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214 soldiers rushed to his aid. But nothing could be done for the sufferer; and with these words, "Don't retreat, boys. Keep on firing," he breathed his last.

Several other officers were also shot down and many wounded, while the dead privates lay everywhere. Yet the battle waged on, until the men became almost too tired to move. All were thirsting for something to drink; but the only water at hand was that of the marshes, salty and filled with the corpses of the slain. The doctors could not attend to the wounded, for they were shot as soon as they exposed themselves.

"This is certainly the worst yet," was Gilbert's comment to Captain Banner. The young lieutenant was soaked to the skin, both with water and with perspiration; and his face was covered with the grime of battle. He had been in two advances, and there were bullet-holes through his coat-sleeve and his leggins. "I never saw anything like it in the Philippines."

"Keep down," cried the captain. "We can't afford to lose any more officers. Bruff is dead, over yonder." And he pointed to a stretch of grass where