as given
for the first shot to be fired and everybody waited in silent expectancy
for the outcome. In an instant there was a flash, and "bang" went the
projectile with lightning velocity, hitting the outer breastworks of
the enclosure, from which rose vast clouds of smoke and fragments.

The firing from the fort was rapid at first, but gradually diminished as
the outer bombardment continued, and finally ceased altogether, for the
Artillery onslaught had been terrible while it lasted, and nothing
remained of that once impregnable fortress save a few shattered walls,
with here and there the mangled corpse of a dead Moro.

The day was gradually drawing to a close, which made it necessary for us
to establish a temporary camp for the night.

This was done, and very fortunately, adjacent to a small river, which
proved to be a great convenience to both men and animals.

Natives fired frequently into the midst of the camp, but fortunately
without any serious casualty to the Americans. The first faint glimmer
of dawn that broke over the eastern hill-tops found us again in
readiness and, after partaking of a hurried breakfast, we broke camp and
again took up the trail, this time in the direction of Bayubao.

BAYUBAO VANQUISHED.

The trails were, in a great many places, almost impassable, making
marching with equipments very laborious. However, we arrived at Bayubao
about 2 p.m. and rested for refreshments on the top of a high hill,
which over-looked the fort and the unruffled waters of Lake Lanao.

We had not been long in the enjoyment of our much needed rest, when the
natives, who were until then concealed in the brush, poured a volley
into our midst. The entire column was immediately summoned to action,
and a grander sight could not be witnessed than to see that body of
brave and disciplined soldiers taking their respective places and
falling into line for action.

The Battery was brought into action on the hill-top, with the guns
carefully trained on the fort by reliable and experienced marksmen, then
a noise arose which seemed to echo back from the very firmaments as if
the giant and mighty mountains had left their very sockets and were
tumbling in a confused mass into the deep waters of the lake below.

The Battery had cut loose and "let her go," and projectile after
projectile was sent from the guns on the hill-top "straight home" and
into the very midst of the fort, enveloping everything for a moment in
clouds