CHAPTER XI 

THE CROSSING OF THE RIO GRANDE RIVER 

"For gracious' sake, what did we want to retreat for?" demanded Ben, as soon as the command halted and Major Morris had come within speaking distance. The young captain had been at the very front of the firing line, and had seen that complete victory was only the work of a quarter of an hour or less. 

"Orders from general headquarters," replied the major, in a low tone. "I fancy the staff is pretty angry, too," he added. 

"We could have whipped them with ease." 

"So we could, captain, but--" And Major Morris finished with a shrug of his shoulders which meant a good deal. 

"I don't believe General Otis would have given such an order had he been here to see what was going on," continued Ben, earnestly. 

"Well, we're ordered back to Angat, and that is all there is to it. The army must have supplies, you know." 

"Hang the supplies!" muttered Gilmore, but under his breath. "We can get all the supplies we want as we go along." And Ben was rather inclined to agree with him. 

There was no help, however, for the turn in the situation; and with crestfallen faces the soldiers moved still further back and went into temporary camp. Only a few had suffered, and the wounded ones were promptly cared for by the hospital corps. 

"And how do you feel?" asked Gilbert, as he came up to see Ben. "Does the wound hurt still?" 
Who was the leader?
General Otis 