diff options
Diffstat (limited to '31317-h/31317-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 31317-h/31317-h.htm | 8780 |
1 files changed, 8780 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/31317-h/31317-h.htm b/31317-h/31317-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e86c52 --- /dev/null +++ b/31317-h/31317-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8780 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Campaign of the Jungle, by Edward Stratemeyer</title> +<style type="text/css"> + @media screen { + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none;border-top:thin dashed silver;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; text-indent: 0; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + } + @media print { + hr.pb {border:none;page-break-after: always;} + .pagenum { display:none; } + } + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + + .bold {font-weight:bold;} + .bookseries {text-align:center; font-weight:bold; margin-top:2em;} + .center, div.center p{text-align:center;} + .italic {font-style:italic;} + .trnote {background-color: #EEE; color: inherit; margin: 2em 5% 1em 5%; font-size: 80%; padding: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 1em; border: dotted 1px gray;} + blockquote {display: block; margin: .75em 10% .75em 5%; font-size:0.9em;} + h1 {font-size:1.8em; line-height:1.8;} + h1,h2,h3 {font-weight:normal; text-align:center;} + h2 {font-size:1.5em;} + h3 {font-size:1.2em;} + h1.pg {font-size:190%; line-height:1; font-weight:bold; } + h3.pg {font-weight:bold; } + ins.trchange {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + span.padded {margin-left:2em; margin-right:2em;} + + .caption {font-size: 90%; text-align:center;} + .chsp {margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center; width: auto;} + .figtag {height: 1px;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + hr.mini {width: 20%; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both; margin: 1em auto;} + hr.tb {border: none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width: 33%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;} + hr.toprule {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both;} + p.center {text-align: center !important;} + p.lalign {text-align: left !important;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + td.chalgn {text-align:right; margin-top:0; padding-right:1em;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Campaign of the Jungle, by Edward +Stratemeyer, Illustrated by A. B. Shute</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Campaign of the Jungle</p> +<p> or, Under Lawton through Luzon</p> +<p>Author: Edward Stratemeyer</p> +<p>Release Date: February 18, 2010 [eBook #31317]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Dan Horwood,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE<br /> + +by<br /> + +Edward Stratemeyer</h1> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' title='' width='324' height='500' /><br /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1.5em;'>EDWARD STRATEMEYER’S BOOKS</p> +<p class='bookseries'>Old Glory Series</p> +<p class='center'><i><span class='padded'>Cloth</span> <span class='padded'>Illustrated</span> <span class='padded'>Price per volume $1.25.</span></i></p> +<div style='margin-left:10%'> +<p>UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA Or the War Fortunes of a Castaway.</p> +<p>A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA Or Fighting for the Single Star.</p> +<p>FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS Or Under Schley on the Brooklyn.</p> +<p>UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES Or a Young Officer in the Tropics.</p> +<p>THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE Or Under Lawton through Luzon.</p> +</div> +<p class='bookseries'>The Bound to Succeed Series</p> +<p class='center'><i><span class='padded'>Three volumes</span> <span class='padded'>Illustrated</span> <span class='padded'>Price per volume $1.00.</span></i></p> +<div style='margin-left:10%'> +<p>RICHARD DARE’S VENTURE Or Striking Out for Himself.</p> +<p>OLIVER BRIGHT’S SEARCH Or The Mystery of a Mine.</p> +<p>TO ALASKA FOR GOLD Or The Fortune Hunters of the Yukon.</p> +</div> +<p class='bookseries'>The Ship and Shore Series</p> +<p class='center'><i><span class='padded'>Three volumes</span> <span class='padded'>Illustrated</span> <span class='padded'>Price per volume $1.00.</span></i></p> +<div style='margin-left:10%'> +<p>THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE Or Larry Foster’s Strange Voyage.</p> +<p>REUBEN STONE’S DISCOVERY Or The Young Miller of Torrent Bend.</p> +<p>TRUE TO HIMSELF Or Roger Strong’s Struggle for Place.</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus003.jpg' alt='' title='' width='335' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“You are from the Olympia, I believe?”—<a href='#page_23'><i>Page 23.</i></a><br /> +</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> + +<div class='center'> +<p class='bold'>Old Glory Series</p> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<h1>THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE<br /> +<span style='font-size:0.7em'>OR</span><br /> +<span class='smcap' style='font-size:0.9em'>Under Lawton through Luzon</span></h1> + +<p>BY</p> + +<p style='font-size:1.2em'>EDWARD STRATEMEYER</p> + +<p style='font-size:0.8em'>AUTHOR OF “UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA,” “A YOUNG VOLUNTEER<br /> +IN CUBA,” “FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS,” “UNDER OTIS<br /> +IN THE PHILIPPINES,” “TO ALASKA FOR GOLD”<br /> +“RICHARD DARE’S VENTURE,” “OLIVER<br /> +BRIGHT’S SEARCH,” ETC.</p> + +<p style='margin-top:2em;'><i>ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. SHUTE</i></p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p style='margin-top:2em;'>BOSTON</p> +<p>LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS</p> +<p>1900</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class='center'> +<p><span class='smcap'>Copyright, 1900, by Lee and Shepard.</span></p> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p><i>All Rights Reserved.</i></p> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p style='margin-bottom:2em;'><span class='smcap'>The Campaign of the Jungle.</span></p> +<p class='center'>Norwood Press<br /> +J. S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith<br /> +Norwood Mass. U.S.A.</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_iii' name='page_iii'></a>iii</span> +<a name='PREFACE' id='PREFACE'></a> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> +</div> +<p>“The Campaign of the Jungle” is a complete +story in itself, but forms the fifth volume of +the “Old Glory Series,” a line of tales depicting life +and adventure in our army and navy of to-day.</p> +<p>The heroes of these various stories are the three +Russell brothers, Larry, Walter, and Ben. In the +first volume we told of Larry’s adventures while +“Under Dewey at Manila,” in the second and +fourth we followed Ben as “A Young Volunteer +in Cuba” and during the opening campaign “Under +Otis in the Philippines,” while in the third tale we +saw what Walter could do “Fighting in Cuban +Waters.”</p> +<p>In the present volume the reader is asked to +follow the fortunes of both Larry and Ben in two +important expeditions of that gallant soldier, General +Henry W. Lawton, the first directed against +Santa Cruz on the Laguna de Bay, where the insurgents +were left badly scattered, and the second from +Manila to San Isidro, a winding advance of about +one hundred and fifty miles through the jungle, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_iv' name='page_iv'></a>iv</span> +which took twenty days to complete, and during +which time twenty-two battles were fought and +twenty-eight towns were captured, along with large +quantities of army stores and the like. This latter +expedition was one of the most daring of its kind, +and could not have been pushed to success had not +the man at its head been what he was, a trained +Indian fighter of our own West, and one whose +nerve and courage were almost beyond comprehension. +Small wonder it was that when, later on, General +Lawton was killed on the firing line, General +Otis cabled, “Great loss to us and to his country.”</p> +<p>As in the previous volumes of this series, the +author has endeavored to be as accurate, historically, +as possible, and for this reason has examined +the reports of the officers high in command, as well +as listened to many tales related by the returning +soldiers themselves. It is therefore hoped that if +any errors have crept in they may not be of sufficient +magnitude to hurt the general usefulness of +the work from an historical standpoint. As a story +of adventure, the writer trusts it will find equal +favor with those that have preceded it in the series.</p> +<p style='text-align:right; padding-right:2em;'>EDWARD STRATEMEYER.</p> +<p class='lalign' style="font-size:0.9em; margin-left:2.0em"><span class='smcap'>Newark, N. J.</span>,<br /> +March 1, 1900.</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_v' name='page_v'></a>v</span></div> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<table id='toc' border='0' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>I.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Dismaying News</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_I_DISMAYING_NEWS'>1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>II.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Something about the Situation at Malolos</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_II_SOMETHING_ABOUT_THE_SITUATION_AT_MALOLOS'>10</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>III.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>An Adventure on the Pasig River</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_III_AN_ADVENTURE_ON_THE_PASIG_RIVER'>20</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>IV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Gap in the Firing Line</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IV_THE_GAP_IN_THE_FIRING_LINE'>30</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>V.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>An Encounter at the River</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_V_AN_ENCOUNTER_AT_THE_RIVER'>41</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>VI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>In which Luke Striker is Wounded</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VI_IN_WHICH_LUKE_STRIKER_IS_WOUNDED'>52</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>VII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Retreat to the Rice-house</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VII_THE_RETREAT_TO_THE_RICEHOUSE'>61</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>VIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>A Prisoner of the Filipinos</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VIII_A_PRISONER_OF_THE_FILIPINOS'>70</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>IX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Advance into the Jungle</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IX_THE_ADVANCE_INTO_THE_JUNGLE'>81</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>X.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Taking of Angat</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_X_THE_TAKING_OF_ANGAT'>91</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Crossing of the Rio Grande River</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XI_THE_CROSSING_OF_THE_RIO_GRANDE_RIVER'>101</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Something about a Poisoned Well</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XII_SOMETHING_ABOUT_A_POISONED_WELL'>112</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>In which a Flag of Truce is fired Upon</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIII_IN_WHICH_A_FLAG_OF_TRUCE_IS_FIRED_UPON'>122</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Surrounded by the Enemy</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIV_SURROUNDED_BY_THE_ENEMY'>132</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Escape from the Burning House</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XV_THE_ESCAPE_FROM_THE_BURNING_HOUSE'>141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>News from Home</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVI_NEWS_FROM_HOME'>150</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>In and out of a Strange Pitfall</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVII_IN_AND_OUT_OF_A_STRANGE_PITFALL'>160</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Adventure at the Mill-house</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_ADVENTURE_AT_THE_MILLHOUSE'>169</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>News of Larry</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_OF_LARRY'>179</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Advance upon Maasin</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XX_THE_ADVANCE_UPON_MAASIN'>189</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Camping Over a Powder Magazine</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXI_CAMPING_OVER_A_POWDER_MAGAZINE'>199</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Result of an Ambush</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXII_THE_RESULT_OF_AN_AMBUSH'>208</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Tornado in the Cane-brake</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_TORNADO_IN_THE_CANEBRAKE'>218</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Flight for Liberty</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV_THE_FLIGHT_FOR_LIBERTY'>227</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Caves under the Mountain</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXV_THE_CAVES_UNDER_THE_MOUNTAIN'>235</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Boxer the Scout</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI_BOXER_THE_SCOUT'>244</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Departure of the</span> <i>Olympia</i></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVII_THE_DEPARTURE_OF_THE_OLYMPIA'>257</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Advance upon San Isidro</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVIII_THE_ADVANCE_UPON_SAN_ISIDRO'>267</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Larry is sentenced to be Shot</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIX_LARRY_IS_SENTENCED_TO_BE_SHOT'>280</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>A Rescue under Difficulties</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXX_A_RESCUE_UNDER_DIFFICULTIES'>292</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>XXXI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Fall of San Isidro—conclusion</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXXI_THE_FALL_OF_SAN_ISIDROCONCLUSION'>305</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_vi' name='page_vi'></a>vi</span></div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_vii' name='page_vii'></a>vii</span></div> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<table id='loi' border='0' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Illustrations' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<col style='width:75%;' /> +<col style='width:25%;' /> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“‘You are from the <i>Olympia</i>, I believe?’”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_2'> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td /> + <td valign='top' align='right'><span style='font-size:0.8em'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“‘Alto!’ came the sudden cry”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_3'>47</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“‘Hullo, sailor, where did you come from?’”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_4'>82</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“‘The well is poisoned! don’t drink! it will kill you!’”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_5'>115</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“His sword kept the two Tagals back”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_6'>146</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“‘Can you hold on a few minutes longer?’”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_7'>173</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“On they plodded, up an incline that seemed to have no end”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_8'>236</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“Down went the sapling over the edge of the cliff”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_9'>281</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div> +<h1>THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE</h1> +<div class='chsp'> +<a name='CHAPTER_I_DISMAYING_NEWS' id='CHAPTER_I_DISMAYING_NEWS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>DISMAYING NEWS</h3> +</div> +<p>“How are you feeling to-day, Ben?”</p> +<p>“Fairly good, Larry. If it wasn’t for this awfully +hot weather, the wound wouldn’t bother me at all. +The doctor says that if I continue to improve as I +have, I can rejoin my company by the middle of +next week.”</p> +<p>“You mustn’t hurry matters. You did enough +fighting at Caloocan, Malabon, Polo, and here, to +last you for some time. Let the other fellows have +a share of it.” And Larry Russell smiled grimly as +he bent over his elder brother and grasped the hand +that was thrust forward.</p> +<p>“I am willing the other fellows should have their +share of the fighting, Larry. But you must remember +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span> +that now Captain Larchmore is dead, and Lieutenant +Ross is down with the fever, there is nobody +to command our company but me—unless, of course, +Sergeant Gilmore takes charge.”</p> +<p>“Then let Gilmore play captain for a while, while +you take the rest you have so well earned. Why, +you’ve been working like a steam-engine ever since +you landed in Luzon. Gilbert Pennington says he +never dreamed there was so much fight in you, and +predicts that you’ll come out a brigadier general by +the time Aguinaldo and his army are defeated.”</p> +<p>“Well, I believe in pushing things,” responded +Ben Russell, smiling more broadly than ever, as his +mind wandered back to that fierce attack on Malolos, +where he had received the bullet wound in the side. +“If we can only keep the insurgents on the run, +we’ll soon make them throw down their arms. But +tell me about yourself, Larry. What have you been +doing since you were up here last?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ve been putting in most of my time on +board the <i>Olympia</i>, as usual,” replied the young tar. +“About all we are doing is to nose around any +strange vessels that come into the harbor. Since +the outbreak in Manila last February, the navy has +had next to nothing to do, and I’m thinking strongly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span> +of asking to be transferred to the marines at Cavite, +or elsewhere.”</p> +<p>“I don’t blame you.” Ben Russell paused. “Have +you heard anything more about Braxton Bogg and +that hundred and forty thousand dollars he said +he had left hidden in Benedicto Lupez’s house in +Manila?”</p> +<p>A shade of anxiety crossed Larry Russell’s face. +“Yes, I’ve heard a good deal—more than I wanted +to, Ben. But I wasn’t going to speak of it, for +fear of adding to your worry and making you feel +worse.”</p> +<p>“Why, Larry, you don’t mean— Has Braxton +Bogg escaped from jail and got hold of the money +again?”</p> +<p>“No, Braxton Bogg is still in prison at Manila, +although the Buffalo bank officials are about to +have him returned to the United States for trial. +But the money has disappeared. The police authorities +at Manila went to Benedicto Lupez’s house, +to find it locked up and deserted. They broke +in and made a search, but they couldn’t find a +dollar, either in Spanish or American money, although +they did find Braxton Bogg’s valise and +a dozen or more printed bands of the Hearthstone +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span> +Saving Institution—the kind of bands they put +around five-hundred-dollar and one-thousand-dollar +packages of bills.”</p> +<p>“Then this Spaniard found where Bogg had hidden +the money and made off with it?”</p> +<p>“That is the supposition; and I reckon it’s +about right, too. Of course, it may be possible +that Braxton Bogg never left the stolen money in +Lupez’s house, although he swears he did. He +says Lupez was an old friend of his and was going +to have the bills changed into Spanish money for +him, so that Bogg could use the cash without being +suspected of any wrong-doing.”</p> +<p>“It’s too bad; and just as we thought our fifteen +or sixteen thousand dollars of the amount was +safe. I wonder what the bank people at home +will say now.”</p> +<p>“Of course, they won’t like it. They would +rather have the money than their missing cashier; +and I would rather have the money, too—not but +that Braxton Bogg ought to be punished for his +crimes.”</p> +<p>“Yes, Larry, Braxton Bogg deserves all the law +can give him, for the depositors in the Hearthstone +Saving Institution were mostly poor, hard-working +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span> +persons, and the wrecking of the bank meant untold +hardships for them.” The wounded brother +sighed deeply. “If that money isn’t recovered, +we’ll be as badly off as we were when we first +came to Manila,” he concluded.</p> +<p>Ben Russell was the eldest of three brothers, +Walter coming next, and Larry being the youngest. +They were orphans, and at the death of their +widowed mother had been left in the care of their +uncle, Job Dowling, a miserly man whose chief aim +in life had been to hoard money, no matter at +what cost, so long as his method was within the +limit of the law.</p> +<p>The boys were all sturdy and had been used to +a good home, and Job Cowling’s harsh and dictatorial +manner cut them to the quick. A clash +between guardian and wards had resulted in the +running away of the three youths, and the guardian +had tried in vain to bring them back. Larry had +drifted to San Francisco and shipped on a merchantman +bound for China. He had become a +castaway and been picked up by the Asiatic Squadron +of the United States Navy. This was just at +the time of the outbreak of the war with Spain, +and how gallantly the young tar served his country +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span> +has already been told in detail in “Under +Dewey at Manila.”</p> +<p>Ben had found his way to New York, and Walter +had drifted to Boston. After several adventures, +the war fever had caught both, and Ben had joined +the army to become “A Young Volunteer in Cuba,” +as already related in the volume of that name, +while Walter had joined the armored cruiser <i>Brooklyn</i> +and participated in the destruction of the Spanish +fleet in Santiago Bay, as told in “Fighting in Cuban +Waters.”