Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/150

126 Si, and he could not help but chuckle over the idea.

The canoe was scarcely out of sight when another band of the natives appeared and brought forth a second craft, similar to the first. Then came a third, a fourth, and finally a fifth.

"By ginger, this is gettin' powerful interesting; eh, Walter?" Si managed to gasp. "Five on 'em, and each manned by twenty or thirty of the heathins. They mean to attack the transport in earnest."

"But they'll be certain to get the worst of it," replied Walter.

From the position they occupied they could not see the Central, and so as quickly as possible they shifted to another. By this time, the canoes were floating in the bay, each loaded with natives armed principally with bows and arrows, although here and there a gun of ancient pattern was to be seen, generally in the hands of a man who was something of a chief.

"There they go for the transport," cried Walter.

"Yes, and there is a first shot to salute them," added Si, as a cannon boomed out. But those in the canoe were on guard, and moved hither and thither so quickly that the shot missed its mark.