o we were caught, this
afternoon, and taken before the Datto Hakkut. He ordered us into his
ranks to fight. We demurred, and four of my fellows were cut down before
my eyes. Then we accepted arms. But to-night we tried to creep through
the datto's lines and get here. All but the six men with me were caught,
and their fate must have been awful."

Senor Davo shuddered, then went on:

"I come to beseech you that you allow my poor fellows to come inside
your lines. You know me, Corporal, and know that we're all right."

"Yes, bring your men inside our line," decided Corporal Duxbridge. "I'll
vouch for you, Senor Davo, to our commanding officer."

Protesting his undying gratitude, Davo went below for his men, and
brought them inside the lines, a sorry looking lot of fellows who at
once threw themselves down as if to sleep.

"You'll notify Sergeant Overton, of course?" suggested the soldier who
had first halted Davo.

"You mind your business, Strong," Corporal Duxbridge rebuked him. "I'll
notify the sergeant in good time."

But Hal, as it happened, was nearer than had been imagined. Unobserved
he had listened to the whole conversation. Now, Overton hastened
silently away, awaking Lieutenant Holmes and ten soldiers. Without undue
haste these marched down on Duxbridge's station.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"The officer of the day and the sergeant of the guard," came the
response, in Lieutenant Holmes's crisp tones.

"Advance, sir."

The seven new arrivals lay on the ground, apparently sound asleep. Davo
had his hat over his face, and was snoring lightly.

"Who are these new men in camp, Corporal?" demanded Holmes sharply.

"Fugitives from the datto's lines, sir. I was about to notify the
sergeant of the guard, sir."

"Don't let them get away," spoke Hal quickly to the men, "and remember
that they're armed with steel! This fellow, who calls himself Davo is
Vicente Tomba, a Tagalo who is right-hand man to the datto," added the
sergeant, bending and snatching the hat from the Tagalo's face.

It was truly Tomba, who, with a snarl, leaped to his feet ere Hal
Overton could grab him.

"Shoot him!" ordered Lieutenant Holmes, as Tomba went over the trench
and down the slope at sprinting speed. Three or four rifles spoke, but
Tomba escaped in the darkness.

Not so, however, with the men Tomba had brought with him. Not one of
them escaped. All were stretched on the ground senseless, having been
clubbed with the butts o