Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/50

30 his knife, telling his story with all the points possible in his favor.

A lively discussion followed. The sharpshooters were willing to conduct Ben to the rear, considering it a great feather in their cap to have captured an Americano capitan, but none of them wished to carry Gilmore.

"Shoot him where he lies," said two of the party, and one raised his rifle for that purpose.

"Don't, you inhuman brute!" protested Ben. "That is not war; it is murder!"

"Let him be as he is," said the leader of the sharpshooters. "If he lives, very well; if not, it will not matter. Come!" And he ordered Ben on, raising his rifle as he spoke. The young captain wished to protest, and even offered to carry Gilmore himself; but the Tagals would not listen, and so he had to move on, leaving his injured companion to his fate.