ate the
position of the enemy," remarked Captain Freeman warmly. "Now our course
is clear. You understand my plan, gentlemen?"

The two young lieutenants quickly assented.

"We shall have to abandon our transport wagons, though I think we shall
have no difficulty in recovering them later," went on the commanding
officer. "Waken all the men, and have each man carry as much ammunition
as he can pack. The Gatling gun goes with us, of course."

"And the wounded men, sir?" asked Lieutenant Prescott.

"Those still unable to walk will have to be carried on the same blanket
stretchers. Caution these wounded men that, no matter what discomfort
they may suffer on the trip, not one is to make a sound. Our lives are
at stake. Now hustle, gentlemen! We must march from this position in
less than twenty minutes."

"And the prisoners, sir?" asked Lieutenant Greg Holmes.

"Bind the prisoners and gag them, and do it effectively. We can't trust
a prisoner on a dash like this. Leave them behind, but be sure that they
can't effect their own escape. Gentlemen, I look to your effective aid
in playing a most brilliant trick on the enemy."

Twelve minutes later the column started. They moved in three bodies. In
advance were twelve picked men of B Company, under Sergeant Overton.
Captain Freeman accompanied this little advance guard.

At a suitable interval behind marched fifty men under Lieutenant
Prescott.

Last of all Lieutenant Holmes headed the remainder of the expedition.
With this rear guard marched such of the wounded men as were able to
walk. The others of the wounded were carried on blanket stretchers.

Silently, like a procession of ghosts, moved the American troops. The
rain had moderated to a drizzle, but there was no star in sight to throw
the least ray of light over the tropical scene.

Almost as straight as a bullet could have been fired Sergeant Hal led
the advance guard to the mouth of the gully. There was no challenge, no
shot fired by the enemy. A minute's halt; then the advance guard quickly
followed Sergeant Overton into the gully, Captain Freeman stepping just
behind the leader.

When they were two thirds of the way through, Sergeant Hal, who was
still in his native costume, held up his hand as a signal to halt. The
signal was passed back through the advance.

"I think you'd better wait here a few minutes, sir," whispered Hal to
the commanding officer. "I'll hand my rifle to one of the men and then
stroll f