A place of unusual safety and concealment was selected along the Filipinos' lines, directly in front of the center of the probable point of attack by the Americans, for Marie, and for a Filipino lieutenant and a corporal, both of whom were also good shots. Geronemo had instructed them that Marie was to have the first three shots at the general, in case he appeared on the scene of battle. If she failed to hit him, the lieutenant was then to try it. After he had taken three shots, if he, too, failed, the corporal was to be given a chance. The next morning, December 19, the American line of battle came out of the woods on the opposite side of the valley, ready to charge on the Filipinos' position. The morning was bright and clear, so that General Lawton, with his tall figure, resplendent uniform and large white helmet, could easily be discerned by the entire Filipino command. "I'll fix him," whispered Marie, "just wait till the firing begins, so that I can shoot without attracting attention to our position." In a moment, the Filipinos opened fire on the Americans all along the line. The latter sought cover. General Lawton remained erect. He made an ideal target. Marie took careful aim. "Bang!" went her rifle, and at that very moment this peerless leader of men, this hero of several wars, was shot through the heart and fell dead in the arms of his aide. His only words were, "I'm shot." "See that! What did I tell you?" snapped out Marie, "I told you I'd get him! Now for my dinero." (money). The Americans were so angered because of the sudden death of their beloved commander that they made a mad rush forward, without orders, and swept the Filipino army from the field. Marie returned to Manila where she claimed the reward for having shot the general. The lieutenant who was with her claimed that he did it, and by promising half of the bounty to the corporal for swearing to the lie, he proved it. Meager reports of the affair state that only $7000 of the money was actually paid over. Like Aguinaldo who crept into a cave northwest of Manila and sold out his country during the insurrection of 1896, and then could not collect his fee, so Marie, too, found herself deprived of the compensation for her bloody deed. CHAPTER XI. NORTH-BOUND The controversy over the distribution of the fund in Manila for the death in any form of General Lawton permitted the unholy scheme to simmer its way into publicity. The United States authorities employed secret detectives to investigate the matter and if possible to locate the persons who claimed to be responsible for the act. Marie soon found herself under surveillance and she quickly left the city.