe better."
"I think the supply is sufficient," said Ben, "so don't run any
chances. If you think that is an enemy give him a shot. But don't hit
one of our fellows by mistake," he added, by way of caution.
"It's a Tagal!" cried Jeming, while the young captain was yet beside
him. The gun was levelled like a flash, a report followed, and the
Filipino fell behind the bushes and was seen no more.
"Thet will teach 'em to keep their distance," was Sorrel's comment.
"Perhaps they'll clear out soon, bein' afeered some more o' our troops
will come this way."
But the natives were "game," as Ben expressed it; and instead of
withdrawing, they began to come closer, using every bush, tree, and
outbuilding to the best advantage. Some of their fellows had joined
them, so that the attacking party now numbered fifteen, and each well
armed. They had seen that Ben wore the uniform of a captain, and felt
that the capture of such an officer would be much to their credit.
Sergeant Kaser was now groaning so that he could be heard even outside
of the building, and as the rebels had fired through the windows
several times, they concluded that they had wounded one of the four
men they knew to be inside. If this was so, but three _Americanos_
were now left, and they felt that victory would soon be within their
grasp.
"Surrendor, or we kill eferyboddy!" cried one of the number, in
English that could scarcely be understood. "We haf dreety mens
outside."
"We ain't surrenderin', not by a jugful!" answered Sorrel. "What in
thunder does he mean by 'dreety mens'?" he added, to his companions.
"I think he means thirty," answered Ben. "But I don't believe there
are that many."
"Yes, but there are more than there was," announced Casey, quickly.
"I'm just afther seein' 'em pass yonder bushes." He had pointed his
gun, but the Filipinos had been too quick for him.
"Do you surrendor?" demanded the voice again. "We shall begin to shoot
if you no gif up."
"No surrender," answered Ben, firmly.
Hardly had he spoken when something came rolling toward the cottage
and stopped close to the porch. It was a rude ball made of sugar-cane
husks and over a foot in diameter. The ball was ablaze and burning
fiercely, as if covered with pitch.