pines. The Filipinos were following them, although taking good care
not to expose themselves needlessly to the fire of such a crack
marksman as Boxer had proved himself to be.

From behind the tangle of growth, the three Americans watched the
skilful advance of the enemy with dismay. "They are trying to surround
us!" whispered Boxer. Then like a flash his rifle went up. The report
was followed by a yell of pain, and a Filipino fell into view from
behind a tree less than fifty yards distant. The poor fellow was hit
in the side, but managed to crawl back into cover again, groaning
dismally.

Leroy also fired, a second later, aiming at a tall Tagal who was
crossing a clearing to their left. If he hit his mark, the rebel gave
no sign, but the man disappeared in a great hurry. Then came a
crashing through the bushes below and to the left, proving that the
Filipinos were massing in those directions.

"Perhaps we had better try to crawl away from this--" began Larry,
when a humming sound caught his ear. At the same time the sky grew
black.

"Look! look!" yelled Leroy. "What is this--the end of the world?"

All looked up. The humming had increased to a whistle, and now came a
crashing of trees and brush mingled with the wild cries of the
Filipinos as they rushed away toward a near-by mountain stream. They
knew what was coming, even if our friends did not.

And then the tornado was almost upon them. I say almost, for, thanks
to an all-ruling Providence, it did not strike them fairly, but rushed
to one side, where the Filipinos had been gathering. The light of day
seemed to die out utterly, and the air was filled with flying debris
and screaming birds and wild animals made homeless on the instant. The
very earth seemed to quake with the violence of the trees uprooted,
and branches and dirt flew all over the Americans, until they were
buried as completely as Ben and his companions had been. Larry thought
it was indeed the end of the world, and breathed a silent prayer that
God might watch over him and those he loved.

At last the rushing wind ceased, and the crashing was lost in the
distance. But the birds kept up their wild cries, and for several
seconds neither Larry nor those with him moved, wondering if that was
the end of the tornado, or if worse was to follow. But it was the end,
and gradually they came forth one after another, to gaze on the mighty
wreckage about them. It was Leroy who raised his hand solemnly to