bullets," said Alfred.

The latter nodded but did not reply. The boys now had an opportunity to see a little through the clouds of smoke around them. Antonio passed from one end of the column to the other incessantly. "Shoot deliberately," he said to one. "Don't hurry," to another. "Be sure to aim carefully; it is the true shot that counts, not the number."

Such coolness gave every one courage. It inspired them. If Antonio was not afraid, why should they be alarmed.

"Isn't Antonio brave!" said Ralph, who could not help admiring the calm officer.

Alfred merely straightened up, as though he disdained the shelter of the barricade, and brought his gun up for another shot.

"Good, boys!" cried Antonio. "We have them!" "Keep at it." And he ran back and forth in the greatest enthusiasm. Ralph jumped up in the excitement, and felt a sting in his left arm, that seemed to turn him around.

He sat down, and again threw his gun over the protection and kept on firing. Alfred was very business-like. He handled the gun like a veteran.

Roland called to Alfred, and said: "My boy,103 you will do us a good service if you can bring up some water for the men."

103

He jumped up and started for the cottage half way down the hill. He now remembered that he was intensely thirsty. He knew there was something lacking, but did not recognize what it was. A woman and three children were there, terrified at the scene before her. To her he made known his wants.

Instantly she brought forth several pails, and filling them at a nearby spring, assisted Alfred in carrying them up the hill. He did not forget the dipper and the other drinking vessels. What a mission of mercy Alfred and the woman performed, as they passed the cool water to the parched lips of the feverish fighters.

When Alfred returned to the firing line he saw Ralph leaning forward on his gun, and a stream of blood flowing out of his sleeve.

For a moment he was paralyzed; then jumping up he ran over to Antonio, and said: "Ralph has been shot!"

It was, indeed, a terrible thing to him, to see the blood, but the moment he uttered that word, "shot," it seemed to be much more of a catastrophe than to see his friend lying there motionless.

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