"Very good, sir."
"Of course, if anything turns up in the meantime, you'll call me."
"Yes, sir."
For some minutes more the two young Americans stood listening for sounds of possible trouble which Kelly and Slosson might have encountered. Then the lieutenant spread his bed and lay down without removing any of his clothing, placing his revolver beside him on the ground.
Hal set guards on all sides, while the rest of the men turned in, which they were glad to do.
Another army now invaded them! Mosquitoes—myriads of them—buzzed busily about, seeking whom they might devour! The mosquito of the Philippines is well entitled to be called an insect of prey. He is a big fellow, tireless, always hungry and a valiant fighter. The men who lay on the ground carefully wrapped themselves in their blankets, with their hands tucked in. Their heads and necks were protected by collapsible nets that they had taken from their haversacks.
For those who were up and on duty the torment of the flying pests was acute. There was little danger of a sentry going to sleep without a head net and some protection for his hands.
"Ain't it awful, Sarge?" demanded Private Bender, as Hal paused near him.
"That word isn't strong enough," grinned Hal ruefully, as he "swatted" at mosquitoes three times in quick succession.
"I don't mind the Moros," continued Bender, "and I try to be a good soldier, but I'm afraid I'd surrender to the 'skeets' if they had intelligence enough to recognize the white flag."