</p> +<p>While the three boys were away from home, Job +Dowling had overreached himself by trying to sell +some of the Russell heirlooms which it had been +willed the lads should keep. The heirlooms had +been stolen by a sharper, and it had cost the old man +a neat sum of money to get them back. The experience +made him both a sadder and a wiser man, and +from that time on his manner changed, and when +the boys returned from the war they found that he +had turned over a new leaf. In the future he was +perfectly willing that they should “do fer themselves,” +as he expressed it.</p> +<p>After a brief stay in Buffalo, Walter had left, to +rejoin the <i>Brooklyn</i>, which was bound for a cruise +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span> +to Jamaica and elsewhere. At this time trouble +began to break out between the United States troops +in the Philippines and the insurgents who had been +fighting the now-conquered Spaniards, and it looked +as if another fair-sized war was at hand. This being +so, Ben lost no time in reënlisting in the army, +while Larry hastened to join Admiral Dewey’s flagship +<i>Olympia</i> once more. “If there’s to be any more +fighting, I want to be right in it,” was what the +young tar said, and Ben agreed with him. How they +journeyed to Manila by way of the Mediterranean, +the Suez Canal, and the Indian Ocean, has already +been related in “Under Otis in the Philippines.” +Ben was at this time second lieutenant of Company +D of his regiment. With the two boys went Gilbert +Pennington, Ben’s old friend of the Rough Riders, +who was now first sergeant of Company B of the +same regiment, and half a dozen others who had +fought with the young volunteer in Cuba. On +arriving at Manila Larry found matters, so far as it +concerned his ship, very quiet, but Ben was at once +sent to the front, and participated with much honor +to himself in the campaign which led to the fall of +Malolos, a city that was at that time the rebel capital. +As Company D, with Ben at its head as acting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span> +captain, had rushed down the main street of the +place, an insurgent sharpshooter had hit the young +commander in the side, and he had fallen, to be +picked up later and placed in the temporary +hospital which was opened up in Malolos as soon +as it was made certain that the rebels had been +thoroughly cleaned out. Fortunately for the young +volunteer the wound, though painful, was not +serious.</p> +<p>Of the fifteen thousand to twenty thousand dollars +coming to the Russell brothers, more than three-quarters +had been invested by Job Dowling in the +Heathstone Saving Institution, a Buffalo bank that +had promised the close-minded man a large rate of +interest. The cashier of this bank, Braxton Bogg, +had absconded, taking with him all the available +cash which the institution possessed. Bogg had come +to Manila, and there Ben had fallen in with him +several times and finally accomplished his arrest. It +was found that Braxton Bogg had very little money +on his person, and the guilty cashier finally admitted +that he had left his booty at the house of one Benedicto +Lupez, a Spaniard with whom he had boarded. +As all the Spaniards in Manila were being closely +watched by the soldiers doing police duty in the disturbed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span> +city, both Ben and Larry had supposed that +there would be no further trouble in getting possession +of the missing money. But Benedicto Lupez +had slipped away unperceived, taking the stolen +money with him, and the Russell inheritance—or at +least the larger portion of it—was as far out of the +reach of the boys as ever.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_II_SOMETHING_ABOUT_THE_SITUATION_AT_MALOLOS' id='CHAPTER_II_SOMETHING_ABOUT_THE_SITUATION_AT_MALOLOS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT THE SITUATION AT MALOLOS</h3> +</div> +<p>“Do you know if the Manila authorities have any +idea where this Benedicto Lupez has gone to?” +asked Ben, after partaking of some delicacies which +Larry had managed to obtain for him.</p> +<p>“They think he got on a small boat and went up +the Pasig River. He is supposed to have a brother +living in Santa Cruz on the Laguna de Bay. This +brother is said to be in thorough sympathy with the +insurgents.”</p> +<p>“In that case he is out of our reach for the present, +as the rebels, so I understand, have a pretty +good force in and around Santa Cruz. But if this +Lupez has the money, I can’t understand how he +would join the rebels. They’ll try to get the cash +from him, if they need it.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he is foolish enough to think that they +will win out in this fight, Ben. You know how hot-headed +some of these people are. They haven’t any +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +idea of the real power of Uncle Sam. I believe if +they did know, they would submit without another +encounter.”</p> +<p>“It would be best if they did, Larry, for now that +we are in this fight we are bound to make them +yield. Once they throw down their arms, I feel certain +our country will do what is fair and honest by +them.”</p> +<p>“It’s the leaders who are urging the ignorant +common people on—I’ve heard more than one of +the officers say so. The leaders are well educated +and crafty, and they can make the masses believe +almost anything. Why, just before I came away +from Manila I saw a dozen or more Igorottes +brought in—tall, strapping fellows, but as ignorant +as so many children. They seemed to be dazed +when their wounds were cared for and they were +offered food. The interpreter said they thought +they would be massacred on the spot by the bloodthirsty +<i>Americanos</i>, and they had a lurking suspicion +that they were being cared for just so they could be +sold into slavery.”</p> +<p>At this juncture a tall, thoroughly browned soldier +came in, wearing the uniform of a first lieutenant.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></div> +<p>“Well, Ben, how is it to-day,” he said cheerily, +as he extended his hand. “And how are you, +Larry?” And he likewise shook hands with the +young tar.</p> +<p>“I’m hoping to get out soon, Gilbert,” answered +Ben. “But what’s this—a lieutenant’s uniform?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ve been promoted to first lieutenant of +Company B,” returned Gilbert Pennington. “I tell +you, we are all climbing up the ladder, and Larry +must look to his laurels. I understand you are to +be made permanent captain of Company D.”</p> +<p>“But where is First Lieutenant Crunger of your +company?”</p> +<p>“Disappeared,” and the young Southerner’s face +took on a sober look. “That’s the only thing that +mars my happiness over my promotion. After the +taking of Malolos, Jack Crunger disappeared utterly, +and we haven’t been able to find hide nor hair of +him, although half a dozen scouting parties have +been sent out and the stream has been dragged in +several places.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he was taken prisoner,” suggested +Larry. “I heard some of the Kansas and Utah men +were missing, too.”</p> +<p>“We are afraid he is a prisoner, and if that is so, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +Aguinaldo’s men have probably taken him up to San +Fernando, where the insurgents are setting up their +new capital.”</p> +<p>“And what is going on at the firing line?” asked +Ben, eagerly. “Are they following up the rebels’ +retreat?”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry to say no. General MacArthur made +a <a name='TC_1'></a><ins class='trchange' title="Was 'reconnoissance'">reconnaissance</ins> in the direction of Calumpit, but it +amounted to little.”</p> +<p>“I understand that the <i>Charleston</i> has sailed up +the coast and is going to shell Dagupan,” put in +Larry. “Dagupan, you know, is the terminus of +the railroad line.”</p> +<p>“That’s good,” came from the sick brother. “If +we can get a footing in Dagupan, we can work the +railroad territory from both ends.” But this was +not to be, as coming events speedily proved, for the +shelling of the city by the warship amounted to but +little.</p> +<p>Gilbert Pennington knew all about the Braxton +Bogg affair and listened with interest to what Larry +had to relate.</p> +<p>“It’s too bad,” he declared. “I’d like to give +you some hope, boys, but I’m afraid you’ll have to +whistle for your fortune. That Spaniard will keep +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +out of the reach of the Americans, and if the worst +comes to the worst, he’ll slip off to Spain or South +America; you mark my words.”</p> +<p>Larry’s leave of absence was for forty-eight hours +only, and soon he was forced to bid his brother and +his friend good-by. “Now take good care of yourself, +Ben,” he said, on parting. “And do stay here +until you are stronger. Remember that a wounded +man can’t stand this broiling sun half as well as one +who isn’t wounded, and even the strongest of them +are suffering awfully from the heat.”</p> +<p>“I’ll make him stay,” put in Gilbert, with mock +severity. “Surgeon Fallox won’t give him clearance +papers until I tell him, for he’s a great friend +of mine.”</p> +<p>“I’m going to have a word with Stummer before +I go,” added Larry, and hurried to the ward in +which the sturdy German volunteer had been placed. +He found the member of Ben’s company propped up +on some grass pillows, smoking his favorite brier-root +pipe.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ I vos glad to see you, Larry,” cried +Carl, his round face broadening into a smile on +beholding his visitor. “Yah, I vos doin’ putty +goot, und I peen out on der firin’ line next veek +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +maype. But say, I vos sorry I peen shot town +pefore we got to Malolos. I vos dink sure I help +clean dose repels out.”</p> +<p>“Never mind, you did your duty, Carl. I’ve +heard they are going to make you a corporal for +your bravery.”</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ that’s right,” came in an Irish voice +behind the pair, and Dan Casey, another volunteer +of Ben’s company, appeared. “It’s mesilf as has the +honor av saying it first, too, Carl. You are to be +first corporal, Carl, wid meself doin’ juty as second +corporal.”</p> +<p>The German volunteer’s face lit up for a second, +then fell suspiciously. “Say, Dan, vos dis a choke +maype?” he said slowly.</p> +<p>“A joke, is it?” burst out Casey. “Sure, an’ do +ye think I’d be afther playin’ a joke on a wounded +man, Carl? No, it’s no joke. We’re raised to the +dignity av officers be the forchunes av war an’ the +recommendations av our superior, Actin’ Captain +Russell, which same will soon be our captain be +commission, Providence an’ the President willin’.”</p> +<p>“Good for Ben!” exclaimed Larry. “You both +deserve it.” And after a few words more he hurried +off, leaving the two old soldiers to congratulate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +themselves on their advancement and speculate +upon how high they might rise in the service +before the rebellion should close. Casey had his +eye set on a captaincy, but Stummer said he would +be quite content if any commissioned office came +his way, even if it was but a second-lieutenancy.</p> +<p>Malolos had been captured on Friday, March 31, +1899, at a little after ten o’clock in the morning, +although the fighting kept up until nearly nightfall. +As soon as the rebels were thoroughly cleaned +out, many of the soldiers were called upon to do +duty as firemen, for a large portion of the town +was in flames. While the fire was being put out, +other soldiers went about stopping the Chinese +from looting the deserted mansions. The coolies +were at first made prisoners and put under guard +in the public park, but later on they were released +and set to work to clean the streets.</p> +<p>As Gilbert had said, the days immediately following +the fall of Malolos were not of special activity. +The hard, running fight along the railroad through +Caloocan, Polo, and other places, had all but exhausted +the army under General MacArthur, and +when the insurgents’ capital was taken, it was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +felt that the soldiers had earned a well-needed +rest. Moreover, many had been wounded and many +more were down, suffering from the heat and tropical +fever, and these had to be cared for in the +temporary hospitals established at various points +in the neighborhood. In the meantime the railroad +was repaired and Malolos was made a new +base for supplies. There were several skirmishes +in the neighborhood north and northeast of Malolos, +and in these the rebels were compelled to fall +back still further, yet the outbreaks amounted to +but little.</p> +<p>In the meantime, the Philippine Commission of +the United States issued a proclamation, translated +into the Spanish and Tagalog languages, calling +upon the insurgents to throw down their arms and +promising them good local government, the immediate +opening of schools and courts of law, the +building of railroads, and a civil service administration +in which the native should participate. +This proclamation was widely distributed, yet it +did little good; for the common people of the +islands were given to understand by their leaders +that the Americans did not mean what they said, +but had come to their country only to plunder +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span> +them, and would in the end treat them even worse +than had the Spaniards.</p> +<p>It was no easy work to repair the railroad running +from Manila to Malolos Station, which was +some distance from the town proper. All tools +and equipments had to be brought up from Manila +and from Cavite, and soon the engineering corps +found themselves harassed by some rebels in the +vicinity of Marilao and Guiguinto. At once General +MacArthur sent out a force to clear the ground, +and several sharp attacks ensued, which resulted +in the loss of twenty-three killed and wounded on +the American side, and double that number to the +enemy. In the end the rebels fled to the mountains +to the eastward and to Calumpit on the +north.</p> +<p>“We are going out to-morrow,” said Gilbert, +as he came to see Ben on the day following the +engagements just mentioned. “General Wheaton +says he is going to drive the rebels straight into +the mountains—and I reckon he’ll keep his word.”</p> +<p>Ben was at once anxious to go along, but this +was not yet to be, and he was forced to sit at a +window of the hospital and see his regiment march +by with colors flying gayly and all “the boys” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +eager for another contest. The members of his +own company gave him a cheer as they passed. +“You’ll soon be with us again, captain,” cried one. +“We won’t forget you! Hurrah!” and on they +marched, with a lieutenant from Company A leading +them, and with Gilbert and Major Morris and +many old friends with the regiment. Ben watched +them out of sight, and heaved a long sigh over +the fact that he was not of their number. But +there was still plenty of fighting in store for the +young captain, and many thrilling and bitter experiences +in the bargain.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_III_AN_ADVENTURE_ON_THE_PASIG_RIVER' id='CHAPTER_III_AN_ADVENTURE_ON_THE_PASIG_RIVER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>AN ADVENTURE ON THE PASIG RIVER</h3> +</div> +<p>“Hurrah, Luke! I reckon I am going to see +a bit of fighting at last.”</p> +<p>It was Larry who spoke, as he rushed up to his +old friend, Luke Striker, now one of the gun captains +on board the <i>Olympia</i>. It was the day after +the young tar had paid the visit to Ben.</p> +<p>“Fighting? where?” demanded the Yankee gunner. +“Do you mean to say as how the <i>Olympia</i> +is goin’ to do some scoutin’ alongshore, lad?”</p> +<p>“No, the ship is going to remain right where +she is. But General Lawton is going to take an +expedition up the Pasig River from San Pedro +Macati to the Laguna de Bay, and some of the +sailors are going along to help manage the cascos +and other boats. I just applied for a place, along +with Jack Biddle, and we both got in.”</p> +<p>“And why can’t I get in?” returned Luke, +eagerly. “This here everlastin’ sitting still, doin’ +nuthin’, is jest a-killin’ of me.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></div> +<p>“You might apply, although there are already +more volunteers than they want,” answered Larry. +He told his old friend how to make the necessary +application, and soon Luke had joined the expedition; +and the three friends hastened ashore and on +board a shallow river transport, which was to take +them and a number of others up to San Pedro +Macati.</p> +<p>The brief journey to the latter-named village was +without incident. Here Larry found assembled a +body of about thirteen hundred soldiers, infantry +and cavalry, and with them two hundred picked +sharpshooters, and two guns manned by members +of the regular artillery. Owing to the sickness +of the commanding general, General Lawton took +personal charge of the expedition.</p> +<p>No man was better fitted for fighting in the +Philippines than Major General Henry W. Lawton, +who had but lately arrived in the islands, and who +was destined to die the death of a hero upon the +firing line. Of commanding appearance, being six +feet three inches in height and weighing over two +hundred pounds, he was a soldier by nature and a +natural leader among leaders. He had fought all +through the great Civil War with much credit to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +himself, and it was he who, during the great +Apache Indian uprising, followed the crafty Geronimo +through mountain and over desert for a distance +of nearly fourteen hundred miles, and at last +caused him to surrender. For this, it is said, the +Indians called him “Man-who-gets-up-in-the-night-to-fight,” +and they respected him as they respected +few others.</p> +<p>With the outbreak of the war with Spain General +Lawton was in his element, and when the army +of occupation sailed for Santiago he was with them; +and it was this same Lawton who stormed El Caney +and captured it, as related in “A Young Volunteer +in Cuba.” When General Shafter wanted to call +Lawton away from El Caney, after the troops had +been fighting many hours, Lawton sent him word, +“I can’t stop—I’ve got to fight,” and went forward +again; and in less than an hour the Spanish +flag at the top of the hill was down, and Old Glory +had taken its place.</p> +<p>General Lawton was addressing several members +of his staff when Larry first saw him at San Pedro +Macati. He stood, war map in hand, in front of +the river landing, a conspicuous figure among the +half-dozen that surrounded him.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span></div> +<p>“He’s a fighter—you can see that,” whispered +Larry to Luke, who stood beside him. “Just look +at that square-set jaw. He won’t let up on the +rebels an inch.”</p> +<p>“Jest the kind we’re a-wantin’ out here,” responded +the Yankee gunner. “The more they +force the fightin’ the sooner the war will come to +an end. He’s coming toward us,” he added, as +General Lawton stepped from out of the circle +around him.</p> +<p>“You are from the <i>Olympia</i>, I believe?” he said, +addressing Luke.</p> +<p>“Yes, general,” replied the old gunner, touching +his forelock, while Larry also saluted. “We volunteered +for this expedition.”</p> +<p>“You look all right, but—” General Lawton +turned to Larry. “I’m afraid you are rather +young for this sort of thing, my lad,” he went on.</p> +<p>“I hope not, sir,” cried Larry, quickly. “I’ve +seen fighting before.”</p> +<p>“He was in the thickest of it when we knocked +out Admiral Montojo, general,” interposed Luke. +“You can trust him to do his full share, come +what may.”</p> +<p>“Oh, if he was in that fight I guess he’ll be all +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +right,” responded General Lawton, with a grim sort +of a smile. And he turned away to overlook the +shipping of some ammunition on one of the tinclad +gunboats which was to form part of the expedition.</p> +<p>The troops were speedily on the cascos, which +were to be towed by several steam launches and +escorted by three tinclads. Although Larry and +his friends did not know it till several hours +later, the destination was Santa Cruz, a pretty +town, situated on a slight hill overlooking the +placid waters of the Laguna de Bay. The general’s +plan was to reach the lake by nightfall, and +steal over the silent waters in the dark until the +vicinity of Santa Cruz was gained, in hopes that +the garrison might be caught “napping,” as it is +called.</p> +<p>For the time being the sailors were separated +one from another, each being put in charge of a +casco, the shallow rowboats being joined together +in strings of four to six each, and pulled along +with many a jerk and twist by the puffing little +launches, which at times came almost to a standstill.</p> +<p>“We won’t reach the lake by sunrise, and I +know it,” remarked one of the soldiers to Larry, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +who stood in the bow of the casco with an oar, +ready to do whatever seemed best for the craft. +“We’ve a good many miles to go yet.”</p> +<p>At that instant the casco ahead ran aground in +the shallow river, and Larry had all he could do +to keep his craft from running into it. As the +two boats came stem to stern one of the soldiers +in the craft ahead called out to those behind:—</p> +<p>“Say, Idaho, do you know where we are bound?”</p> +<p>“Bound for Santa Cruz, so I heard our captain +remark,” answered one of the soldiers in Larry’s +boat. “Got any tobacco, North Dakota?”</p> +<p>“Nary a pipeful, wuss luck,” was the response; +and then the line straightened out as the casco +ahead cleared herself from the mud, and the two +boats moved apart once more.</p> +<p>“Are we really going to Santa Cruz?” questioned +Larry, as soon as he got the chance. “I thought +we were bound for the north shore of the lake.”</p> +<p>“I can only tell you what I heard the captain +say,” answered the soldier, with a shrug of his +shoulder. “General Lawton ain’t blowing his plans +through a trumpet, you know.”</p> +<p>“I hope we do go to Santa Cruz,” mused Larry, +as he thought of what had been said of Benedicto +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +Lupez. “And if we take the town I hope we take +that rascal, too.”</p> +<p>The best laid plans are often upset by incidents +trifling in themselves. It was the dry season of +the year, and the Pasig River, usually broad and +turbulent, was now nothing better than a muddy, +shallow creek, winding and treacherous to the last +degree. As night came on the expedition found +itself still in the stream and many miles from the +lake, and here cascos and launches ran aground and +a general mix-up ensued.</p> +<p>“Hullo, what have we run up against now?” +growled the lieutenant in charge of the soldiers +in Larry’s boat. “Can’t you keep out of the mud, +Jackie?”</p> +<p>“I’m doing my best,” panted the youth, as he +shoved off for at least the fourth time. “With the +lines forward and aft pulling one way and another +it’s rather difficult to keep to the channel, especially +in the dark.”