CHAPTER XXIV

TERESA VELASQUEZ





Great was the disappointment of Major March and his men when
they found that neither Aguinaldo nor Pilar had fallen into their
hands. Although they had come just in time to prevent the complete
annihilation of the little company, the leaders had escaped with
the remnant of their surprised forces. Scores of Filipinos were
captured, dozens were killed and wounded. Eight of the dashing scouts
who went out with Jerry Connell gave up their lives in exchange
for the final victory.

A small guard was left at the convent to care for the wounded, the
bulk of the command hurrying off at dawn to search for the routed
Filipinos. Graydon Bansemer was put in charge of the convent
guard. A surgeon and the application of "first aid to the injured"
principles soon transformed the convent into a well arranged
hospital. Uncle Sam's benevolence was also cheerfully extended to
the wounded Filipinos. The days of the "water cure" and "ungodly
butchery" had not yet come.

Young Velasquez died soon after daybreak. He had been dying for days.
His sister's grief was pathetic in the extreme--aye, demoralising,