The question is, Cortland, what are we going to do in answer to this
defiance?" suggested Captain Freeman, of C Company.

"What are we going to do?" asked Cortland, his face becoming even
graver. "We have a very small command here, but there's only one thing
we can do. Hakkut has defied us, and, unless he is punished for it, the
native respect for American authority in these islands will soon be less
than nothing. What are we going to do? There is nothing that we can do
but send the strongest column of men that we can spare up into the
mountains on the double-quick. We've got to root out that brown
scoundrel, and send him and his band running as fast as they can go, or
else we shall be forced to admit to the natives that the claim of the
American nation to govern Mindanao is only a stupid joke. Our expedition
must start before noon!"

"Who will command the column?" inquired Captain Freeman.

"You will command, Freeman. I would give half a year's pay to head the
expedition myself, but I am post commander here, and after the greater
part of the troops have started the problem here at Bantoc is going to
be such a serious one that I feel obliged to remain here and handle it
myself."

After thinking a few moments longer, Captain Cortland continued:

"Freeman, you will take sixty men from B Company, and the same number
from C Company. I can spare you but two officers, for I shall need the
services of Bay and Hampton here. So Holmes will command the C Company
detachment, and Prescott the B Company detachment, while you will
command the expedition. You will also take one of the two Gatling guns
that we have at this post. You will take two wagons for ammunition and
one for hospital and similar supplies. Your men will carry such field
and emergency rations as you can. For the rest of your food you will
have to depend upon the country through which you will pass. I am sorry
for this, but on a swift, hard-fighting expedition a command the size of
yours cannot be burdened with more wagons."

"That is true," spoke Captain Freeman thoughtfully. "Well, we shall have
to do the best we can with the amount of transport and rations that you
can put at our disposal. I am anxious now, sir, to get started with the
preparations as rapidly as possible."

"Good; it is half-past nine now. You should be ready to march by----"

"By half-past eleven at the latest," supplied Captain Freeman, rising.

Never were preparations more rushed, nor