</p> +<p>“Oh, you’re only a boy and don’t understand the +trick,” growled the lieutenant, who was in a bad +humor generally. “I don’t see why they let you +come along.”</p> +<p>“Our boat is doing about as well as any of them,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +answered Larry, bound to defend himself. “Two +boats are aground to our left and three behind us.”</p> +<p>“See here, don’t talk back to me! You tend to +business and keep us out of the mud,” roared the +lieutenant, in worse humor than before.</p> +<p>An angry retort arose to Larry’s lips, but he +checked it. “A quarrel won’t do any good,” he +thought. “But what a bulldog that fellow is—as +bad as Quartermaster Yarrow, who caused me +so much trouble on the trip out here.”</p> +<p>On went the cascos once more, around a tortuous +bend and past a bank fringed with bushes and +reeds. The mosquitoes were numerous, likewise +the flies, and everybody began to wish the journey +at an end.</p> +<p>“We’d better make a charge on the insects,” +growled one old soldier. “They are worse nor the +rebels ten times over,” and, just then, many were +inclined to agree with him. Tobacco was scarce or +smoking would have been far more plentiful than +it was.</p> +<p>Midnight came and went, and found the expedition +still some distance from the lake. A few of +the soldiers were sleeping, but the majority remained +wide awake, fighting off the marshland pests, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +aiding in keeping the cascos and launches from running +high and dry in the mud. Had it not been +for the tinclads it is doubtful if the Laguna de Bay +would have been gained at all by more than half +of the craft composing the turnout. But they came +to the rescue time and again, and so the expedition +crawled along, until, at four o’clock, the clear sheet +of water beyond was sighted.</p> +<p>They were making the last turn before the lake +was gained when the casco ahead of that steered by +Larry went aground once more, dragging Larry’s +craft behind it. The youth did all he could to +back water, but in vain, and once more they heard +the unwelcome slish of mud under their bottom.</p> +<p>“Now you’ve done it again!” howled the lieutenant, +leaping up from his seat. “You numskull! +give me that oar.” And he tried to wrench the +blade from Larry’s hand.</p> +<p>“It was not my fault,” began the youth, when +the officer forced the blade from him and hurled +him back on one of the soldiers. Then the lieutenant +tried to do some poling for himself, and got +the oar stuck so tightly in the mud that he could +not loosen it.</p> +<p>Burning with indignation, Larry felt himself go +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +down in a heap, and at once tried to get up again. +At the same time the soldier beneath him gave him +a shove which pitched him several feet forward. +He landed up against the lieutenant with considerable +force, and in a twinkle the officer went overboard, +head first, into the water and mud where the +casco had stuck fast.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV_THE_GAP_IN_THE_FIRING_LINE' id='CHAPTER_IV_THE_GAP_IN_THE_FIRING_LINE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>THE GAP IN THE FIRING LINE</h3> +</div> +<p>“Hullo, Lieutenant Horitz has fallen overboard!”</p> +<p>“Pull him out of the mud, before he smothers or +drowns!”</p> +<p>Such were some of the cries which arose among +the soldiers that filled the casco. Then Larry was +shoved back, and two of them caught hold of the +legs of the man who had disappeared, as for an +instant they showed themselves. There was a “long +pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether,” and up +came the lieutenant, minus his hat and with his face +and neck well plastered with the black ooze of the +river bottom.</p> +<p>For a moment after he sank on the seat that was +vacated to receive him, he could not speak. One +of the soldiers handed him a handkerchief, and with +this he proceeded to clear his eyes and ears, at the +same time puffing vainly to get back his breath. At +last he cleared his throat and glared angrily at +Larry.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span></div> +<p>“You—you young whelp!” he fumed. “You—you +knocked me over on purpose!”</p> +<p>“No, sir, I did not,” answered the young tar, +promptly. “One of the soldiers shoved me up +against you.”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe you,” roared the unreasonable +one, as he continued to clean himself off. “You +shall pay dearly for this assault, mark me!”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you shove me?” asked Larry, appealing +to one of the soldiers.</p> +<p>“I shoved you off of my neck, yes,” answered the +enlisted man. “But I didn’t throw you into Lieutenant +Horitz. You did that yourself.”</p> +<p>“Of course he did it himself,” said another soldier, +who did not wish to see his tent-mate get into trouble. +“You had it in for the lieutenant ever since +he first spoke to you.”</p> +<p>“I shall report you the first chance I get,” growled +Lieutenant Horitz. “I reckon you’ll find that +General Lawton won’t allow any such disgraceful +conduct while he is in command.”</p> +<p>“What’s the row back there?” came out of the +darkness. “Hurry up and get afloat, or we’ll cut +the rope and leave you to shift for yourselves.”</p> +<p>“Our officer was just shoved overboard,” answered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +Snapper, the soldier who had given Larry the +unlucky push. “And we’ve lost our oar.”</p> +<p>“No, I have the oar,” put in Larry, making a +clutch into the water for the article just as it was +about to float out of reach. He leaped into the bow +once more, and began to work vigorously, and in a +few seconds they were again afloat.</p> +<p>Fortunately for the lieutenant the night was warm, +so he suffered no inconvenience so far as his wet +clothing was concerned. But it was no mean task +to clean both himself and his uniform, and what to +do for another hat he did not know. He would have +taken Larry’s headgear had that article been anyway +suitable, but it was not.</p> +<p>It must be confessed that Larry felt thoroughly ill +at ease. That there was trouble ahead went without +saying, and he half wished himself safe back on the +<i>Olympia</i>. “He’ll make out the worst case he can +against me,” he thought. “And his men will back +him up in all he says.” Yet he felt that he was +guilty of no intentional wrong-doing, and resolved +to stand up for himself to the best of his ability.</p> +<p>The lieutenant had learned one lesson—that he +knew no more about handling the casco than did +Larry, if as much, and, consequently, he offered no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +more suggestions as to how to run the craft. But he +kept muttering under his breath at the youth, and +Larry felt that he was aching to “get square.”</p> +<p>It was early dawn when the casco turned into the +lake proper. As the sun came up it shed its light +on one of the prettiest sheets of water Larry had +ever beheld. The lake was as smooth as a millpond, +and surrounded with long stretches of marshland +and heavy thickets of tropical growth. Fish were +plentiful, as could be seen by gazing into the clear +depths below, and overhead circled innumerable +birds. Villages dotted the lake shore at various +points, but these the expedition gave a wide berth, +setting out directly for Santa Cruz, still several miles +distant, behind the hill previously mentioned.</p> +<p>If it had been General Lawton’s intention to +attack the town from in front in the dark, that plan +had now to be changed, and the expedition turned +toward shore at a point at least three miles from the +town proper.</p> +<p>But even here the rebels could be seen to be on the +alert, and a rapid-firing gun was put into action and +directed along the lake front. The gun was manned +by some men from the <i>Napadan</i>, and did such wonderful +execution that soon the insurgent sentries +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +were seen to be fleeing toward the town at utmost +speed. Then a small detachment from some brush +also retreated, and the coast was clear.</p> +<p>It was no easy matter to land, as the water here +was shallow and the cascos had to be poled along +over the soft mud. The sharpshooters were the first +ashore, and they soon cleared a spot for the others. +But a few of the rebels were “game,” and as a result +one man was wounded, although not seriously. The +cavalry remained on the boats, to land closer to the +hill later on.</p> +<p>The landing had consumed much valuable time, +and it was now after noon. A hasty meal was had, +and then the column moved off, spreading out in fan +shape as it advanced, the sharpshooters to the front +and the rear, and a number of special scouts on +the alert to give the first warning of danger. Soon +the scouts in front came back with the news that the +insurgents were forming in front of our troops and +that Santa Cruz and its garrison seemed thoroughly +aroused to the danger which threatened.</p> +<p>“Forward, boys!” was the cry. “The more time +we give them, the better they will be prepared to +meet us. Forward without delay!” And the +“boys” went forward with a wild hurrah, for everything +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +promised well, and they were much pleased to +have General Lawton lead them, even though they +had no fault to find with their other commanders.</p> +<p>The first skirmish began on the extreme right. +Some rebels had found their way to a hill behind +the town, and they began the attack from a patch +of wild plantains, thickly interlaced with tropical +vines. Up the hill after them dashed the right +wing, and the sharp rattle of musketry resounded +upon both sides for the best part of half an hour. +Then the rebels broke and ran, and in their eagerness +our troops followed them until a point less +than two miles from Santa Cruz was gained. Here +the insurgents scattered, and could not be rounded +up, and the right wing fell back, to unite with +the main body of the expedition. But the woods +were thick, the ground new to the Americans, and +in the gathering darkness it was several hours before +the firing line was compact once more. Then +the expedition rested for the night.</p> +<p>Larry had landed with the soldiers, and, as the +other cascos came up, he was speedily joined by +Luke Striker and Jack Biddle.</p> +<p>“I wonder what part we air to take in this +comin’ mix-up?” queried Luke.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></div> +<p>“Like as not they will leave us here to mind +the boats,” replied Larry. “I can tell you that +I am rather sorry I came along,” he added soberly.</p> +<p>“Sorry!” ejaculated Jack Biddle. “Surely, +Larry, ye ain’t afraid—”</p> +<p>“No, I’m not afraid,” interrupted the youth. +And then he told of the scene in the casco, and +of what Lieutenant Horitz had said. When he +had finished, Jack cut a wry face and Luke uttered +a low whistle.</p> +<p>“You’ve run up agin a rock fer sartin, Larry,” +remarked Luke. “I reckon he can make things +look putty bad for ye if he’s of a mind to do it.”</p> +<p>“Keep quiet an’ say nuthin’, an’ he may forgit +all about it,” was Jack Biddle’s advice.</p> +<p>The boats having been cared for, the sailors followed +the soldiers through the field and into the +woods. All told there were twenty-five jackies, +and by common consent they formed themselves +into a company of their own, with a petty officer +named Gordell at their head. Gordell went to +General Lawton for directions, and was told to +follow the volunteers until given further orders. +Each sailor was armed with a pistol and a ship’s +cutlass.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span></div> +<p>The march was a hot one, but Larry was now +getting accustomed to the tropics and hardly +minded this. The little company advanced with +caution, nobody desiring to run into an ambush. +Soon the firing on the right reached their ears, and +they knew that some sort of an engagement was on. +Then came a halt, and presently the darkness of +night fell over them; and they went into camp beside +a tiny watercourse flowing into a good-sized +stream which separated the expedition from the +outskirts of Santa Cruz.</p> +<p>Supper disposed of, Larry and Luke Striker took +a stroll forward, to find out what the firing line +was really doing and if the insurgents were in +front in force. “We may have a bigger fight on +hand nor any of us expect,” suggested the old +Yankee gunner.</p> +<p>“You can trust General Lawton not to run his +head into the lion’s mouth,” returned Larry. “A +soldier who has whipped the Apache Indians isn’t +going to suffer any surprise at the hands of these +Tagals, no matter how wily they are.”</p> +<p>“Don’t be too sure o’ thet, Larry. The best +on us make mistakes sometimes,” answered the +Yankee, with a grave shake of his head. But General +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +Lawton made no mistake, as we shall speedily +see.</p> +<p>As has been said, the right wing had become +detached from the main body of the expedition +during the fight on the hill back of Santa Cruz. +The firing line of this wing had not yet united +with the centre, consequently there was a gap of +over a quarter of a mile in the front. Had the +Tagalogs known of this they might have divided +the expedition and surrounded the right wing completely, +but they did not know, so the temporary +separation did no damage to the soldiers. But +that gap brought a good bit of trouble to Larry +and his friend.</p> +<p>On and on went the pair, down a narrow road +lined on either side with palms and plantains and +sweet-smelling shrubs. From the hollows the frogs +croaked dismally, and here and there a night bird +uttered its lonely cry, but otherwise all was silent.</p> +<p>“Humph, they’ve pushed the firing line ahead +further than I thought,” remarked Luke, after +half a mile had been covered. “Here’s a small river. +Do ye reckon as how they went over thet, lad?”</p> +<p>“It must be so,” answered the boy. “Certainly, +we haven’t been challenged.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></div> +<p>Crossing the rude bridge, they found that the +road made a sharp turn to the southward. Beyond +was a nipa hut, back of which burnt a small camp-fire. +Both hut and fire seemed deserted.</p> +<p>“They have cleaned the rebels out from there,” +said Larry. “Come ahead,” and they continued +on their way, little dreaming of the trap into +which they were walking.</p> +<p>The nipa hut passed, they came to a tall fence +built of bamboo stalks, sharpened at the tops and +bound with native rope-vine. Farther on still +were a dozen shelters, and here could be seen several +women and children sitting in the doorways.</p> +<p>“Perhaps they can give us some information,” +said Larry, as they approached the natives. As +soon as they saw the Americans the children +shrieked dismally and rushed out of sight. But +the women held their ground, feeling that they +would not be molested.</p> +<p>“See anything of our soldiers?” demanded Luke +of the women, but one and all shook their heads. +“No Englees talk,” mumbled one, meaning they +did not understand or speak our tongue.</p> +<p>The natives’ manner made Larry suspicious, and +he glanced around hurriedly. As he did so there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +was a click of a trigger from behind the bamboo +fence.</p> +<p>“<i>Americanos</i> surrender,” came in bad English +from back of the fence. “Surrender quick, or +we shoot both dead on the spot!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_V_AN_ENCOUNTER_AT_THE_RIVER' id='CHAPTER_V_AN_ENCOUNTER_AT_THE_RIVER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>AN ENCOUNTER AT THE RIVER</h3> +</div> +<p>To say that both Larry and his old friend were +surprised at the sudden demand which had been +made upon them would be to put the truth very +mildly. They had been of the firm belief that the +insurgents had retreated, and to find themselves +in a “reg’lar hornet’s nest,” as Luke afterward +expressed it, dumfounded them.</p> +<p>“Do you surrender, or not?” came the words, +after an awkward pause.</p> +<p>It was dark about the huts, yet not so dim but +that they could see the barrels of several Mauser +rifles thrust toward them. The sight made Larry +shiver, for he had never before met the rebel soldiers +at such close quarters.</p> +<p>“We’re in a box,” muttered Luke. “Somethin’ +wrong somewhar—our soldiers didn’t come this +way, ye kin reckon on thet.”</p> +<p>“I move we run for it,” whispered Larry. “If +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +they take us prisoners—” He did not finish, but +his silence was more impressive than mere words +would have been. He had heard many stories of +terrible cruelty practised by the insurgents on +their prisoners, and whether these tales were true +or not, they had had their full effect on both him +and his shipmates.</p> +<p>“Where are ye goin’ to run to, lad? We don’t +want to run an’ be shot down in cold blood.”</p> +<p>“Get in front of me and take to the woods +opposite, <a name='TC_2'></a><ins class='trchange' title="Changed single quote mark to double quote mark">Luke,”</ins> was the hurried reply. “Here +goes! I don’t think they’ll fire now!”</p> +<p>As Larry concluded, he sprang to the side of +one of the native women standing nearest to him. +Before the woman could resist, he had her in his +arms behind him and was running off as speedily +as the weight of his living load permitted. Seeing +this, Luke scuttled off before, and away they +went for the woods, not twenty yards distant.</p> +<p>A howl arose on the night air, and one gun +went off, but the bullet did no damage. Then the +leader of the rebels was heard, calling to his men +not to fire, for fear of killing the woman, who +chanced, by good luck, to be a close relative; for +the soldiers behind the bamboo fence were part of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +a home guard brought out that very afternoon to +defend the road and Santa Cruz.</p> +<p>The woman on Larry’s back shrieked in terror +and clawed at his neck and hair, causing him +considerable pain. But he held his burden tight +until the shelter of the trees was gained, when he +let her slip to the ground and darted after Luke, +who was running with all the speed of his lanky +limbs.</p> +<p>It was pitch dark in the jungle, and the pair +had not advanced more than a hundred yards +when they found themselves going down into a +hollow which both felt must lead to a dangerous +swamp, or morass, for the island of Luzon is full +of such fever-breeding places.</p> +<p>“Go slow, lad,” whispered Luke, as he caught +Larry by the hand. “We don’t want to land out +o’ the fryin’-pan into the fire.”</p> +<p>They both became silent and listened attentively. +At a distance they heard the insurgents coming +on slowly and cautiously, spreading out as they +advanced. Probably they knew the topography of +the country and meant to surround the hollow +completely.</p> +<p>“They are coming, that’s sure,” whispered Larry, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +and clutched his pistol. “I wonder if we can’t +get away from them by climbing a tree.”</p> +<p>“We can—if they ain’t a-followin’ the trail +putty close,” answered his companion.</p> +<p>They began to search around for a tree, and in +doing so came to several large rocks, much over-grown +with trailing vines. There was an opening +between two of the rocks, and Luke slipped into +this, hauling Larry after him.</p> +<p>“Jest as good as a tree, an’ mebbe better,” he +whispered, as he rearranged the vines over the +opening.</p> +<p>The hiding-place was not a large one, and Larry +felt very much like a sardine in a box as he +crouched close to his Yankee friend. The vines +covered the opening completely, yet they remained +on guard, each with his finger on the trigger of +his weapon, resolved, if the worst came to the +worst, to fight the best they knew how before +surrendering.</p> +<p>The Filipinos were evidently puzzled, for they +had come to a halt and made not the slightest +noise. Possibly they were listening for some sound +from those they were pursuing, but if so, none +came, for Luke clapped his hand warningly over +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +Larry’s mouth, and the youth understood and remained +as motionless as a statue.</p> +<p>Five minutes went by—to the boy they seemed +an age—and then the rebels came on again, halting +every few steps to make sure of their ground. +Three passed close to the rocks, so close in fact +that Larry and Luke could have shot them down +without trouble. But this would have given the +alarm to the entire party, and neither the boy nor +the man wanted to shed blood unless it became +absolutely necessary.</p> +<p>At last the Filipinos had left the rocks behind +and were circling around the swamp at the bottom +of the hollow. “Now is the time to give ’em the +slip,” whispered Luke, and crawled once more into +the open. Larry followed, and both hurried away +from the vicinity with all possible speed. It was +the last seen or heard of the party who had so +unexpectedly blockaded their progress on the highway.</p> +<p>The jungle at the top of the hill was as dense +as that below, and the pair had not proceeded far +before they found themselves in a veritable tangle +of bushes and vines. The bushes were of the +thorny kind peculiar to this locality, and more than +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +once Larry found himself caught and held as if in +a vice.</p> +<p>“My clothing will be in tatters if this keeps on,” +he panted, as he cut himself loose with difficulty. +“Did you ever see such a thicket!”</p> +<p>“We missed it when we started out to-night,” +returned Luke, gravely. “We’ve gone astray o’ +the firm’ line and everything else, to my way +o’ lookin’ at it.”</p> +<p>Bad as was their situation, they felt it would be +worse with the coming of daylight. “We must +get out of the enemy’s territory before the sun +<a name='TC_3'></a><ins class='trchange' title="Changed single quote mark to double quote mark">rises,”</ins> said Larry. “If we don’t, we’ll have no +show at all.”</p> +<p>But getting out was not easy; indeed, the farther +they advanced, the more difficult did it seem to +become, until both came to the conclusion that +they had missed their bearings entirely, and were +lost. “And can’t even see the stars to read ’em,” +groaned Luke. “Larry, we might as well make +the best of it, and wait for daylight.”</p> +<p>But the youth demurred and insisted on going +ahead. “We’re bound to strike something soon,” +he said, and did, immediately afterward. It was a +log lying on the edge of an incline, and down he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +pitched, and log and lad rolled over and over, with +Luke following, to bring up with a loud splash in +the river below.</p> +<p>The force of their fall took them under the surface +of the stream, and in the struggle to save +themselves both lost their cutlasses. But, as old +readers know, each could swim well, and they +speedily came up and struck out for the most +available landing-place, which was on the opposite +bank.