stant later there was a shout that was soon changed to a wail. In
the growing daylight several of the Moro fighters had recognized the
grisly message that had been hurled to them. Half a dozen fighting men
dropped their weapons, picked up the datto's body and hurried off with
it to a grove beyond.

Within two minutes the fighting had stopped. The Moros had fled to the
grove, from which a loud, nerve-racking wailing now ascended.

Captain Freeman climbed to the top of the wall.

"We could wipe them out by the hundreds with the Gatling now," he
remarked grimly. "However, I fancy it won't be necessary."

In half an hour the wailing of the Moros had ceased. They had gone
farther away, and the regulars were content to remain behind the walls.
While half of the effective troops were left on the walls, the other
half prepared and ate their breakfast from the abundant food supplies
found in the fort. After that the other half breakfasted.

That forenoon Lieutenant Holmes was sent out with a scouting force of
thirty men. Two hours later he returned, stating that he had been unable
to find any signs of the enemy.

In the afternoon Lieutenant Prescott and thirty men marched back to
camp. There they found the transport wagons and horses uninjured, and
returned with them to the fort after having set the half dozen native
prisoners free.

"I fancy the cruel war is over, gentlemen," remarked Captain Freeman
that evening to his two younger officers. "These Moros, like other
semi-savages, fight with heart only when they have a great leader. In
this way, the Datto Hakkut was a great man. For ten years he has been
the scourge of northern Mindanao, but now we shall have a rest from him.
He will never again disturb the peace of the island."

Early the following morning Lieutenant Prescott was sent out at the head
of forty men, Hal and Noll accompanying him. Unless attacked by superior
force this detachment was to remain out all day, scouting through the
country for signs of the enemy.

In the morning two native villages were found close to the principal
road through the mountains. As the natives appeared to have no weapons,
and offered no trouble, they were not molested.

"You may be sure, though, Sergeant Overton," remarked Lieutenant
Prescott, "that very nearly all of the men we have seen so far to-day
served lately under the datto. However, if they have learned a lesson,
and are now bent on peace, we won't molest them."

In