or just such
an undertaking as to-night's. It seems, sir, that having failed with us,
he succeeded in getting on the right side of Corporal Duxbridge."

"Where, I wonder?" muttered the captain. "And where is the Corporal?"

"Just taken up above with the wounded, sir," replied Lieutenant Holmes.
"Corporal Duxbridge was hit, sir."

"Let us go up to see him. Where are the six natives?"

"Tied, sir, and up with the wounded."

Corporal Duxbridge, when the commanding officer visited him, felt
sheepish enough, despite the great pain he was in. He now readily
explained how Tomba, under the assumed name of Davo, had made his
acquaintance in Bantoc. Tomba had spent money so freely in entertaining
him that Duxbridge had been certain that the man must be a wealthy,
good-natured Tagalo.

"I hope you've learned a lesson, Corporal," said Captain Freeman sadly.
"You're one of five wounded in to-night's performance, and two of our
finest men are dead."

Corporal Duxbridge covered his face with his hands.

"I was a big fool," he confessed brokenly.

There were no more attacks that night, but in the morning the Moros
developed a new style of trouble. All through the day, from one point or
another, they kept the American trenches under fire at frequent
intervals. Captain Freeman, however, refused to allow his men to waste
ammunition. They must not fire until the brown men attempted an assault.

That night only half rations were served to the defenders of the hill.
There was but little food left. During the night there were three
assaults against the force on the hill, though none of them were
desperately fought.

"Hakkut is going to adopt a new trick of keeping us awake day and
night," muttered Captain Freeman grimly.

The next day there was more annoying firing against the trenches, though
the Moros had learned their lesson too well to attempt any rushes during
daylight.

Just after dark, that evening, Captain Freeman sent for his officers. He
also allowed Hal and Noll and two sergeants from C Company to be on hand
to hear the discussion.

"To-morrow night, at the latest, we've got to fight our way out of
here," announced Captain Freeman. "To remain here later than to-morrow
night will be to invite starvation--which, in our position, means
nothing less than destruction. I fear, too, that we shall be obliged to
abandon our transport wagons. Our wounded we can carry on stretchers
made with poles and blankets. There must be