</p> +<p>“<i>Alto!</i>” came the sudden cry, in Spanish. +“Halt!” And now a sentry appeared from behind +a pile of cord-wood lying but a short distance +away.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_3' id='linki_3'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus058.jpg' alt='' title='' width='336' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“Alto!” came the sudden cry.—<i>Page 47.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>“Discovered again,” muttered Luke, and felt for +his pistol. “Soaked!” he muttered, in disgust.</p> +<p>The cry of the rebel on guard had given the +alarm to several others, and in a twinkling Larry +and the old Yankee tar found themselves confronted +by an even more determined crowd than +that encountered on the road. With the water +behind them, escape was out of the question, for a +jump back into the river would have courted a +fire which must have resulted in death.</p> +<p>“<i>Americanos!</i>” muttered one of the rebels, drawing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +closer. “And sailors, not soldiers,” he added, +in his native tongue. “Where did you come from?”</p> +<p>Larry and Luke shook their heads. “Talk +United States and we’ll speak to you,” said the +old sailor.</p> +<p>“You gif up?” demanded an under officer, as +he pushed his way forward, with his pistol covering +Larry’s heart.</p> +<p>“Ain’t nuthin’ else to do, I reckon,” replied Luke, +before Larry could answer. He was afraid the boy +might be rash and try running away again.</p> +<p>“Throw down de pistoles, den,” muttered the +Tagal, with an ugly frown.</p> +<p>Down went the weapons on the ground, and +then two of the rebels advanced to search them. +They found nothing of special value excepting the +pair’s jack-knives, and these were confiscated and +turned over to the officer in command.</p> +<p>The prisoners were then told to march up the +river shore to a road leading into Santa Cruz. +With their hands bound tightly behind them, they +were placed in charge of a detail of four Filipinos, +who were instructed to take them without delay +before the general in charge of the city’s defences.</p> +<p>“They may hold information of importance,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +said the under officer. “Do not delay a minute;” +and off went the crowd, the soldiers prodding the +prisoners with their bayonets whenever Larry and +Luke did not walk fast enough to suit them.</p> +<p>The course taken was through a narrow and +exceedingly dirty street. It was after midnight, +yet the expected attack of the Americans had kept +all the inhabitants awake. The prisoners were +jeered at repeatedly, and at one point were covered +with a shower of mud and stale vegetables. The +onslaught might have been more serious had not +the soldiers interfered.</p> +<p>“Get back, you dogs,” shouted the leader, a little +Tagal scarcely five feet in height, but with an air +of magnificent importance. “These men are to +go before the general, and at once!” And much +abashed the natives fell back, and the prisoners +were molested no further.</p> +<p>It would naturally be supposed that the general +in command would be found at the front at such +a time, when an attack on the city was but a matter +of a few hours. Instead, however, General Bamodo +was found at one of the government buildings, +calmly smoking a cigar, and conversing with several +native business men.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span></div> +<p>“Spies, eh?” he queried, when the guard had told +him about the prisoners. “Bring them in immediately.”</p> +<p>Larry and Luke were told to enter the room, +and did so, their still wet clothing forming little +puddles at their feet. The guards stood beside and +behind them. General Bamodo eyed them critically. +He spoke no English, and so called in an interpreter.</p> +<p>“Where are you from?” demanded the interpreter, +presently, after a few words with his +superior.</p> +<p>“We are from the warship <i>Olympia</i>,” answered +Luke, briefly.</p> +<p>“You were sent here by General Otis as spies, +not so?”</p> +<p>“No, sir, we are jest plain, everyday sailors.”</p> +<p>“Then what brought you here?” demanded the +interpreter, after translating their words to General +Bamodo.</p> +<p>“We missed our way on the road,” put in Larry, +before Luke could answer. He thought it best not +to say anything about accompanying General Lawton’s +expedition.</p> +<p>“You must have missed it very much, General +Bamodo says,” growled the interpreter, after another +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +consultation with his superior. “Santa Cruz +is a good many miles from Manila harbor.”</p> +<p>To this Larry remained silent, and another talk +in Spanish followed. Then a sudden shot from +a distance caused General Bamodo to leap to his +feet and dash down his cigar.</p> +<p>“Take them to the prison—I will examine them +later on,” he said, in Spanish, and hurried away.</p> +<p>A few minutes later Larry and his Yankee friend +were marched off, this time to a stone building +several squares away. Here they were taken inside, +thrust into a cell, the iron-barred door was locked +upon them, and they were left to their fate.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI_IN_WHICH_LUKE_STRIKER_IS_WOUNDED' id='CHAPTER_VI_IN_WHICH_LUKE_STRIKER_IS_WOUNDED'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>IN WHICH LUKE STRIKER IS WOUNDED</h3> +</div> +<p>The plan to surprise Santa Cruz had failed, yet +General Lawton’s command was just as eager as +ever to press forward and do battle with the native +garrison, of which the town on the Laguna de Bay +boasted. It was thought the Filipino command +could not be a strong one, and even if it had been +the Americans would have gone ahead just the +same, so accustomed were they to victory over their +misguided foes.</p> +<p>It was arranged that the centre and left wing +of the infantry should move directly upon the town, +while the right wing should swing around, to cut +off the Filipinos’ retreat, should they start such +a movement. In the meantime, protected by a +cross fire from the tinclads, <i>Laguna</i> and <i>Oeste</i>, the +cavalry landed on the hill overlooking the bay, and +began to do battle with the enemy’s force in that +territory, cutting its way over field and brush to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +the left wing as it swung closer to the river already +mentioned several times. The cavalry developed +a strong resistance which lasted for over an hour; +but in the end the Filipinos were glad enough to +fall back into the town proper.</p> +<p>Out on the main road leading to the principal +bridge over the river the sun was boiling hot, and +many a soldier felt more like seeking shelter and +resting than like pushing forward with his heavy +gun and other equipments. But General Lawton +was here and there, encouraging every one, and they +pushed on until a sharp fire between the enemy and +the advance guard told that a running fight, +and perhaps a regular battle, would soon be at +hand.</p> +<p>“At them, my men!” cried the various commanders. +“They’ll run, no doubt of it. They +haven’t stood up against us yet!” And away went +the long skirmishing line, and soon there was a +steady crack and pop of guns and pistols as the +Americans pushed on, catching many a poor Filipino +who was too late in either running or throwing +down his arms. A number surrendered, and these +were promptly sent to the rear.</p> +<p>Presently the river was gained, and here the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +Americans came to an unexpected halt. There was +a long bridge to cross, and beyond was a barricade +of stone and wood. Were the insurgents massed +behind that barricade? If they were, to cross the +bridge in column of fours or otherwise would mean +a terrible slaughter.</p> +<p>“Here goes!” sang out one petty officer, and +made a dash forward, which was as reckless as it +was daring. As he moved along the bridge several +held their breath, expecting to see him go down at +any instant. But then came a rush of first half +a dozen, then a score, and then whole companies, +and it was speedily seen that the barricade was +practically deserted. The insurgents were hurrying +into the town as hard as they could, with Uncle +Sam’s men after them, both sides keeping up a +steady firing as they ran.</p> +<p>In the meantime, soaked to the skin and utterly +miserable over their capture, Larry and his Yankee +friend had been thrust into the prison cell and left +to themselves. After the door was locked and the +jailer walked away, the youth uttered a long-drawn +sigh.</p> +<p>“Luke, we’re in a pickle, this trip,” he groaned. +“What do you suppose they will do with us?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></div> +<p>“Heaven alone knows, my lad,” responded the +old tar. “Bein’ as how they ain’t cannibals, I don’t +reckon they’ll eat us up,” and he smiled grimly.</p> +<p>“They think we are spies.”</p> +<p>“Thet’s so.”</p> +<p>“Do you know that they shoot spies—and do it +in short order, too?”</p> +<p>“And why shouldn’t I know it, Larry? I’ve +heard tell on it often enough. But they have got to +prove we air spies first, ain’t they?”</p> +<p>“They’ll do what they please. I believe half of +these Filipinos think the Americans are nothing but +cut-throats. They can’t conceive that we should +want to come here and govern them for their own +good.”</p> +<p>“Because they would rather govern themselves, +even if they made a mess of it, than be under anybody’s +thumb nail, Larry. Howsomever, thet ain’t +the p’int jest now. The p’int is, kin we git out o’ +here before they settle to do wuss with us?”</p> +<p>“Get out? You mean break jail?”</p> +<p>“Exactly. We don’t want to stay here if we kin +git out, do we?”</p> +<p>“To be sure not.” Larry leaped up from the +bench upon which he had been resting and ran to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +the door. At this Luke smiled glumly and shook +his head.</p> +<p>“Ye won’t go it thet way, lad—the guard locked +it, I seen him do it,—and the lock is a strong one, +too.”</p> +<p>Luke was right, as a brief examination proved. +Then the boy turned to the window, an affair less +than a foot square, having over it several iron bars +set firmly into the stones. “No thoroughfare +there,” was his comment.</p> +<p>The two next examined the floor, to find it of +brick, and as solid as the walls. “Only the ceilin’ +left now,” said Luke. “I reckon we might as well +give it up. Even if we do git out, more’n likely a +guard outside will shoot us down.”</p> +<p>But Larry was determined to test the ceiling, +which was but a couple of feet over their heads. So +he had his companion hold him for that purpose.</p> +<p>“There is a loose board up there,” he cried, as he +was feeling his way along. “Hold me a little +higher, Luke, and perhaps I can shove it up.”</p> +<p>The old sailor did as requested, and with a strong +push Larry shifted one end of the plank above, so +that it left an opening ten inches wide and several +feet long. Catching a good hold he pulled himself +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +to the apartment above, to find it stored with boxes +and barrels containing old military uniforms and +other army equipments, relics of Spanish rule.</p> +<p>“Any way out up thar?” queried Luke. “If +there is, we don’t want to waste any time, ye +know.”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you in a minute,” replied Larry, in a low +voice, and ran first to one end window of the storeroom +and then the other. In front was the street, +fast filling with soldiers. In the rear was a stable +which just now seemed deserted. The several windows +of the storeroom were all barred, but here the +bars were screwed fast to wood instead of being set +in stone.</p> +<p>“I think there is a chance here,” said the boy, +coming back to the opening. “Here, give me your +hand, and I’ll help you up,” and he bent down; and +soon Luke stood beside him.</p> +<p>“Think we can git out thet way, eh!” said the +Yankee tar, surveying the prospect in the rear. +“Well, I reckon it’s worth workin’ for, Larry. But +the drop from the window, even if we pull away the +bars—”</p> +<p>“Here is a rope—we can use that,” answered the +boy, pointing out the article around several small +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +boxes. While Luke pried away the bars of one of +the rear windows he possessed himself of the rope, +and tied it fast to a bar which was not disturbed. +As soon as the opening was sufficiently large to +admit of the passage of each one’s body, Luke +swung himself over the window-sill.</p> +<p>“Come on,” he cried softly, and slipped from +view. Never had he gone down a ship’s rope +quicker, and never had Larry followed his friend +with such alacrity. Both felt that life or death +depended upon the rapidity of their movements.</p> +<p>The ground was hardly touched by Luke when a +Filipino boy appeared at the entrance to the stable. +For an instant the youth stared in opened-mouthed +astonishment, then he uttered a yell that would have +done credit to an Indian on the war-path.</p> +<p>“The jig’s up!” cried the Yankee tar. “Come, +Larry, our legs have got to save us, if we’re to be +saved at all.”</p> +<p>He leaped across the yard and for the corner of +the stable, where he collided with a Tagal soldier, +who was coming forward to learn what the yelling +meant. Down went both the sailor and the guard; +but the rebel got the worse of it, for he lay half +stunned, while Luke was up in a trice. As the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +soldier fell, his gun flew from his hands, and Larry +tarried just long enough to pick the weapon up.</p> +<p>Behind the stable was a narrow, winding street, +lined on either side with huts and other native +dwellings, with here and there a barnlike warehouse. +Into this street darted our two friends, and +there paused, not knowing whether to move toward +the wharves or in the opposite direction.</p> +<p>“Look out!” suddenly yelled Larry, and dropped +flat, followed by the Yankee tar. A sharp report +rang out, and a bullet whistled over their heads, +coming from the prison yard. On the instant Larry +fired in return, and the prison guard disappeared as +if by magic. Long afterward, Larry learned that +he had hit the Tagal in the arm.</p> +<p>There was now a general alarm throughout the +prison, and the two escaped prisoners felt that any +other locality would be better for them than the one +they now occupied. “Let us try to find our soldiers,” +said Luke, and once again they started to +run, this time up the road where, far away, they +could make out a forest of some sort. Then came a +second report, and Luke Striker staggered back, hit +in the shoulder.</p> +<p>“Luke! Luke, you are struck!” gasped Larry. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +His heart seemed to leap into his throat. What if +his dearest friend had been mortally wounded?</p> +<p>“I—I—reckon it—it ain’t much!” came with +a shiver. The sailor straightened himself up and +started to run again. “They are after us hot-like, +ain’t they?”</p> +<p>A turn in the road soon took them out of sight of +the prison, and they breathed a bit more freely. But +the strain was beginning to tell upon Luke, and +watching him, Larry saw that he was growing +deathly pale.</p> +<p>“You can’t keep this up, Luke,” he said, and put +out his arm to aid his friend. As he did so, the +Yankee tar gave a short groan, threw up both hands, +and then sank down in a heap at the boy’s feet.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII_THE_RETREAT_TO_THE_RICEHOUSE' id='CHAPTER_VII_THE_RETREAT_TO_THE_RICEHOUSE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>THE RETREAT TO THE RICE-HOUSE</h3> +</div> +<p>Larry was greatly alarmed, not knowing but that +his companion was about to die on his hands. +Quickly he knelt at the Yankee’s side, to learn that +Luke had fainted away from loss of blood. The +shoulder of his shirt and jacket were saturated +through and through.</p> +<p>“What shall I do?” the boy asked himself, and +gazed hurriedly at the surroundings. To one side +of the road were several nipa huts, to the other +a long, rambling warehouse. The doorways of all +the buildings stood open, and no one seemed to be +in sight.</p> +<p>As quickly as he could the youth took up his +friend and staggered with his heavy burden to the +warehouse, which was about half filled with rice. +Entering the structure, he passed to a small apartment +somewhat in the rear. Here there was a quantity +of old sacking in a heap, and upon this rude +couch Larry placed the unconscious form.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></div> +<p>The boy had been taught on shipboard just what +to do in case of such an emergency, and now he +worked as he never had before, for Luke was very +dear to him, and the thought that his friend might +die was horrible to contemplate. He prayed to +Heaven that the old gunner’s life might be spared +to him.</p> +<p>The wound was an ugly one; yet even to Larry’s +inexperienced eye it did not look as if it could be +fatal, and the boy breathed a long sigh of relief as he +bound it up. Then he went in search of water, and +finding a well back of the warehouse brought a +bucketful in and began to bathe Luke. Soon the +sufferer stirred and opened his honest eyes wonderingly.</p> +<p>“Why—er—how’s this?” he stammered. “Did +I—oh, I remember now!” And he sank back +again.</p> +<p>“Keep quiet,” whispered the boy. He had heard +voices coming toward the warehouse. “If you +make a sound, it may be all up with both of +us.”</p> +<p>The old tar breathed heavily and nodded. Throwing +some sacking over the prostrate form, Larry +slipped back into the main apartment of the warehouse. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +He still held the gun, but it was empty and +could be used only as a club.</p> +<p>Two men were approaching the warehouse, both +tall, slim, and evidently of Spanish extraction. +They were talking loudly and excitedly to one +another; but as Larry understood but few words of +Spanish, what they were saying was lost upon the +boy.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe they are after us,” thought the +lad, when the strangers came to a halt just outside +the warehouse. As they did so a long volley of rifle +shots came from a distance, followed by another and +then another. The shooting came from the centre of +the town and made Larry’s heart beat fast. “Our +soldiers must be coming in,” he thought. “Oh, I +hope they make the town ours!”</p> +<p>The shots appeared to disturb the two Spaniards +greatly, for both clutched each other by the arm and +looked thoroughly frightened.</p> +<p>Presently an old woman came running out of +one of the huts. She yelled at the two Spaniards +in her own tongue and pointed at the warehouse. +Evidently she had seen Larry and Luke, but had +been afraid to expose herself.</p> +<p>The strangers listened to the old woman with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +interest, then began to talk to each other. “Perhaps +we can get some information, José,” said one, +in Spanish.</p> +<p>“Perhaps we shall get a bullet,” answered his +companion, grimly. Nevertheless, he consented to +enter the building, and both passed through the +great doorway of the warehouse.</p> +<p>Hardly knowing how to receive the newcomers, +Larry stepped for a moment behind a bin of rice. +But then, as the pair moved toward where Luke +lay, he raised his gun threateningly.</p> +<p>“Halt!” he called, as sternly as he could. +“Halt, or I shall fire!”</p> +<p>“We are betrayed!” roared one of the Spaniards, +in his native tongue. “No shoot! no shoot!” he +added, in broken English. “We mean you no +harm.”</p> +<p>“Up with your hands, then,” went on Larry, +resolved to make the most of the situation, even +though the gun was empty; and four hands went +promptly into the air, for the two men before him +were as cowardly as they were unprincipled.</p> +<p>There was an awkward silence for several seconds, +while boy and men surveyed each other. +Larry lowered the gun slightly, but still kept his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +finger on the trigger. He noted that the newcomers +appeared to be unarmed, although they had +both knives and pistols hidden upon their persons.</p> +<p>“You are an <i>Americano</i> sailor, not so?” asked +one of the Spaniards.</p> +<p>“I am,” was Larry’s prompt reply. “Are you +one of Aguinaldo’s rebels?”</p> +<p>“No, no! We are no rebels—we are peaceful +Spanish gentlemen,” put in the second Spaniard.</p> +<p>“Do you belong here?”</p> +<p>“I belong here,” said the man who had first +spoken. “My brother, he belongs at Manila.”</p> +<p>The brother mentioned shot an angry glance at +the speaker. “Yes, I come from Manila,” he said. +“But I belong truly in Spain, being a merchant of +Madrid.”</p> +<p>“Well, our war with you folks is over,” said +Larry, slowly, hardly knowing how to proceed. +“If you are not going to help the rebels, you ought +to help us. We are doing all we can for your prisoners +out here,” he added, meaning the Spaniards +that were being held by the forces under General +Aguinaldo—soldiers who were captured during the +struggle between Spain and her Philippine colonies.</p> +<p>“We can do but little,” came with a shrug of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +the shoulders. “We are not armed, and if we +help the <i>Americanos</i>, Aguinaldo says he will behead +all the Spanish prisoners he is holding.” Such a +threat was actually made, but it is doubtful if the +Filipinos would have been base enough to carry +it out.</p> +<p>“We came in here not to make trouble,” went +on the second Spaniard. “We came to learn what +the firing means. Are the <i>Americanos</i> coming here +in force?”</p> +<p>“They are.”</p> +<p>“Then Santa Cruz is doomed,” groaned the Spaniard. +He dropped his hands and began to pace the +warehouse floor. “I shall lose much if the city +falls. The rebels will burn all my property, for +they hate me.”</p> +<p>“I trust not,” answered Larry, his fear of the +pair gradually leaving him. “Hark to that!” +he added, as the rattle of guns was again heard. +“Our men must be coming in fast, and orders are +to save everything that can be saved. If the +rebels—”</p> +<p>He broke off short as a cry from Luke reached +him. Running to the Yankee sailor he found Luke +kicking out vigorously with his foot.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span></div> +<p>“I couldn’t keep still no longer, nohow!” burst +out the old tar. “A plagued rat came right up +and wanted to nibble my leg, hang him. Who’s +them air fellows out thar?”</p> +<p>But the Spaniards had already followed Larry, +and were now gazing at Luke in wonder. +“Wounded, not so?” said one. “You were in +the fight, then.”</p> +<p>“No, we escaped from the prison,” answered +Larry, simply. “We were captured during last +night. I wish I was sure we’d be safe here until +our soldiers come along.” He turned to the old +sailor again. “How do you feel now?”</p> +<p>“Better, Larry, a heap better. But I ain’t ready +fer no more foot races jest yet.”