held by Parker, is lost. This receipt is therefore given to be in full against said note. JOSEPH PARKER.”

66 'December 28, 1872."

Having read the receipt through, Fernando turned to the captain and said:

"When my father came to Cuba, forgetting to leave this receipt, and lost his life, Mr. Parker brought suit against his estate and robbed mother of everything. He lied when he said the note was lost. I am eager to go home now, and there will be a reckoning."

"Why, blow me! the rascal ought to be hung!" declared the captain. "But count the money, and see if it is all there."

The gold was found to correspond exactly with the debt. It was carefully returned to the bags, then placed in the leather valise, which in turn was placed in a canvas bag. This they carried to the boat, and were rowed back to the ship.

CHAPTER XXV.

CONCLUSION.

THERE was one member of this little family in the far East, whom we must mention before closing this story. He was as much affected by the treachery and rascality of Joe Parker as was his brother in the West Indies. George Stevens also had hist love affair, as well as his brother.

Through his persuasions, Hallie was removed from the city of Manila and went aboard an English merchantman that lay in the harbor. He paid frequent visits to the merchantman, and had long, confidential talks with the little missionary. Her mother had died but a few months before, after having accumulated a considerable fortune, which was deposited in the bank for the daughter. The interest George had so long felt in the beautiful young missionary ripened into love, and there was a mutual understanding that their marriage should be celebrated as soon as the war with Spain was over; and it seemed to be rapidly drawing to a close.

The first land forces had arrived under General Anderson. On the 20th of June, the American

fleet touched at the Island of Guam, one of the Ladrones, and made the governor and all the Spanish officials prisoners. On June 30, three transports, convoyed by the Charleston, entered Manila harbor.

There was but little effort made to advance the land forces until after the arrival of General Merritt, July 25. The American army began to advance. on Manila with the usual precautions, taking firm stands at every point. The advance was under the command of General Greene, an able, cautious, and efficient officer.

On July 29, Private William Sterling, of Company K, First Nebraska volunteers, while on outpost duty on Pasay road, was fired upon by a Spanish sharpshooter at long range, and struck on the arm by a spent Mauser ball. Tho the wound was slight, it warned the soldiers of the near proximity of the enemy. Several Nebraska marksmen tried their skill at the sharpshooter, but he hugged the bushes and rocks too close for a successful shot.

General Greene continued to advance his forces, and took the town of Malate. He had about four thousand men, and entrenched as he advanced, in order to hold every foot of ground covered. Sunday night, July 31, Greene's forces had advanced until their lines extended from Camino Real to the beach.

On

During the day another division of troops, under General McArthur, arrived; but, owing to the high surf, landing was delayed. The Spanish were driven to frenzy by the continual arrival of new troops, and the fury of soldiers and officers could no longer be restrained. Shortly after nightfall one of those terrible typhoons, common at that season in the tropics, set in. The wind blew a hurricane, and the rain fell in such torrents that the Americans were nearly submerged in their trenches.

The brigade was composed of the Tenth Pennsylvania, First Colorado, First California, and Third Artillery.

Suddenly a gleam of fire from the heavens rent the black veil of night, revealing long lines of Spanish troops coming at a charge. The pickets leaped back into the trenches, the alarm was sounded, and the black coat of midnight was reddened by the flash of rifles and artillery. In a moment the fight was raging all along the line. The commands of the officers could be heard in low, firm tones above the thunder of battle and the roar of the typhoon. Like a stone wall stood those brave volunteers, receiving their first baptism of fire unmoved. The insurgents had withdrawn from the right flank, leaving the Tenth Pennsylvania exposed to bear the brunt of the battle, but they checked the Spanish advance until reenforced.

Tho for the first time under fire, the volunteers fought like veterans. With some difficulty, owing to the darkness and mud, Captain Young got his Utah battery into position, and began enfilading the enemy's ranks.

After a stubborn conflict of several moments, the Spaniards fell back some distance in confusion; but they re-formed, and came on at a charge with the most horrible yells. It was a scene terribly sublime. The red lightning painting a fierce glare on the sky, the angry flash of cannon, the darkened faces, but dimly lighted, seeming fiends in conflict, while dead and dying blue-coats and white-coats lay on every side. None other than American soldiers could have withstood that assault. The Spaniards rallied and made a third assault on the American works, but this third and last was a weak effort. It proved to be more than the Americans could endure, and with angry yells they leaped from their ditches and pursued the flying enemy for some distance.

The Spanish loss was about 300 killed and 400 wounded, while the Americans lost 14 killed and 60 wounded.

From that time the American forces kept gradually pushing on, and more closely investing the city. On Saturday, August 13, the day after the signing of the protocol, the final attack was made. The fleet opened fire at 9:30 A.M. At first the shots fell short,