among a crowd of rough soldiers! Her brother and protector dying!
And all surrounded by hordes of savage enemies who at any moment
might kill them! The thought dismissed all pleasantry from his
mind. Something must be done, and at once. Presently, he asked:

"What is your name?"

"My father was Colonel Ramos Jose Velasquez; that also is
my brother's name, except that he is not an officer. I am Teresa
Fortune Velasquez. My mother was English--a sister of Sir William
Fortune. She is dead. For ten years we have lived in Manila."

"You won't mind if I call the sergeant, will you?"

The girl nodded a slightly bewildered assent as Graydon moved
rapidly towards the others. Shortly, he returned with the gallant
Irishman.

"Senorita," began Connell, mopping his forehead and assuming his
most polite manner; "you are perfectly safe with us, and as quickly
as possible your brother and yourself shall be sent back to Manila.
You are a brave slip of a girl, and we boys respect bravery in
whatever dress--boy or girl."

She looked at him in grateful surprise and her lips trembled.

"But I am not your friend?"

"Possibly, senorita;" he bowed low with almost Chesterfieldian
grace; "but we are your friends."