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll have to remain here. Or perhaps +you had better remain here while I go scouting +around and see if I can find some of our soldiers, or +the ambulance corps.”</p> +<p>“An’ what o’ these gentlemen?”</p> +<p>“We shall go, too,” said one of the Spaniards. +“Your friend will be safe here—if he keeps hidden +under the sacks,” he added.</p> +<p>Waiting for the strangers to move first, Larry +came behind them, still holding the gun as though +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +the weapon were ready for use. The men had +spoken fairly enough, yet there was that about +them which did not please Larry in the least. +“They are regular rascals, or else I miss my +guess,” thought the youth.</p> +<p>The roadway still seemed deserted. But far off +they could see the natives flying in several directions. +Then from a distance came a cheer which +Larry knew could only come from American +throats.</p> +<p>“Our soldiers must be over there,” he said to +the Spaniards. “Will you come with me?”</p> +<p>The men hesitated, and consulted together in +their native tongue. “I do not know what to +say,” said one, slowly, and began to follow Larry +along the highway. Seeing this, the other came, +too.</p> +<p>Suddenly a loud shout came to them from a +thicket back of some nipa huts, and instantly a +band of insurgents burst into view, armed with +guns and bolos. They were firing as they retreated, +and made a stand on the opposite side of the road.</p> +<p>“José Lupez!” cried one of the officers of the +rebels, addressing one of the two Spaniards. +“What do you here?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span></div> +<p>“And have I no right here?” asked the Spaniard, +sharply.</p> +<p>“Who is that with you?”</p> +<p>“My brother, Benedicto, from Manila, who was +visiting me.”</p> +<p>“He has betrayed us into the hands of the <i>Americanos</i>! +If he—”</p> +<p>The rest of the sentence was drown out in a +volley of musketry, and two rebels were seen to fall. +Some started to run, but others held their ground.</p> +<p>Larry listened in amazement. He had heard the +names José Lupez and Benedicto, and knew that +the two Spaniards were brothers. Could this Spaniard, +Benedicto Lupez, be the man who had made off +with the money Braxton Bogg had stolen from the +Hearthstone Saving Institution?</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII_A_PRISONER_OF_THE_FILIPINOS' id='CHAPTER_VIII_A_PRISONER_OF_THE_FILIPINOS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>A PRISONER OF THE FILIPINOS</h3> +</div> +<p>Larry had retreated to a small nipa hut standing +close to the roadway, feeling that if the Americans +were coming in that direction, they would soon be at +hand to give Luke and himself aid.</p> +<p>While the insurgents and the Spaniards were conversing, +the latter had approached the hut, and now +both followed the young sailor inside.</p> +<p>“Is your name Benedicto Lupez?” demanded +Larry, approaching the taller of the pair.</p> +<p>“Yes,” was the short response.</p> +<p>“Then you are from Manila—you ran away from +there about two weeks ago?”</p> +<p>“Ha! what do you know of that?” demanded +the Spaniard, eying Larry darkly.</p> +<p>“I know a good deal about you,” answered the +youth, boldly. “After Braxton Bogg was arrested +you made off with the money he had left at your +residence.”</p> +<p>“’Tis false!” roared the Spaniard, but his face +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +blanched even as he spoke. “I know nothing of +that man or his money. I—I was deceived in +him.”</p> +<p>“If that is so, why did you leave Manila in such +a hurry?”</p> +<p>“I—I wanted to help my brother, who was in +trouble. I have not seen a dollar of Bogg’s money. +’Tis he who still owes me for his board, black +wretch that he was!” roared Benedicto Lupez, +savagely.</p> +<p>At these words Larry was startled. Was Lupez +really telling the truth, and if so, where was the +money that had wrecked the saving institution?</p> +<p>“He didn’t even pay his board?”</p> +<p>“Not one piaster, boy,—nothing. And I thought +him honest, or I would not have taken him in.”</p> +<p>“But his valise is gone, and the bands around the +money—”</p> +<p>“Were as he left them. I can swear I touched +absolutely nothing,” answered Benedicto Lupez, +earnestly.</p> +<p>Larry was nonplussed. Had the Spaniard looked +less of a villain, the young sailor would have been +inclined to believe him. But that face was so crafty +and calculating that he still hesitated.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span></div> +<p>“Well, if you are innocent, you will not object to +helping me rejoin our soldiers,” he ventured.</p> +<p>“I want nothing to do with the <i>Americanos</i>,—they +mean to get me into trouble, even though I am +innocent,” growled Benedicto Lupez. “Come, José, +we will go,” he added to his brother, in their native +language.</p> +<p>His brother was already at the doorway. The +shouting and firing outside was increasing. Leaping +forward, Larry caught Benedicto Lupez by the +arm.</p> +<p>“You’ll stay here,” he began, when the Spaniard +let out a heavy blow which hurled the young sailor +flat.</p> +<p>“I will not be held by a boy!” cried the man. +“Let go, do you hear?” For Larry had caught him +by the foot. The boy’s hold was good, and in a trice +Benedicto Lupez lay flat on his back. Then he rolled +over and over and a fierce tussle ensued, which came +to a sudden end when José Lupez leaped forward +and kicked Larry in the head, rendering him partly +unconscious.</p> +<p>What followed was more like a dream than reality +to the bruised youth. He heard a confused murmur +of voices and a dozen or more shots, and then, as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +Benedicto Lupez and his brother ran off, several rebels +swarmed into the hut, one stumbling over the lad’s +form and pitching headlong. This insurgent was +about to knife Larry when he saw that the young +sailor’s eyes were closed, and that he was bleeding +about the head.</p> +<p>“<i>Un Americano</i>, and wounded,” he said, speaking +in the Tagalog dialect. “If he lives, he may make +us a useful prisoner;” and a few minutes later Larry +felt himself picked up and borne away, first in a +man’s arms and then on horseback. He tried to +“locate” himself, but when he opened his eyes all +went swimming before them, and he was glad enough +to sink back once more and shut out the swirling +sight.</p> +<p>On and on, and still on went the rebels, some on +foot and a few on their steeds. In front were a few +wagons and caribao carts piled high with camping +outfits, and also one or two light guns—all that had +been saved from the garrison. General Lawton’s +attack had been a brilliant success, and Santa Cruz +itself had surrendered with hardly the loss of a man +to the Americans. The troops coming in did their +best to round up the insurgents, but they had scattered +in all directions and only a few were caught, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +and these swore that they were <i>amigos</i>, or friends, +and had to be given their liberty. This pretending +to be friends after they were routed was a great trick +with thousands of the natives. They would come +into the American camp under the pretext that they +had just escaped from the insurgents who had threatened +to kill them if they would not join Aguinaldo’s +forces. What to do with such people was one of the +most difficult problems of the rebellion. They could +not be placed under arrest, and yet that is what nine +out of ten deserved.</p> +<p>When Larry was once more himself he found that +it was night. He was in a heap in a large casco +which several Tagals were propelling with all speed +across the Laguna de Bay. There were several +other cascos in front and behind, all filled with +natives with guns. The entire procession moved +along in almost utter silence.</p> +<p>The youth wanted to know where he was being +taken, but no sooner did he open his mouth than one +of the soldiers clapped a dirty hand over it and commanded +him to be silent. As the soldier carried a +bolo in his hand, Larry considered “discretion the +better part of valor,” and for the time being, held +his peace.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></div> +<p>A swarm of mosquitoes soon told the boy that +they were approaching a marsh, and presently the +casco ran in between the reeds and under some high, +overhanging tropical bushes. Then those on board +leaped ashore, and the youth was made to follow +them.</p> +<p>A weary tramp over the marsh and then up a high +hill followed. The hill was covered with wild plantains, +monstrous ferns, and a species of cedar tree, +all thickly interlaced with the ever present tropical +vines, which crossed and recrossed the tortuous path +the party was following. Overhead the stars shone +down dimly, while the forest was filled with the +cries of the birds, the chattering of an occasional +monkey, and the constant drone and chirp of the +innumerable insects. The path was uneven, and +more than once Larry pitched into a hollow along +with the Tagal who accompanied him and who never +let go his hold on the youthful prisoner.</p> +<p>At last they came to a halt before a series of rocks. +Here there was a rude cave, partly concealed by +bushes. As the party halted, several natives came +from the cave to give them welcome. There was no +doubt but that this was a rendezvous well known to +the insurgents.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></div> +<p>“A prisoner is it?” said one of the natives, coming +forward and holding up a torch of pitch. “A mere +boy. Bah, Lanza, cannot you do better?”</p> +<p>“He was with the soldiers who took Santa Cruz, +and he wears the cap from a warship,” replied Lanza. +“It may be we can get more out of him than out of +somebody older.”</p> +<p>“Well, perhaps; but I would rather you had +brought in a man,” was the brief response.</p> +<p>The conversation was in the Tagalog dialect, and +consequently Larry did not understand a word of it. +The boy was made to march into the cave, which he +found to be much larger than he expected. It was +fully forty feet broad by sixty feet deep, and at the +farther end a bright fire was burning, the blaze +mounting high up in a natural chimney and rendering +the surroundings as light almost as day.</p> +<p>On coming to his senses, the youth’s hands had +been bound behind him, and now he was made to sit +down with his back against a fair-sized tree trunk +which had been dragged into the cave for firewood. +A rope was passed around the log and this in turn +was fastened to the cord about his wrists, thus making +him a close prisoner.</p> +<p>For several hours the rebels paid but scant attention +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +to him, further than to furnish him a bowl of rice +“pap,” from which he might sup while it was held +to his lips. They also gave him a drink of water, +and one young rebel considerately washed the wound +on his head, on which the blood had dried, presenting +anything but a pleasant sight.</p> +<p>As the hours went by the rebels around the cave +kept increasing in numbers until there were several +hundred all told. Those who came in last told of +the complete downfall of Santa Cruz, but none of +them had the least idea of what the Americans were +going to do next. “Perhaps they will follow us to +here,” said one, grimly.</p> +<p>“No, they know better than to follow us into the +jungles and mountains,” said the leader, Fipile. “If +they did that, we could shoot them down like so many +monkeys.” They had still to learn the true character +of the tireless general who had now taken up their +trail, and who knew no such words as fear or failure.</p> +<p>It was well toward noon of the day following +when Captain Fipile came in to have a talk with +Larry. He spoke English remarkably well, for he +had spent several years of his life in San Francisco, +and in Hong Kong among the English located at +that port.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span></div> +<p>“Your name, my boy,” he said, sitting down +beside the young tar. And when Larry had given +it, he continued, “You were with the American +troops who carried Santa Cruz?”</p> +<p>“I was, sir, although I got into the city before +they did.”</p> +<p>“Indeed, and how was that?” questioned the +Filipino leader, and Larry told as much of his story +as he deemed necessary.</p> +<p>To the tale Captain Fipile listened with interest, +even smiling when Larry told how he had broken +out of the prison. “You did wonderfully well for +a boy,” he remarked. “A man could not have done +more. What became of your friend?”</p> +<p>“I left him at the warehouse. I hope he rejoined +the soldiers.”</p> +<p>“And what of Señors Benedicto and José Lupez?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what became of them.”</p> +<p>“I know this José Lupez fairly well, and I always +thought him an honest man.” Captain Fipile stroked +his chin thoughtfully. “We are fighting you Americans, +it is true, but we would not wish to shelter a +thief who had run away from among you. We are +above that, even though a good many of your countrymen +will not give us credit for it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span></div> +<p>“We know that some of the Filipinos are honest +enough,” said Larry, hesitatingly. “What do you +intend to do with me?” he went on, after a pause.</p> +<p>“That remains to be seen. Would you like to +join our army?”</p> +<p>“Me? No, sir!” cried the youth, promptly.</p> +<p>Captain Fipile laughed outright. “You are honest +enough about it, I must say. How about giving us +a little information? Will you object to that?”</p> +<p>“I have given you considerable information +already.”</p> +<p>“I mean military information.”</p> +<p>“I haven’t anything to say on that point.”</p> +<p>“Can’t I persuade you to tell me what you may +happen to know?”</p> +<p>“No, sir.”</p> +<p>“If I can get you to talk, it may go much easier +with you while you remain our prisoner,” went on +the captain, suggestively.</p> +<p>“I’m sorry, but I haven’t anything to say.”</p> +<p>“Very well, then, Master Russell, if you are rather +harshly treated in the future, remember you have +only yourself to blame. As a general rule, we take +prisoners only for the purpose of squeezing what +information we can out of them.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span></div> +<p>And thus speaking, Captain Fipile arose and +quitted the cave, leaving Larry to his own reflections, +which were more dismal than they were +encouraging.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX_THE_ADVANCE_INTO_THE_JUNGLE' id='CHAPTER_IX_THE_ADVANCE_INTO_THE_JUNGLE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>THE ADVANCE INTO THE JUNGLE</h3> +</div> +<p>Santa Cruz had been taken, but there was +still much to do around the shores of the Laguna +de Bay to make it safe territory for the Americans +to hold. From the city the rebels were pursued +eastward, and a number of cascos and larger boats +were captured. Inside of a few days Paete, Longos, +Lumban, and several other villages, were +visited by detachments of General Lawton’s command, +and the insurgents fled in each instance, +leaving all behind them. Nearly a hundred who +stopped to fight were either killed or wounded, +and victory was entirely upon the side of the +Americans.</p> +<p>But now it was learned that the forces under +General Aguinaldo and General Luna were concentrating +once more to the north and east of +Malolos, and much as he regretted the necessity, +General Otis was compelled to order General Lawton +and his command back to the territory above +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +Manila. No garrisons could be spared for Santa +Cruz, or the other places captured, so these settlements +were allowed to fall once more into the hands +of the enemy, after all the fortifications had been +destroyed and the arms and munitions of war confiscated. +It seemed a pity to leave these towns +and villages after having once taken them, but to +garrison them properly would, according to General +Lawton’s estimate, have taken thousands of +soldiers.</p> +<p>With the taking of Santa Cruz, the Americans +marched through all the streets and by-ways, looking +for lurking rebels and hidden arms, and in +this search a squad of infantry came upon Luke +Striker, who had propped himself up on the sacking +in the warehouse and was making himself as +comfortable as possible.</p> +<p>“Hullo, sailor,” cried the sergeant in charge of +the squad. “Where did you come from?”</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_4' id='linki_4'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus096.jpg' alt='' title='' width='335' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“Hullo, sailor, where did you come from?”—<i>Page 82.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>Luke’s story was quickly told, and he begged +the soldier to look for Larry, fearing that serious +harm had befallen the lad. At once two soldiers +were detailed to care for the old Yankee, while +the rest went on a hunt which lasted far into the +night.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span></div> +<p>As we know, nothing was seen of Larry; but +from a wounded and dying Filipino, the soldiers +learned that the boy had been taken a prisoner, +and must now be many miles away from the city. +News of this reached Luke while he was in the +temporary hospital opened up after the first fight, +and the information made the old fellow feel as +bad as did his wound.</p> +<p>“If they’ve captured him, he’s a goner, I’m +afraid,” he said to Jack Biddle, who had come +in to help look after his messmate. “Poor Larry! +What will his brother Ben say, when he hears of +it?”</p> +<p>“Better not tell him right away,” suggested +Biddle. “Give him a chance to get strong fust. +Besides, Larry may give ’em the slip. He’s putty +cute, ye know.”</p> +<p>The news soon spread that Larry and several +others were missing, and a description of the absent +ones was given out. The next day one of the +missing soldiers was found dead in the jungle, but +nothing was learned of the others.</p> +<p>“It serves the young sailor right,” growled Lieutenant +Horitz. “He knew too much for his own +good.” He had not forgotten the disaster on the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +river, and secretly he wished Larry all manner of +ill-luck. During the rush through the woods the +Lieutenant had tumbled and struck his nose on a +stone. That member was much swollen and cut +in consequence, and this put him in a worse humor +than ever before.</p> +<p>By the time the expedition was to return to +Manila, Luke was able to walk around again, and +he was put on one of the larger boats and Jack +Biddle was detailed to look after him. The return +to Manila was made without special incident, and +two days later found Luke on board the <i>Olympia</i> +among all his old friends.</p> +<p>But the Yankee tar was thoroughly out of sorts. +“I wouldn’t care for the wound at all, if only I +knew Larry was safe,” he was wont to say a dozen +times a day. Barrow, Castleton, and all the boy’s +old friends were likewise troubled because of his +strange disappearance.</p> +<p>It was Jack Biddle who got shore leave and +travelled up to Malolos to break the news to Ben. +He found the acting captain of Company D just +preparing to take his place in the command once +more.</p> +<p>“I’m glad to see you lookin’ well, leftenant,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +he said, after shaking hands warmly. “Ye look +almost as healthy as ye did on the voyage from +Brooklyn to Manila.”</p> +<p>“And I feel almost as well,” replied Ben. “The +rest has done me a world of good. But what +brought you up, Jack? Did Larry come with +you?”</p> +<p>“No, Larry didn’t come,” stammered the old tar, +and looked down at the floor. “Fact is, leftenant, +Larry—he—he couldn’t come.”</p> +<p>“Couldn’t come? Why, what’s the matter?” +cried Ben, quickly. “Is he sick?”</p> +<p>“I reckon not—leas’wise, I don’t know. Fact +is, leftenant, none on us know. Ye see, he went +upon thet Santa Cruz expedition—”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes, I know that. And what of it? Was +he—was he—” Ben could not utter the words +which came to his mind.</p> +<p>“No, he wasn’t shot, thet is, so far as we know. +But he’s—well, he’s missin’, an’ we can’t find hide +nor hair o’ him anywhere. I might ez well tell +ye fust ez last, though it cuts my heart to do +it, leftenant.” And Jack Biddle shook his head +dubiously.</p> +<p>It was a great shock to Ben, yet he stood it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +better than the old tar had expected. He asked +immediately for details, and though he drank in +every word his manner showed that his thoughts +were far away.</p> +<p>“I wish I had been along,” he said bitterly. +“If he wasn’t killed, the Filipinos must have carried +him off a pretty good distance. I wonder if +General Lawton tried to find out anything under +a flag of truce.”</p> +<p>“Everything that could be done was done—I +have Captain Gaston’s word on that,” answered +Jack Biddle. Captain Gaston and Ben were well +known to each other.</p> +<p>Ben sank down on a bench, and for several +minutes said not a word, but the tears stood in +his eyes, tears which he hastily dried that nobody +might see them. Then Gilbert Pennington came +in, to tell him that the regiment was ordered to +move within the hour.</p> +<p>“It’s too bad!” declared the young Southerner. +“But brace up, Ben, ‘While there is life there is +hope,’ and it’s a pretty sure thing that he wasn’t +killed.” And with this ray of comfort Ben had +to be content.</p> +<p>During the days that General Lawton had been +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +in the vicinity of the Laguna de Bay, the regiment +to which Ben and Gilbert belonged had not been +idle. With a number of other troops they started +for the town of Santa Maria, where they came +upon the enemy and dislodged them with shells. +The town, already in flames, was allowed to burn, +and the Americans pursued the rebels quite a distance +into the mountains, but failed to catch +them.</p> +<p>In the meantime the camp of the Third Artillery, +situated some distance to the west of Malolos, was +attacked. A fierce engagement in the swamps +took place, and in the end the rebels were driven +northward and began then to concentrate at Tarlac, +which soon became one of their new capitals—they +shifting the seat of government as often +as it suited their convenience.</p> +<p>It was now felt by General Otis and others in +command that no time should be lost in an endeavor +to round up the insurgents to the north +of Malolos, who were the main support of the +rebellion, although scattering bands were still +operating to the south and southeast. The rainy +season was but a few weeks off, and once this set +in military operations would be much retarded, if +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +not stopped altogether, for, taken as a whole, the +roads throughout the Island of Luzon are bad, and +heavy rains render them well-nigh impassable.