and the rush of the besiegers was successful. Through the door and
windows they came, swarming like bees. Many of them fell to rise
no more, but their comrades took an eye for an eye. Once confident
soldiers toppled over dead until but few were left. Bansemer led
them in a quick dash for the chancel, hoping that the enemy would
not dare attack a place so sacred.

Cdptain Groce and other officers had fallen; Connell became the
leader of the remnant. Bansemer stood squarely in front of the
altar and blazed away at the horde of Filipinos as they advanced.
They shot at him wildly and without effect; bullets crashed into
the altar decorations behind him. He stood there as one protected
by God, unharmed in the shelter of the cross.

Behind him his comrades cowered and cursed in their dread of certain
death. He heard the shrill cries of the girl urging him to protect
her brother. She was calling upon God and the Holy Virgin to aid
and shield him. And he stood there with a crazy joy in his heart,
savagely pulling the trigger of the Krag-Jorgensen. Finally the
hammer snapped with no report. As he turned back in consternation,
a small figure leaped to his side with a fresh weapon.

He shouted a word of warning to her and wheeled again to confront
the foe. Even as he raised the gun a great shout arose above the
noise of conflict. There was a mighty rush, a new banging of guns,
a sudden stampede and--the chapel was filled with men in khaki!