f the soldiers' rifles. Then, a quick search
under the shirt of each of the rascals, revealed a creese with blade
ground to a razor edge.

"You see, Corporal," ripped out Sergeant Hal, "these scoundrels were
going to watch their chance to knife you all in the dark. Then the Moros
would have rushed in at this point, and----"

Hal's prediction was verified, at that instant, by the breaking out of a
fiendish chorus of yells down the slope. The Moros, waiting below, were
advancing to a night attack.

"Bugler of the guard! Sound the general alarm!" roared out Lieutenant
Holmes's steady tones.

CHAPTER XXI

SCOUTING IN DEADLY EARNEST

It was a ferocious attack, promptly and staunchly met.

Soldiers in the field on campaign sleep in their full clothing, their
rifles at their sides. It takes not more than ten seconds to turn a
soldier out in the night, fully awake and ready for orders. The
knowledge that their lives depend upon their promptness keeps the men in
condition for quick obedience.

Even the Gatling was ready at the top of the hill. From point to point
it was dragged, and wherever it was served the midnight assailants soon
drew back.

For twenty minutes the conflict was kept up, often at closest quarters.
But at last the sounding of the Moro horns in the rear called off the
assailants, who fled in the darkness.

"How did this all happen, Mr. Holmes?" asked Captain Freeman. "I must
congratulate you on being alert and ready for the brown men."

"Sergeant Overton had just called me, sir. And I think you will wish to
hear what he has to say."

Hal was sent for and reported instantly.

"I know, now, sir, why Tomba wanted to make my acquaintance, and that of
Sergeant Terry, sir," Hal explained, and then told what had happened.

"How did Corporal Duxbridge ever happen to do a thing like that?"
demanded Freeman angrily.

"Tomba had already made the Corporal's acquaintance, sir. Tomba wanted
to make mine, and Terry's, as soon as he knew the Thirty-fourth was
coming to these southern islands. It was Tomba's belief that he could
run a gang of creese men past us, and get inside where he could knife
the nearest soldiers, and then let an attacking party in."

"If the Moros had ever gotten through our line they'd have wiped the
camp out to-night," exclaimed Captain Freeman.

"Of course they would, sir, and that is the way in which Tomba, even in
Manila, had planned to make our acquaintance, and use it f