</p> +<p>In order to make the campaign against the +rebels as effective as possible, General Otis decided +to send out two columns, one under General +MacArthur to strike out for Calumpit, and the +second, under General Lawton, to take a route +to the eastward, along the base of the hills leading +to San Isidro. By this it was hoped, if the rebels +at Calumpit were defeated and tried to take to +the mountains, they would fall directly into Lawton’s +hands, and not only have to surrender but +also give up all their war supplies.</p> +<p>It was in the furtherance of this plan that General +Lawton left Manila with his brigade and struck +out for Novaliches which was gained after a small +skirmish at Tuliahan River. From here the column +moved to Norzagaray to await reënforcements +which were coming in from Malolos and vicinity. +To these reënforcements belonged the command to +which Ben and Gilbert were attached.</p> +<p>It had begun to rain, and those who understood +tropical weather predicted that the wet season was +at hand. Yet it was very hot, and the water +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +which fell arose in clouds of steam on the road, +rendering marching anything but comfortable.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ it makes a man feel as if he was +takin’ a stame bath, so it does,” remarked Dan +Casey, as he swung along on the route step. “I +don’t know as I iver see it rain hot wather before, +bedad,” he added, as he wiped the perspiration +from his sadly freckled face.</p> +<p>During the day’s march, which was trying to +everybody, Ben was silent, wondering what had +become of Larry and if he would ever again see his +younger brother. When the command went into +camp under the shelter of a grove of tall trees, both +Gilbert and Major Morris visited his tent to +comfort him.</p> +<p>“He is not the only one who is missing,” remarked +the major of the first battalion. “So far I understand +the warships have lost about a dozen men who +went ashore and failed to return. And you know +there are six men missing from our own regiment.”</p> +<p>“That is true, major,” was the acting captain’s +answer. “But it’s only when it’s a close relative +that the blow really comes home to one, you +know.”</p> +<p>“I suppose that is true, captain. But don’t be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +disheartened. It may be that your brother is already +back at Manila.”</p> +<p>“I can’t see what the rebels would do with him +as a prisoner,” said Gilbert. “They have to move +around so lively that I can’t see what they want +with prisoners anyway.”</p> +<p>And so the talk ran on until it came time to retire. +That night Ben slept but little, and it was not the +rain or the aching of his wound that kept him awake +either. He was bound to think of Larry constantly +until something was heard of the missing lad.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_X_THE_TAKING_OF_ANGAT' id='CHAPTER_X_THE_TAKING_OF_ANGAT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>THE TAKING OF ANGAT</h3> +</div> +<p>“We are out for a fight to-day.”</p> +<p>It was Sergeant Gilmore who spoke, and he +addressed Ben. The sergeant was still acting as +first lieutenant of Company D, and it looked as if he +might hold the position permanently. As for Ben, +it was settled that he would be appointed permanent +captain of the command as soon as the necessary +papers could be made out.</p> +<p>The regiment had joined General Lawton’s command +and was now in the vicinity of Angat, a pretty +town, full of quaint buildings, and a place which, as +yet, the rebellion had scarcely touched. But the +insurgents had been developed in force by the sharpshooters +in front, and now a constant rattle of +musketry was heard, which made Ben’s blood tingle +as of old, when the cry had been, “On to Santiago!” +and “On to Malolos!”</p> +<p>“Yes, you are right, Gilmore,” answered the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +young captain. “And I am not sorry. It will help +us to forget the rain and our other discomforts.” +Ben did not say it would help him to forget about +Larry, but that is what he meant.</p> +<p>The regiment was soon advancing on the double-quick. +It was spread out in skirmish order, and the +route lay over what had once been a rice-field, but +which was but little more than a sheet of dirty +water four to eight inches deep. Here and there +were holes, and into these some of the soldiers would +sometimes step, thus getting an involuntary bath, +much to their disgust.</p> +<p>“It ain’t all a picnic,” remarked one of the unfortunates, +as he leaped up out of a hole and shook +himself like a big dog. “Folks at home as just +read the newspaper accounts of the war don’t know +anything of what us fellows have to put up with. +All they think we do is to rush forward, kill the +enemy, and cover ourselves with glory. I’ll wager +some of ’em would put on a mighty sour face if they +had to tramp ten or twenty miles in the mud and +wet, carry a gun and other luggage, and hardly +knowing when the next meal was going to turn up +and what it was going to amount to.”</p> +<p>“Oh, you’ve got ’em bad, Bradner!” shouted a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +comrade. “Here, light my pipe and take a smoke. +It will dry off your nose if nothing else.” And +Bradner took the pipe and was thankful that tobacco, +at least, was still forthcoming.</p> +<p>Half an hour later Ben received orders to take his +company up to the firing line, and away went the +command on the double-quick, with the young +captain at the head. The rain had let up a bit, and +the rebels could be seen making a stand behind a +grove of half-wild plantains, where were located a +score of nipa huts.</p> +<p>“Run them out, boys!” shouted Ben, as they +drew closer. “If we go at them with a rush we’ll +soon have them on the run!” And on swept the +company, with orders to fire at will. Soon there +was a constant cracking of rifles, and Ben and the +other officers joined in with their pistols. The +insurgents fired in return, and one man of the +company fell back, hit in the arm.</p> +<p>Just before the grove was gained there was +a brook to cross. This was much swollen, and +here a number of the soldiers came to a halt, +fearing that fording was out of the question.</p> +<p>“Don’t stop!” came in a loud cry from Major +Morris. “You can leap the stream easily enough. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +Come, I’m going!” And over he went with +a bound, and a score of soldiers followed. A raking +fire came from the nipa huts, but now the +rebels were seen to be fleeing. The Americans +answered the fire with volley after volley from +their own guns, and the huts were surrounded as +quickly as possible.</p> +<p>“Captain Russell, you will take the trail to the +left,” said an orderly, dashing up. “Major Morris +will rejoin you at the fork in the road.”</p> +<p>“The trail to the left,” repeated Ben, and +turned to his company. “Forward, boys,—left +oblique!” he shouted, and on they went again, +past the nipa huts and down a trail leading along +the edge of a rich plantation. Several more huts +were passed, but the inmates were nothing but +women and children, and offered no resistance. +Then at a distance could be seen a stone wall, as +if the insurgents had endeavored to construct a +rude fortification in a great hurry.</p> +<p>The company was going at the stone wall pell-mell +when Ben called a sudden halt. “To the +right, boys, and come at the end of the wall,” +were his orders, and the command swept around +as desired.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></div> +<p>Bang! The report was hardly expected, and +with it half a dozen of the stones composing the +rude fortification gave way, disclosing a cannon +made of a bored-out tree-trunk, wound round and +round with telegraph wire stolen from the lines +along the railroad. This wooden cannon had been +heavily charged with cartridges, old nails, and +bits of iron, and the first discharge rent the mouth +into a dozen pieces.</p> +<p>“That was a narrow shave!” cried Gilmore, as +he and Ben looked around, to find all the company +unharmed. “Who ever supposed the rascals +would put up such a job as that on us?”</p> +<p>“They’ll do anything,” replied the young captain. +“But that isn’t a new idea. Wooden cannons +were used in the Civil War, so I’ve been +told.”</p> +<p>With the discharge of the wooden gun, the +rebels concealed behind the stone fortification had +fled. The Americans now made after them, more +“hot-footed” than ever, and the incessant crack +of firearms was followed by many a groan and +yell of pain as over a dozen Filipinos went down, +three to their death.</p> +<p>At the fork mentioned by Major Morris, Ben +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +brought his company to a halt. All were panting +for breath, for the brush at close quarters had put +them on their mettle. The rest of the battalion +soon came up, and the other battalions followed, +from another road, and then the regiment, with +the other troops, pushed on into Angat.</p> +<p>Much to the astonishment of all, the beautiful +town, with its century-old churches and quaint government +buildings, was found practically deserted. +The only inhabitants left were a few women and +a handful of aged men, all of whom said they +would do anything for the <i>Americanos</i> if they were +spared their lives. These frightened people were +soon put at ease, and then an inspection of the +captured place was instituted.</p> +<p>In various places, such as the vaults of convents +and government buildings, huge quantities of +<i>pilai</i>, that is, unhulled rice, were found. Some +of the rice was confiscated for army use, and a +large quantity was distributed to the natives who +gradually drifted in, saying they wanted to be +friendly, and that they were starving.</p> +<p>“It may be that the rice we give away may go +to the rebels,” said the general in command. “But +we can’t let these poor wretches starve, war or no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +war;” and so the bags were given out until very +little remained.</p> +<p>It was not General Lawton’s intention to quarter +at Angat for any length of time, and, having +entered the town in the morning, he left it in the +afternoon, to begin an advance up the river the +next day, striking San Rafael on the right bank +and Muronco on the left bank.</p> +<p>“Somebody has set Angat on fire!” exclaimed +Ben, as the regiment marched away. A thick +column of smoke had suddenly risen from the +upper end of the town.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe it was our men,” answered +Major Morris, who walked beside the young captain. +“They had strict orders not to loot or +burn.”</p> +<p>The flames speedily increased, as one nipa hut +after another caught, and the warehouses added to +the blaze. The Americans always thought the +rebels started this conflagration, while the insurgents +laid the crime at our door. However it +was, Angat burned fiercely, and by nightfall little +remained of its many picturesque buildings.</p> +<p>The weather was beginning to tell upon the +troops, and out of Ben’s regiment fully forty men +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +were on the sick list, with either colds or tropical +fever, and these had to be sent back to a sick +camp. The balance of the command, it was decided, +should join the troops that were to attack +San Rafael.</p> +<p>As before, the sharpshooters were in front, while +the infantry were escorted by Scott’s battery, who, +as soon as the enemy’s firing line was located, +began to pour in a hot fire of shrapnel, much to +the latter’s discomfiture. Then Ben’s regiment +went into action once more, the young captain’s +company on the edge of some heavy brush.</p> +<p>The sharp clip, clip of Mauser bullets made unpleasant +music as the soldier boys rushed through the +thickets, to surprise not a few Filipinos who were +in hiding, and who imagined that the Americans +would pass them by unnoticed. Once Ben came +upon a man lying on his face in a mass of tall +grass, every part of his body concealed but his +back.</p> +<p>“Can he be dead?” thought the young captain, +when of a sudden the native leaped up like lightning +and darted behind the nearest bushes before +anybody could stop him. Half a dozen soldiers +fired on him, and he fired in return, but none of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +the shots took effect; and Ben could not but +think that the poor creature had earned his escape. +“For ten chances to one he doesn’t know +what he is fighting about,” he said to Gilmore.</p> +<p>“Right you are,” answered the lieutenant. “I +believe if we could corral the whole crowd and +explain the true situation to them, they would +throw down their arms without hesitation. It is +only the leaders who are keeping this rebellion +alive.”</p> +<p>Over near the battery just mentioned stood General +Lawton, tall and erect, directing every movement, +without a single thought of personal danger. +Many a shot was directed at him, but he seemed +to bear a charmed life.</p> +<p>“San Rafael will soon be ours,” said one of the +officers of the staff. “See, the enemy are retreating!” +he cried enthusiastically.</p> +<p>At that moment an orderly dashed up, carrying +an order from General Otis. The order read that +the column must rest at Angat until supplies could +be forwarded from Malolos. A shadow fell over +the commando’s face. Another victory was at +hand—but orders were orders, and must be obeyed. +Slowly the retreat was sounded, and the insurgents +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +were left in possession of the field. They thought +the Americans were being forced back on account +of a heavy loss, and went almost wild with delight, +proclaiming the encounter a great victory for the +Filipino cause.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI_THE_CROSSING_OF_THE_RIO_GRANDE_RIVER' id='CHAPTER_XI_THE_CROSSING_OF_THE_RIO_GRANDE_RIVER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>THE CROSSING OF THE RIO GRANDE RIVER</h3> +</div> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Orders from general headquarters,” replied the +major, in a low tone. “I fancy the staff is pretty +angry, too,” he added.</p> +<p>“We could have whipped them with ease.”</p> +<p>“So we could, captain, but—” And Major +Morris finished with a shrug of his shoulders +which meant a good deal.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Well, we’re ordered back to Angat, and that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +is all there is to it. The army must have supplies, +you know.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“And how do you feel?” asked Gilbert, as he +came up to see Ben. “Does the wound hurt still?”</p> +<p>“It itches, that’s all,” answered Ben. “But this +retreat—”</p> +<p>“Makes one feel sore all over, doesn’t it?” finished +the young Southerner. “I must say I don’t +understand it at all. If we are going to round up +any of these rebels, we can’t do it by falling back +and waiting for supplies.”</p> +<p>Impatient as they were, however, the troops had +to wait for two days before another movement +was made. During this time supplies were hurried +forward in large quantities, that there might be +no more delays in the future.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span></div> +<p>In the meantime the troops under General MacArthur +were by no means idle. They consisted +of two brigades, that of General Hale on the right +wing, and that of General Wheaton on the left +wing. Of these troops the first advance was by +some men of the Fourth Cavalry, who went forward +to reconnoitre the enemy’s position near +Quingua. The start was made during the early +morning, and before long the insurgents opened a +heavy fire which the Americans returned with difficulty, +as the rebels were well concealed by the +tall grass and their intrenchments. To aid the +cavalry a number of other troops were hurried +forward, also several field-pieces; and in the end +the Filipinos were forced from their position, with +a heavy loss. In this battle the Americans lost +six killed and forty wounded. Among the killed +was Colonel Stotsenburg, commanding the First +Nebraska Volunteers, who, after most gallantly +leading his men, was shot down in the final rush +upon the enemy’s earthworks.</p> +<p>From Quingua the whole of General Hale’s brigade +moved down the Quingua River to Pulilan. +Here no resistance was encountered, and after a +brief rest the brigade pushed on toward Logundi. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +That town was not yet reached when the advance +guard reported a breastwork across the main road, +running to the river on the west and into the jungle +on the east.</p> +<p>“Never mind, we’ll go ahead anyhow!” shouted +the soldiers of the Nebraska regiment; and go ahead +they did, with the South Dakota and Iowa troops +beside them, and several guns of the Sixth Artillery +protecting their advance. The fight at the earthworks +was a fierce one, some of the Filipinos refusing +to surrender even when they knew they were +beaten; and as a consequence many of them were +slain whose lives might otherwise have been spared +to them.</p> +<p>A short distance to the northwest of Logundi, the +Quingua and the Bagbag rivers join in flowing into +the Calumpit. The railroad crosses the Bagbag but +a short distance away, and at this point General +Hale’s command reunited with that of General +Wheaton, which had come up along the tracks from +Malolos without difficulty. General Wheaton had +with him the troops from Montana and Kansas, +some Utah artillery, and one or two other commands, +along with two armored cars, fitted out with +Gatling and Hotchkiss guns and six-pounders.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></div> +<p>It was soon discovered that the rebels had built +strong breastworks in a semicircle along the north +bank of the Bagbag and the western bank of the +Calumpit Rivers, and had injured the railroad track +for a distance of several hundred yards, and also the +bridge spanning the river. As the approach to both +rivers was largely an open one, how to dislodge the +Filipinos became a serious problem.</p> +<p>“Forward with the armored cars!” was the cry, +and they were rushed ahead as far as the torn-up +condition of the railroad tracks admitted. A cannonading +lasting for half an hour followed, in which +one of the batteries on the highway also took part. +The aim of the gunners was good, and soon the +insurgents were seen to be pouring from the +trenches, which were getting too hot to hold them. +Yet a fair number held their ground, and when the +troops on foot advanced they opened a blistering +fire which laid not a few Americans low. But the +victory was ours, and soon the followers of Old +Glory were wading or swimming the river, while +the engineering corps set to work to repair the +damage done to railroad and bridge, so that the +armored and baggage cars might pass through.</p> +<p>The cry was now, “On to Calumpit!” which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +town lies on the Calumpit River, and is divided into +two parts by another stream, called the Rio Grande. +It was found that the insurgents had practically +deserted the lower half of the town, but had intrenchments +on the upper bank of the Rio Grande +which were even more formidable than those taken +on the Bagbag. Here the rebels had also a Maxim +and other guns, and it seemed as if for once the +advance of the Americans was thoroughly blocked. +Numerous good positions along the south bank of +the river were held by our troops, but it looked as +if they could not get over the stream without a +tremendous loss of life.</p> +<p>It is said that the opportunity makes the man, +and in this instance the saying proved a true one. +With the soldiers under General Wheaton were the +Twentieth Kansas Volunteers, who had already +made a record for themselves at Malolos and elsewhere, +as related in a previous volume of this +series. They were commanded by Colonel Frederick +Funston, a man comparatively young in years +and small in stature, but one who was daring to the +last degree, and who had seen much of fighting and +hardships during his adventurous existence. In +Cuba, Funston had fought most valiantly under +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span> +Garcia for Cuban liberty long before any interference +by the United States.</p> +<p>To Colonel, afterward Brigadier General, Funston +belongs the honor of the passage of the Rio Grande, +for it was he who planned what was done, and he +and a score of his fighting Kansans who carried it +out. The daring of the scheme is one which will +live long in American history.</p> +<p>As before mentioned, the bridge was partly +broken, but enough remained for the passage of soldiers +who could climb from one iron cross-section to +another. At first it was hoped that a body might +go over the bridge in the dark, raise a great commotion, +and cause the Filipinos a panic. This scheme +was tried, but it failed; for the enemy was on strict +guard, and would have shot down the men as rapidly +as they appeared on the bridge.</p> +<p>Colonel Funston then proposed to go down the +river bank for a considerable distance, build rafts, +and, by means of a stout rope, ferry some of the best +of his men across the stream in the dark. The +landing of the men was to be covered by the heaviest +possible fire from the American side, and, as soon +as they were safe ashore, the Kansas soldiers were to +secure some position where they might enfilade the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +enemy’s trenches, that is, fire through them from +one end, so that the Filipinos might no longer find +them safe. In the meantime more troops were to +come over with all possible speed.</p> +<p>On the way down the stream the Kansas soldiers +demolished several huts, selecting the best of the +timber with which to build their rafts. The moon +was under a cloud, and it looked as if they might +get across the river without serious trouble.</p> +<p>But as the crowd were constructing their rafts +and getting their ferry rope ready for use, the moon +came out brightly; and very soon the insurgents +became suspicious and fired on the Americans, who +were forced to retreat to the nearest shelter. The +firing kept up the greater part of two hours, and at +last the plan to cross over that night was abandoned.</p> +<p>But the Kansas colonel and his gallant men had +determined to be the first into the enemy’s camp, +and once again they went to the spot previously +selected, but this time in the broad daylight, when +they might clearly see the shore opposite. No +insurgents were in sight; and, after having made +three rafts all right and tight, the rope was brought +forth, and two men, named White and Trembly, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +were asked to carry it across the stream. The soldiers +plunged into the water without delay, being +watched by hundreds of their comrades left behind. +The men were without their uniforms or weapons of +any kind.