of sight, quick!" The cry came from Ben. "It's our only chance to
escape."

The words had scarcely left his lips when the pop-pop of several
Mausers was heard, as the Filipino sharpshooters, who were in advance
of the main body, opened fire upon them. Their aim was excellent, and
both Striker and Boxer were hit, although neither seriously.

"They've caught me!" ejaculated the old sailor, and staggered up
against Ben. At the same time Boxer pitched headlong.

"Oh, Luke!" The call came from Larry, who was limping painfully.
"Where did they hit you? This is the worst of all!"

"I'm struck in the shoulder. But come, Ben is right. To the jungle!"
And Striker clutched Larry's hand in a death-like grip, bound to live
or die with his closest friend, as the case might be.

The pair started forward. Ben hesitated and looked at Boxer, and saw
the latter try to stagger up once more. "He's not dead," thought the
young captain, and picked the sharpshooter up. In a few seconds more
the whole party were in the jungle again.

But the Filipinos were not going to let them escape thus easily, and
coming up on the double-quick, a detachment began to search the
bushes, at the same time calling on the Americans to surrender if they
wanted to save their lives.

With Larry limping painfully, and both Luke and Boxer groaning in
spite of their efforts to keep silent, the Americans looked about for
some spot which might prove a safe hiding-place. But the ground here
was level and the jungle rather spare, and for those who were wounded
to climb trees was out of the question.

"We'll have to make a stand, I'm afraid," said Ben, looking to his
pistol to see if it was fully loaded. "They are coming-- Hark!"

The young captain broke off short, as a loud shouting from the road
interrupted him. Then came a volley of musketry, followed by a steady
stream of shots.

"We've got them this time, boys!" came in a ringing, English-speaking
voice. "Forward, and don't let a man of them escape. On to San
Isidro!"

"Our troops!" cried Larry. "Oh, God be praised that they are coming
this way!"

"Yes, yes, our troops!" ejaculated Ben. "And what is more, my
regiment!" The revulsion of feeling was so great that he felt like
dancing a jig.

The shouting and firing now increased, until it was almost upon them.
Then followed a rush into the woods, and the little party found itself
face to face with a score of Filipinos.

At first our friends were great