"But we'll let them know the
meaning of our presence," declared the sailor, "if they shoot at us."
The boat drew every minute nearer the shore, and it was soon perceived
that there were many soldiers among the crowd on the beach. Every one
thought it remarkable that they should be so quiet, but not one of the
natives made a move until the boat was within two hundred feet of the
shore. Then one of the rebel soldiers suddenly raised his rifle and
fired at the boat. The lieutenant in command stood up in the boat and
gave the order to return the fire, and a perfect volley of shot was
poured into the crowd, which immediately scattered in every direction.
The rebel soldiers, however, seemed determined to stand their ground,
and they were so numerous, and kept up such a steady fire, that it was
deemed best to return to the cruiser, which was signalling for this
action on their part. So the boat was turned about as quickly as
possible, and the sailors pulled for the cruiser, amid the derisive
yells of the Filipinos, who had gathered again upon the beach. The
rebel soldiers continued their firing, but were such poor marksmen
that but three of their shots took effect. One sailor was shot in the
arm, another in the side, and still another was shot in the leg as he
stood up to take aim at the rebels. None of these wounds, it was
afterward discovered, were at all serious, though they were enough to
arouse the anger of the entire crew.
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