</p> +<p>Slowly the pair swam the turbulent waters of the +stream, and hardly had they gotten fifty feet from +shore when the rebels opened fire upon them, at first +a few scattering shots and then a perfect volley. +That the swimmers escaped is little short of a miracle. +But they remained untouched, and, gaining the +opposite bank, they ran forward and tied the rope’s +end to a tree-stump. In the meantime two other +soldiers started over the Rio Grande in a dugout, +but this upset and let the men into the water, and +they had to swim as had the others. But they +landed with their guns intact, and at once opened +fire at the nearest natives that showed themselves.</p> +<p>All this had happened with great rapidity, and now +the first raft was coming across the river, loaded +with Kansas soldiers officered by Colonel Funston +himself. The raft became the target for the hottest +kind of fire, and as the ferrying had to be done by +the soldiers pulling along the rope stretched from +shore to shore, the passage was as slow as it was dangerous. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +But the soldiers on the craft went over in +safety, and soon more followed, until over fifty were +on the beach fronting the enemy’s intrenchments. +Then, with a wild yelling, to give the rebels the +impression that a large body had come over, they +pushed forward to enfilade the enemy’s trenches as +first proposed.</p> +<p>But now another difficulty arose. There was a +small stream flowing into the Rio Grande near this +spot, and this had to be crossed before the fire of +the Americans could be made effective. How to +get across was a problem, as the insurgents had a +machine gun trained on the spot. This worked for +a while and then stopped; and in the lull Colonel +Funston secured a rowboat and went over with some +of his men, and the others soon followed.</p> +<p>The Filipinos were now thoroughly frightened, for +the Americans were making a great outcry down by +the railroad bridge, and they imagined that they were +to be attacked from several points at once. Some +started to run, and as soon as Colonel Funston’s men +began to rain their bullets into the long trenches, +more followed, until the enemy was in a panic. +Then the Americans began to cross the bridge and +stream in great numbers, and the Filipinos, although +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +reënforced by a body of Macabebes just at this +time, could not make an effective stand. Calumpit +was left behind, and a running fight ensued which +ended at Apalit, when a violent tropical thunderstorm +put an end to the day’s operations. It was +thought that the rebels’ headquarters would be found +at Apalit; but this had, at the last moment, been +removed to San Isidro, toward which General Lawton +was now advancing.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII_SOMETHING_ABOUT_A_POISONED_WELL' id='CHAPTER_XII_SOMETHING_ABOUT_A_POISONED_WELL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT A POISONED WELL</h3> +</div> +<p>After the rest at Angat, the taking of San Rafael +by General Lawton’s troops was an easy matter, and +on May 1—the anniversary of Admiral Dewey’s +great victory in Manila Bay—the soldiers set out for +the town of Baliuag, five miles to the northward.</p> +<p>In spite of the recent rain, the road was hard and +even dusty in spots. The heat was still as great as +ever, and Ben was glad to take the benefit of any +shade that afforded itself as he marched along at the +head of his command. The date made him think +of the battle just mentioned, and this brought him +around to Larry once more, and he began to wonder +if his brother would ever turn up again.</p> +<p>“I suppose I’ll have to write to Walter and to +Uncle Job about this,” he muttered dismally. “But +I hate to do it, especially if Larry does turn up, for +I know it will worry both of them greatly.”</p> +<p>The road was thick with palms and plantains and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +trailing plants, the latter of gorgeous colorings. +Nipa huts and bamboo cottages were numerous, but +the inmates kept themselves well hidden as the little +army passed by. In the distance were paddy-fields +and cane-brakes, and along the road were numerous +mud-holes, some of which had to be bridged over +before the artillery could pass in safety. More than +once horses and cannon got stuck, and many a shoulder +had to be put to the pieces to budge them.</p> +<p>“If there was no war, this would be a delightful +spot in which to spend a vacation,” remarked Gilbert, +who had come up for a little talk, as was his habit +when they were pushing ahead in irregular formation. +“I reckon the natives take solid comfort in +their homes.”</p> +<p>“I suppose it puts you in mind of the South at +home,” returned Ben, with a smile, “It is nice, certainly. +But I fancy this continual heat would make +one mighty lazy in time.”</p> +<p>“Well, the natives are lazy, you can easily see +that,” laughed the young Southerner. “I wish I +could get a good drink of water,” he added, a minute +later.</p> +<p>They soon came to a pretty dwelling, set in a perfect +wilderness of flowers and shrubs. Toward the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +side they made out a well, and ran forward to fill +their canteens.</p> +<p>The pair were at the well when a shrill cry from one +of the side rooms of the house attracted their attention. +Looking up, they saw a native girl waving +her hand frantically at them. The girl was nicely +dressed and evidently belonged to the better classes.</p> +<p>“We only want a drink!” shouted Ben, thinking +that the maiden might imagine they had come into +the garden to steal.</p> +<p>But the girl shouted more loudly than ever, and +waved them away from the well. “Bad! bad!” +she cried.</p> +<p>“Oh, no, we are not so bad as you think,” Gilbert +shouted back; and was about to take a drink from a +cocoanut-shell dipper which hung handy, when the +girl came out of the cottage on a run and dashed the +dipper to the ground. At the same time an evil-looking +Filipino appeared at the doorway, shook his +fist at the girl, and then suddenly ran for the barns +behind the dwelling and disappeared.</p> +<p>“I want a drink and I’m going to have it,” began +Gilbert, sternly, for he did not like the manner in +which the water had been spilt over his clothing. +“If you—”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span></div> +<p>“The well is poisoned; don’t drink, it will kill +you!” gasped the girl, in Spanish.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_5' id='linki_5'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus130.jpg' alt='' title='' width='338' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“The well is poisoned! don’t drink! it will kill you!”—<i>Page 115.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>As old readers know, Gilbert understood a little +of the language, having picked it up while on a trip +to Cuba, and also while serving as a Rough Rider in +that island. He started back and caught the maiden +by the arm.</p> +<p>“Poisoned! you are certain?” he cried.</p> +<p>“Yes, señor; my uncle put the poison in only +yesterday. He lost much at Angat, and he is very +angry at the <i>Americanos</i> in consequence. He knew +the soldiers were coming this way, and he wanted to +poison as many as he could. He put a water-barrel +down on the road full of the poisoned water, too.”</p> +<p>“Who is your uncle, the man who just ran off?”</p> +<p>“Yes, señor. But, oh, do not go after him, I pray +you!” cried the girl, in high alarm. “I would not +have spoken, but I could not see you poisoned before +my very eyes; no, not that!”</p> +<p>As quickly as he could, Gilbert translated her +words to Ben, who listened in amazement.</p> +<p>“The villain!” ejaculated the young captain. +“I’ve heard of this sort of thing being done before. +I wonder where that barrel is that she spoke about? +We must find it and empty it of its contents.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></div> +<p>Gilbert put the question to the girl, who announced +that the barrel was on another road back of the +plantation. Whether any of the soldiers had reached +it or not was a question.</p> +<p>As quickly as he could Ben reported the situation +to his superior, and received orders to divide his +company, leaving a part to guard the poisoned well +so that no Americans might drink from it, while the +rest should go and hunt up the water-barrel. Gilbert +was detailed to accompany Ben, and the girl +was given to understand that she must take the +soldiers to where the barrel had been set up.</p> +<p>At first the maiden demurred; but there was no +help for it, and the kind smiles which Gilbert and +Ben gave her were an assurance that no harm was +about to befall her. Yet she was afraid that when +the reckoning came her uncle would deal harshly +with her, and trembled violently as she moved +through the rice-fields with the two young officers +beside her.</p> +<p>The little command had nearly reached the back +road when the report of a gun rang out, coming +from the direction of a wood behind the rice-fields. +The bullet sped past Ben’s shoulder, to bury itself in +the fleshy part of one of his private’s arms.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span></div> +<p>“’Tis my uncle!” cried the girl. “Oh, he will +kill us all, I am sure of it!” And she became so +agitated that she sank down and could not go +another step.</p> +<p>Without hesitation, Ben ordered his men forward +on the run, and away went the detachment for the +spot from whence the unexpected shot had come. +As the soldiers neared the wood they beheld a Filipino +in the act of running across a small opening.</p> +<p>“That’s him, the rascal!” roared Dan Casey, and +taking a hasty aim he fired, and the rebel was seen +to plunge forward on his face. When the party +came up they found that the man had been hit in +the hip, and that the wound, while not necessarily +dangerous, was serious, and would put the fellow out +of the contest for several months.</p> +<p>“It serves him right,” said Ben. “Poisoning +drinking water is not fair fighting.”</p> +<p>The girl soon came up, crying bitterly. She +wished to remain by her uncle, but Ben made her +understand that she must point out the water-barrel +first, and after that he would have two soldiers +remove the wounded man to the cottage.</p> +<p>Ten minutes later the rear road was gained, and +here the water-barrel was found, set up on end, with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +the top knocked out. It was three-quarters full of +water, and a dozen or more soldiers were drinking +and filling their canteens.</p> +<p>“Stop drinking!” ordered Ben, when still at a +distance. “That water has been doctored and will +make you sick.” He refrained from saying the +water was poisoned for fear of creating a panic.</p> +<p>The water was at once poured out on the ground +and the barrel smashed up. Then a surgeon was +found, to whom Ben related the facts of the case. +A canteen of the water was examined, and the +surgeon decided to give the man who had drunk +the stuff an emetic. A few of the soldiers were +taken with cramps inside of an hour afterward, and +two of them were seriously sick for a week; but no +lives were lost. But if the soldiers could have got +at the Filipino who had poisoned the water, they +would have shot him on the spot.</p> +<p>As soon as the danger was over, Ben returned to +the wood, and had two men carry the wounded man +back to the cottage, where he was left in charge of his +wife and his niece. Through Gilbert it was learned +that the wife had also remonstrated against using +the poison, so it was fair to suppose that the aunt +would protect her niece to a certain degree. “But +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +she’ll have a hard time of it for doing us a service, +I’m afraid,” said the young Southerner, as he and +Ben resumed the march.</p> +<p>The scouts, under Chief Young, were in advance, +and now a steady firing from the front told that +another battle was at hand. Soon General Lawton +came dashing through the crowd on the road, followed +by his staff.</p> +<p>“Forward, boys!” was the cry, and then Ben’s +command left the road and took to the rice-fields on +the outskirts of Baliuag. The line was a long one, +with the Oregon and Minnesota soldiers forming the +skirmishing end, and Scott’s battery in a paddy-field +on the extreme right. So far the insurgents had +kept well hidden; but as the Americans drew closer +to the town they could be seen running in half a +dozen directions, as if undecided whether to fight or +to flee.</p> +<p>The townspeople themselves were in a panic, and +down the streets ran Filipinos and Chinese, some with +their household effects piled high on their backs. +They had heard of the coming of the <i>Americanos</i>, +but had hoped almost against hope that their beloved +town would be passed by unmolested.</p> +<p>Ben’s regiment was moving along rapidly when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +they came to a ditch which seemed to divide the +rice-field in half. A short pause followed, when +along came the cry of “Down!” and every man +dropped, and none too soon, for the insurgents +had opened up unexpectedly from a cane-brake +behind the rice-field.</p> +<p>“We must take that cane-brake,” came the order +from the colonel, and the word was passed along +quickly, and away went the companies with a +ringing cheer, firing as they ran, and reloading +with all possible speed.</p> +<p>Ben was now truly in his element, and, waving +his sword, he urged Company D well to the front, +so that the cane was soon reached. But the rebels +were not game for a hand-to-hand encounter and +fled once more, through the cane and over a field +of heavy grass leading to the very outskirts of the +town beyond.</p> +<p>“They are running away!” was the cry. “On +we go, boys, and the town will be ours in less +than half an hour.”</p> +<p>But now a halt was ordered, on the edge of the +cane-brake. From the outskirts of the town appeared +a Filipino waving a white rag over his +head.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span></div> +<p>“Flag of truce!” cried the American general. +“Cease firing!” And the order was instantly +obeyed. “Major Morris, you can select a detail +of three men and find out what they want.”</p> +<p>“I will, general,” answered the major of the +first battalion, and saluted. He had soon chosen +his men, one of whom was Gilbert Pennington, +and, waving a white flag before them, the party of +four advanced into the open field.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII_IN_WHICH_A_FLAG_OF_TRUCE_IS_FIRED_UPON' id='CHAPTER_XIII_IN_WHICH_A_FLAG_OF_TRUCE_IS_FIRED_UPON'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>IN WHICH A FLAG OF TRUCE IS FIRED UPON</h3> +</div> +<p>Major Morris well knew the wiliness of the +Filipinos, yet he did not doubt but that they +would pay due respect to a flag of truce which +they had themselves invited. Accordingly he advanced +boldly with his little party, until the four +had covered fully one-half of the distance which +separated the American troops from the point +where the rebels had taken a stand.</p> +<p>“He is thrustin’ thim a whole lot!” groaned +Dan Casey, who was the closest man in the ranks +to Ben. “If he gits plugged—”</p> +<p>“They won’t dare to fire, Dan,” said a companion. +“If they did—”</p> +<p>The speech was cut short by the pop of a +Mauser rifle, followed by two more pops, and the +private who carried the white flag was seen to +fling the banner down and fall headlong. In the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span> +meantime, the Filipinos who had appeared with +the white rag were running back to their own +ranks with all possible speed.</p> +<p>“They have fired on the flag of truce!” The +cry arose from a hundred throats, and then a +scattering volley rang out. At the same time the +Filipinos opened up in a body, and Major Morris, +Gilbert, and the third man were seen to pitch +into the tall grass in such a manner that they +were almost hidden from view.</p> +<p>“Gilbert is shot! And Major Morris too!” +Such was the painful thought which ran through +Ben’s brain. He looked at the colonel pleadingly.</p> +<p>“Advance at once, Captain Russell, with the +first battalion, to the rescue of the flag of truce,” +ordered the colonel, understanding him fully. +“After this, give the enemy no quarter.”</p> +<p>“Forward, men, to the rescue!” shouted the +young captain, almost before his superior had finished. +“Deploy to the left and fire at will. And +make every shot tell!” he added bitterly.</p> +<p>“Forward it is!” shouted Dan Casey. “Down +wid the haythins that don’t know the manin’ av +honor!” And he led in the rush over the long +grass.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span></div> +<p>The whole line was soon advancing, but Ben’s +company was in front, and kept there until within +a hundred feet of where the four men had gone +down. Then, to his amazement, the young captain +saw Major Morris leap up, followed by Gilbert +and the third soldier, and run with all speed +toward the American line.</p> +<p>“Not shot!” cried Ben, joyfully. “Heaven be +thanked for that!” And he almost felt like +embracing his two friends. Only the flag-bearer +had been struck, and he not seriously. The others +had gone down in the long grass to destroy the +enemy’s aim. The wounded flag-carrier was taken +to the rear, and then the whole line pushed on +with a yell which was as savage as it was loud +and long. The incident, short as it was, was not +forgotten, and when one end of the American line +closed in on the retreating insurgents the latter +fought to the last, knowing only too well that +little quarter would be given to them because of +their perfidy.</p> +<p>The long American line had swung toward Baliuag +in a semicircle, and now, when the insurgents tried +to flee by way of the north, they found themselves +confronted front and rear. This put them in more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +of a panic than ever; and had General Lawton had a +thousand additional troops, it is more than likely he +could have surrounded the rebels completely and +compelled every one in that territory to throw down +his arms.</p> +<p>But he had not the extra men, nor could he get +them. Moreover, he had hardly a decent map of +the territory, while the enemy knew every field, +every road, and every stream. They could not +make a stand at Baliuag, nor could they run in the +direction of San Rafael, so their only course was to +take to the rice-fields, the cane-brakes, and the jungle, +and this they did in short order.</p> +<p>By the time the outskirts of the town was gained +Ben’s command was almost exhausted; yet the +colonel of the regiment felt that now was no time +to rest, and company after company was sent out +in the hope that some of the scattering bands of +insurgents might be rounded up.</p> +<p>“Major Morris, you will take your four companies +up yonder road,” said the colonel, after receiving +orders from General Lawton’s orderly, and the head +of the regiment pointed out the road in question. +Soon the battalion was off on the double-quick, the +major more than eager to wipe out the treachery +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +which had been shown to him and his companions +but an hour or two before.</p> +<p>The road which the battalion followed was a winding +one, lined with cottages of the better sort, showing +that this was a fashionable outskirt of the town. +Only a few people showed themselves, and nothing +was seen or heard of the insurgents until a quarter +of a mile had been covered, and the best of the +habitations had been left behind. Then came an +unexpected fire from a cane-brake, and out dashed +fully two hundred savage-looking Tagals armed with +guns and bolos.</p> +<p>“Halt! Fire!” came the commands, and the +Americans obeyed as quickly as possible. Several +of our men had been hit, one seriously, and now half +a dozen Filipinos went down. For several minutes +the fighting was at close quarters, and it looked as if +the battalion had run into an ambush and were about +to be slaughtered.</p> +<p>“To the shelter of the trees!” shouted Ben, and +was about to guide his men when a fierce-looking +rebel officer leaped before him with drawn sword. +His own blade met that of the enemy, and both +flashed fire. But the Tagal was a fine swordsman +and kept at his work, feeling certain that he could +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +run the <i>Americano</i> through and through. Clack! +clack! went the blades, up and down, side to side, +and straight forward.</p> +<p>“Take care there!” came from Major Morris, and +just then the Tagal’s sword pricked Ben’s arm. +The young captain leaped back a step, then came +forward, and as quick as lightning his sword found +the Tagal’s ribs. At the same time Dan Casey fired +at the enemy, and the officer went down flat on his +back, shot through the breast.</p> +<p>“I had to do it,” cried the Irish volunteer. “I +thought he was afther stickin’ ye like a pig!”</p> +<p>“It was a close shave,” murmured Ben, as he +passed on. “He handled his sword like an expert. +I shan’t forget you for that, Casey.”</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ that’s all right, captain,” answered the +soldier, quickly. “Is your arm hurted much?”</p> +<p>“I guess not. Come, we’ve got them on the run +again.” And away the pair went, into the cane-brake, +through which the rebels were crashing like +so many wild cattle.</p> +<p>The day had been full of excitement, but much +more was to follow. The cane-brakes were heavy, +and soon Ben and Casey found themselves separated +from the main body of the battalion and out of sight +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +of their own company. Then several Filipinos +confronted them and called upon them to surrender.</p> +<p>“We ain’t surrenderin’ just yit, we ain’t!” howled +the Irish soldier, and let drive at the nearest rebel, +while Ben discharged his pistol. Two of the enemy +were wounded, and in an instant the others took to +their heels, evidently convinced that such fighters +were “too many” for them.</p> +<p>The encounter, however, had taken time, and now +Ben called upon his companion to stop running. +“We want to know where we are running to first,” +he said. “Listen.”</p> +<p>They listened and made out a distant firing to +both the right and the left. “I’m afther thinkin’ +our b’ys is to the right,” said Dan Casey.</p> +<p>“I believe you are right, Casey; although both +of us may be mistaken,” rejoined the young captain +of Company D. “We will try that direction, +anyway.”</p> +<p>They continued on their way through the cane-brake +until they reached a small stream. Here the +ground was soft and full of treacherous bog-holes, +and both looked at each other in dismay.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ this is more than we bargained fer, eh, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +captain?” remarked Casey, as he pulled himself out +of a hole into which he had gone almost to his knees. +“If we don’t look out we’ll git stuck so tight +there’ll be no budgin’ av us.”