Suddenly a low whistle from deeper in the woods attracted her attention. With startled eyes she stopped, her head erect and her bosom heaving in sudden fright. [Illustration: _A MAN STEPPED SILENTLY FROM BEHIND A TREE_] A man stepped silently from behind a tree and walked toward her. With a glad cry she ran to him. It was the officer known to the Americans as Colonel Martinez. “I have heard,” he said sorrowfully as the girl incoherently sobbed the sad news of her father’s death. “I would have come sooner, but I believed the Americans would have been strong enough to prevent it.” “His last words were for you, Gregorio,” Maria whispered as he patted caressingly her straight black hair. “He hoped that you would follow his example and surrender to General Wilson. Why do you not take your own name again?” “Sister,” the insurgent officer answered earnestly, “when my father disowned me for fighting under Aguinaldo in the north, I took the name of Remundo, and because I would not surrender after most of my men had been killed or captured I have been declared by the government of the islands an outlaw, and a price was put on my head. I am accused of many crimes of which I am not guilty. I have an enemy, who now stands high in government favor. It was he who harried the country using my name falsely, and for his deeds I am blamed. Captain Blynn has my written proofs. So you see I could not comply with our father’s wish before, but now I am willing to lay down my life in order that Juan Rodriguez’s soul may rest in peace, which it cannot do until his murderer has received his just punishment.” While they talked Gregorio Rodriguez had taken the small hand of Juan in his own, leading his sister along a tiny trail away from the river. “I have a few trusty followers awaiting me a short distance beyond,” he added, “and I wish you both to come with me. Your lives are too precious to allow you to be out of my sight.” Maria smiled happily and pressed her brother’s hand. After a quarter of an hour’s walk the forest opened and they found themselves in the midst of a company of native soldiers. The men arose from the ground as their leader passed, doffing their hats to the woman walking so proudly with their officer. Gregorio stood silently in their midst, holding up his hand to demand attention. In a few short lines he told his men of his real identity and of the horrible murder of his father by Espinosa; of the expedition which he had watched start out to attack the stronghold. To serve their best interests, he told them he should surrender with his force to the Americans, who would give them all fair and honorable treatment. Then he raised his voice and excitedly cried: “Those who still desire to fight against their own interests under a traitor and a murderer may go forth unmolested. At once!” he cried, pointing to the trail leading inland, while his black eyes flashed. Not a man gave ground; all looked trustfully up to their leader.