</p> +<p>“The ground to the right seems to be firmer,” +replied Ben. “Come, we will move in that direction.”</p> +<p>But to get out of the soft spot was not easy, and +soon they found themselves between the tall cane +and up to their knees in a muck that seemed to stick +worse than glue.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ this is fightin’ wid a vengeance,” said +the Irish volunteer, smiling grimly. “It’s sthuck +we are like flies on a fly paper, eh, Captain +Russell?”</p> +<p>“We’ve got to get out somehow, Casey,” answered +Ben, half desperately. “Our command is +marching farther and farther away, and we’ll have +all we can do to get up to them.”</p> +<p>“Sure thin, an’ Major Morris betther send a +detail back wid a long rope to pull us out. We +couldn’t fly from the inimy now if we thried, could +we?”</p> +<p>“This is no joke, Casey.”</p> +<p>“Joke, bedad? No, captain, I’m afther thinkin’ +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +it’s a mighty sarious difficulty. But there’s no use +av cryin’, no matther how bad it is,” finished the +Irish soldier, philosophically.</p> +<p>A moment of reflection convinced Ben that the +best thing he could do was to go back part of the +distance they had come, and make an endeavor to +cross the little stream at another point.</p> +<p>They retreated with difficulty, first one sinking +into some treacherous hole and then the other. +Once Casey went flat on his back, and gave a loud +yell of dismay when he found himself covered with +a mud that was more like a paste than anything +else.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ I’ll not go in such a cane-field again, +bedad,” he muttered, as he started to pick up the +gun he had dropped. As he did so a cracking of +cane-stalks near them caused both to straighten up +in alarm.</p> +<p>“Who comes?” cried Ben, and drew the pistol he +had shoved into his belt.</p> +<p>There was no answer and he repeated the demand. +“Are you Americans?” he added.</p> +<p>Still there was no reply. But the cracking of the +stalks continued, and the sounds seemed to move +around the pair in something of a circle. Then +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +came a soft command in the Tagalog dialect. At +once Dan Casey clutched Ben by the arm.</p> +<p>“They be afther surroundin’ us, captain,” he +whispered. “Be the noises there must be tin or +a dozen av thim. Phwat shall we do, fight or run +fer it?”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV_SURROUNDED_BY_THE_ENEMY' id='CHAPTER_XIV_SURROUNDED_BY_THE_ENEMY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>SURROUNDED BY THE ENEMY</h3> +</div> +<p>For the moment after Dan Casey spoke Ben was +silent, not knowing himself what was best to do. +That the Filipinos were surrounding them there +could be no doubt, since those approaching would +have answered the young captain of Company D +had they been Americans.</p> +<p>The position of the pair was dangerous in the +extreme, for the tall cane-stalks surrounded them +upon all sides, giving shelter to the enemy, while the +Tagals could see the volunteers with ease.</p> +<p>“Keep quiet, Casey,” whispered Ben, as the soldier +started to speak again. “They may not know +how many there are of us here and sneak off, fearing +an ambush.”</p> +<p>The Irish volunteer nodded to show that he +understood. He was holding his gun before him, +ready to shoot whenever it appeared necessary.</p> +<p>Presently there was another whispered command, +coming from directly in front of our friends. A +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +slight movement in the cane-brake followed, and then +all became silent once more.</p> +<p>“Come!” whispered Ben. “Don’t fire until you +see me do so.”</p> +<p>Thus speaking, the young captain moved slowly +and cautiously from the spot they had occupied for +five minutes or more. He picked his steps, and +they fell as silently as those of a cat after a bird. +Casey was at his heels, almost holding his breath, +and his small eyes glistening with expectancy. +Both knew that they were carrying their lives in +their hands.</p> +<p>Two rods had been covered, and still nothing was +seen of the Filipinos. Was it possible that they had +withdrawn? But no, there was another cracking of +cane-stalks and another command in the Tagalog +language, coming now from their left. Then of a +sudden a Mauser rang out, and a bullet whistled +back of Ben’s head and across Casey’s face.</p> +<p>The report had not yet died out when Ben fired, +straight for the flash of fire of which he had caught +a momentary glimpse. That his shot reached its +mark was proven by the wild yell of pain which +followed.</p> +<p>“The jig is up!” cried Dan Casey. “We must +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +run fer it, captain!” And as a Tagal came into +view before them he fired point-blank at the fellow, +hitting him in the breast and killing him on the spot.</p> +<p>As luck would have it, the Filipino whom Casey +had killed was a petty officer and the leader of the +detachment, and his sudden taking-off disconcerted +the insurgents for a minute, who yelled one to +another that their leader was shot. Taking advantage +of the confusion, our friends rushed headlong +through the cane-brake, firing several times as they +ran. A dozen shots answered them, but none of +these took effect.</p> +<p>“I think the road is yonder,” said Ben, pointing +with his pistol as they progressed. “Hark!”</p> +<p>From a distance came a scattering volley, proving +that the fighting was not yet over. It came +from the direction in which they were running. +But now those left behind were after them, shooting +and shouting with vigor, for they were ten to two, +and were determined that the wicked <i>Americanos</i> +should not escape their clutches.</p> +<p>At last the cane-brake was left behind. Beyond +was a small part of a rice-field, and close by a +cottage which appeared deserted.</p> +<p>“Sure, captain, an’ we’ll be shot down like dogs +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +if we show ourselves in th’ open,” panted Casey, +who was almost out of breath.</p> +<p>“Get behind the house,” answered Ben. “It +is our one chance,” and he started in advance. +Again the Filipinos fired on them, and this time +a bullet touched the young captain’s side, cutting +a straight hole through his clothing.</p> +<p>They were yet a hundred feet from the cottage +when two American soldiers came rushing forth, +guns in hand. The strangers took in the situation +at a glance, and let drive with such good aim that +two of the enemy fell back wounded. The others +paused, not knowing how many Americans might +be concealed in the building, and in another minute +Ben and Casey were for the time being safe.</p> +<p>“By gum, ef it ain’t Captain Russell!” cried +one of the soldiers, as he faced Ben. “I’m right +glad to be yere to help ye, cap’n,” and he smiled +broadly.</p> +<p>“Ralph Sorrel!” returned Ben, as he recognized +the tall Tennesseean who had once accompanied him +on a search for Gilbert when the young Southerner +was missing. “What are you doing here?”</p> +<p>“Jeming an’ me hev got a wounded man with +us—Sergeant Kaser o’ our company. We war +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +takin’ him back o’ the lines, when he got so bad +we brung him in yere to rest a spell. But you—”</p> +<p>“Thim rebels is comin’ agin!” announced Dan +Casey. “Six, eight, nine av thim, wid wan limpin’. +How many av us are there here?” he asked, as +he looked around.</p> +<p>“Four,” answered Ben. “Load up, boys, and +when you shoot—”</p> +<p>“We’ll make every shot tell,” answered Jeming, +a hardy-looking soldier, almost as tall as his companion.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe they will come very close,” continued +Ben. “They know that we have the advantage +of them, even if we are but four to nine.”</p> +<p>The young captain was right. The Filipinos +had showed themselves only for a few seconds. +Now, as Sorrel raised his gun, they lost no time +in darting behind cover.</p> +<p>The cottage consisted of four rooms, all on the +ground floor, and a low loft upstairs. It was well +built and fairly furnished in native fashion. On +the single bed it contained lay the wounded soldier, +Sergeant Kaser, whom Ben had met several times. +He was hit in the neck, and looked as if he +could last but a few hours at the most.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span></div> +<p>“Sorry we can’t git ye back to camp, sergeant,” +said Sorrel, as he did what he could to ease the +wounded one’s pain. “The house is surrounded +by the enemy. I reckon we kin keep ’em out, +but I reckon likewise thet they kin keep us in—at +least fer a while.”</p> +<p>“It—don’t—matter,” gasped Sergeant Kaser. +“I am not—not—long for this world. What a +terrible thing war is! I never thought I was going +to be shot down like this!” And he gave another +gasp. His eyes were staring from his head, for +he was suffering severe pain.</p> +<p>Ben looked around the cottage for something +which might be given to the sufferer to ease him. +But the dwelling had been stripped of all small +things, and nothing in the way of food, drink, or +medicine remained. Sorrel had already bound a +handkerchief soaked in cold water around the +wounded neck, so nothing more could be done, +excepting to raise the sufferer up to a sitting +position, at his request. “I don’t know as thet +is best fer him,” whispered the tall Tennesseean to +Ben. “But he ain’t long fer this world, as he +says, an’ he might as well hev his wish as not.”</p> +<p>In the meantime Casey and Jeming were on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +guard, one watching to the front and right, the +other to the left and rear. The nearest building +to the cottage was a hundred and fifty feet away, +but bushes and small trees were numerous, and +the Americans were afraid the rebels might try to +sneak up behind these and surprise them.</p> +<p>“Something is moving over there,” announced +Jeming, after watching several of the bushes for +a short spell. “Can’t make out, though, if it’s +man or beast.”</p> +<p>“Have you plenty of ammunition?” asked Ben, +who, as an officer, felt in charge of the party.</p> +<p>“Seventeen rounds, captain.”</p> +<p>“And how about you, Casey?”</p> +<p>“Fifteen rounds,” returned the Irish volunteer, +after counting up the contents of his belt.</p> +<p>“I have twelve rounds, captain,” came from +Sorrel. “But I reckon you know how I shoot, +an’ Jeming’s jest as good, mebbe better.”</p> +<p>“I think the supply is sufficient,” said Ben, “so +don’t run any chances. If you think that is an +enemy give him a shot. But don’t hit one of +our fellows by mistake,” he added, by way of +caution.</p> +<p>“It’s a Tagal!” cried Jeming, while the young +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +captain was yet beside him. The gun was levelled +like a flash, a report followed, and the Filipino +fell behind the bushes and was seen no more.</p> +<p>“Thet will teach ’em to keep their distance,” +was Sorrel’s comment. “Perhaps they’ll clear out +soon, bein’ afeered some more o’ our troops will +come this way.”</p> +<p>But the natives were “game,” as Ben expressed +it; and instead of withdrawing, they began to come +closer, using every bush, tree, and outbuilding to +the best advantage. Some of their fellows had +joined them, so that the attacking party now numbered +fifteen, and each well armed. They had +seen that Ben wore the uniform of a captain, and +felt that the capture of such an officer would be +much to their credit.</p> +<p>Sergeant Kaser was now groaning so that he +could be heard even outside of the building, and +as the rebels had fired through the windows several +times, they concluded that they had wounded one +of the four men they knew to be inside. If this +was so, but three <i>Americanos</i> were now left, and +they felt that victory would soon be within their +grasp.</p> +<p>“Surrendor, or we kill eferyboddy!” cried one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +of the number, in English that could scarcely be +understood. “We haf dreety mens outside.”</p> +<p>“We ain’t surrenderin’, not by a jugful!” +answered Sorrel. “What in thunder does he +mean by ‘dreety mens’?” he added, to his companions.</p> +<p>“I think he means thirty,” answered Ben. “But +I don’t believe there are that many.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but there are more than there was,” +announced Casey, quickly. “I’m just afther seein’ +’em pass yonder bushes.” He had pointed his gun, +but the Filipinos had been too quick for him.</p> +<p>“Do you surrendor?” demanded the voice again. +“We shall begin to shoot if you no gif up.”</p> +<p>“No surrender,” answered Ben, firmly.</p> +<p>Hardly had he spoken when something came +rolling toward the cottage and stopped close to the +porch. It was a rude ball made of sugar-cane husks +and over a foot in diameter. The ball was ablaze +and burning fiercely, as if covered with pitch.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV_THE_ESCAPE_FROM_THE_BURNING_HOUSE' id='CHAPTER_XV_THE_ESCAPE_FROM_THE_BURNING_HOUSE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>THE ESCAPE FROM THE BURNING HOUSE</h3> +</div> +<p>“Hullo, that’s a new wrinkle!” exclaimed Ben. +“They are going to try burning us out.”</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ thim haythins is up to all sorts av +dodges,” cried Dan Casey. “It’s meself as would +like to git a squint at th’ feller that threw that.”</p> +<p>“I’ve got him, I reckon,” whispered Sorrel, taking +a ready aim at a thin hedge to the left of the +house. The report of his gun was followed by a +shriek of pain, and a Filipino fell into view, the +blood flowing freely from a wound in his neck. +Soon his companions caught him by the legs and +dragged him back into cover.</p> +<p>After this brief exchange of “compliments,” as +the tall Tennesseean called it, there came a lull. +Evidently the natives were disconcerted by the +unexpected fall of the man who had thrown the +fire-ball and knew not what to do.</p> +<p>“Do you suppose they have quitted the vicinity?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +questioned Jeming, after listening vainly +for some sound from without. From a distance +came a scattering fire, but around the native house +was the silence of death, for the man who had +been shot by Sorrel had fainted from loss of blood.</p> +<p>“They are up to something, you can be certain +of that,” answered Ben. “The Filipino is at his +worst when he is silent.”</p> +<p>“Right ye air, cap’n,” put in Sorrel. “Yere +she comes agin—an’ a scorcher, too!”</p> +<p>From over the bushes came a huge fire-ball, +blazing brightly. It struck the thatch of the cottage +close to the edge of the roof, and before it +fell to the ground had set fire to the abode, which +began to burn as though no shower had wet it for +a month.</p> +<p>“That settles it!” came from Jeming. “We’ve +got to get out, or we’ll be burnt up like rats in a +corn-crib.”</p> +<p>“But the sergeant—” began Sorrel, when a low +moan issued from the corner.</p> +<p>“Never—mind—me, boys,” came, with several +gasps. “I’m—I’m going! Good—good—bye—to—to— Tell +mother—”</p> +<p>He said no more, but fell back exhausted. All +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +rushed to him, but ere anybody could raise his +form again he was gone from this earth forever.</p> +<p>Tears stood in the eyes of Ralph Sorrel, and Jeming +was scarcely less affected, for both had known +the sergeant intimately. “Another victim,” murmured +the tall Tennesseean. “How long is this +yere blamed war goin’ ter last, anyhow?”</p> +<p>“Not much longer, I hope,” answered Ben, in +a low voice. “I, for one, have seen enough of +bloodshed.” Then the young captain straightened +up, for fear he might break down. “But we must +attend to our duty, and get away if we can. See, +the flames are eating in at the window.”</p> +<p>“All right, cap’n, I’m ready,” said Sorrel. “But +we must carry this yere body outside fust. We +can’t let it be burnt up, nohow.”</p> +<p>He nodded to Jeming, who understood, and +covering the form of the dead man with a blanket, +they marched to the door with the stiffening form. +The coast seemed clear, and they darted out and +deposited their grewsome burden on the grass. +They were just returning to the shelter of the +doorway when two shots rang out, but neither +was effective.</p> +<p>By this time the cottage was burning so fiercely +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +that to remain inside longer would have proved +highly dangerous. Accordingly, Ben called a council +of war.</p> +<p>“I think we had best strike out for the grove +of trees on the right,” he announced. “The distance +is shorter than to the other shelters, and the +grass is so high that perhaps we can get some +benefit by stooping down as we run.”</p> +<p>“Right ye air, cap’n,” answered Sorrel, and +Casey and Jeming nodded.</p> +<p>“Surrendor, you <i>Americanos</i>!” came in a shout +from without. “Surrendor, you beasts!”</p> +<p>“Let them burn up, they deserve it!” came in +Spanish.</p> +<p>“All ready?” asked Ben, and receiving a nod, +he hurried to a side window. Below was a small +bush, and in a moment he had dropped to the +ground. As he started through the long grass, +Casey and the others followed him.</p> +<p>A wild yell speedily showed that this new movement +had been discovered, and a dozen shots rang +out. But the Filipinos were too excited to shoot +straight, and the bullets merely clipped their way +through the mango and other trees, or buried +themselves in the side of the burning building.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span></div> +<p>At first Ben thought to fire in return. But to +find shelter was the prime consideration, and on +he went, holding his pistol in readiness, but without +pulling the trigger. Here and there a Filipino +could be seen flitting from bush to tree, but these +glimpses were short and far from satisfactory.</p> +<p>“They are coming!” came from Dan Casey, +just as the nearest of the trees was gained. +“Back, ye rascals!” he shouted, and fired as +quickly as he could. Casey was right; the Tagals +were surrounding them, and now they had to fight +back to back, in as hot a contest as the young +captain had ever seen. They were clearly outnumbered, +but retreat was impossible, for the +Filipinos surrounded them upon every side.</p> +<p>What happened during the next five minutes is +almost impossible to describe, for every movement +was executed with lightning-like rapidity, the Filipinos +bound to kill or capture the Americans, and +at the same time afraid that they would slip like +eels through their fingers. After a score of shots +taken at a distance, they closed in, and Ben found +himself confronted by two fierce-looking men, one +armed with a Mauser rifle and the other with a +wicked-looking bolo. The Mauser was empty, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +its owner evidently out of ammunition, for as he +advanced he used the weapon as a club.</p> +<p>Ben was hard pressed, for his pistol was now +empty, and there was no chance to reload it. But +his sword kept the two Tagals back, and had it not +been for his gun, one of the enemy would have had +his head split open from the blade. But now the +rascal with the bolo tried to attack the young captain +from one side, while he with the gun swung +around to the other.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_6' id='linki_6'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus164.jpg' alt='' title='' width='337' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“His sword kept the two Tagals back.”—<i>Page 147.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>Ben could expect no aid from his companions, for +all were as hotly engaged as himself; indeed, Sorrel +more so, for he was fighting three men, while Jeming +and Dan Casey, side by side, and with their +backs against a heavy thorn-bush, were fighting the +balance of the detachment.</p> +<p>The young captain felt that he could do little or +nothing more, and expected each instant to have his +assailants hurl themselves directly upon him, when +a shout came from Sorrel which gave all of our +friends hope.</p> +<p>“Some soldiers air comin’!” sang out the Tennesseean. +“This way, boys, this way, an’ be quick +about it!”</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” came in a hoarse growl +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +from the roadway, and in a few seconds a whole +company of the North Dakota troops burst into +view. Their captain, a short, fat man, but one who +was an excellent fighter, took in the situation at a +glance, and ordered the Filipinos surrounded.</p> +<p>Taken by surprise, the Tagals were dumfounded, +and for half a minute knew not what to do. +Then they started to run, but this movement came +too late, and four went down at the first volley from +the newly arrived men. The others, realizing their +helplessness, threw down their arms and surrendered.</p> +<p>“Had it hot, eh, captain,” said the North Dakota +man to Ben as he came up with a quizzical smile on +his round face, from which the perspiration was +pouring in a stream.</p> +<p>“Yes,” panted Ben. “You came up in the nick +of time, and I must thank you for—”</p> +<p>“That’s all right, captain—no more than you +would do for me, and I know it.” The North +Dakota man shook hands. “It’s been a long running +fight to-day,” he added. “Where is your +command?”</p> +<p>“That remains to be found out,” answered Ben. +“Have you seen any of them during the last two +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +hours? I and one of my men became separated +from them in the cane-brakes.”</p> +<p>“I guess you’ll find them up near Baliuag. Most +of the troops are up there. But I wouldn’t try +going around by this road, for the rebels are scattered +in small bands all over this territory. You’ll +find the main road all right.”</p> +<p>“What will you do with these prisoners?”</p> +<p>“Take them up to the main road and send to the +colonel for orders.”</p> +<p>“Then I will go with you,” said Ben, and spoke +to the others about it. Soon the whole party was +on the way, Sorrel and Jeming carrying the dead +form of Sergeant Kaser between them, with Casey +trudging near to give them a lift whenever necessary.</p> +<p>It was now growing dark, and looked as if a thunderstorm +was at hand. Seeing this, the detachment +pushed forward rapidly, until at last the main +road was gained. Here, from one of the drivers of +a quartermaster’s turnout, they learned that Ben’s +regiment had gone into temporary camp on the outskirts +of the town of Baliuag, which was a mile further +on. A number of Americans were missing, +having become lost in a manner similar to Ben and +Casey.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span></div> +<p>The young captain now lost no time in marching +forward once more, and reached his regiment +in less than half an hour. He found his company +in charge of Gilmore. Many had given him up +for dead, and they were delighted at his reappearance.</p> +<p>“We can’t do without you,” said the acting first +lieutenant. And as he shook hands his honest +face showed that he meant what he said.</p> +<p>“And I don’t know that I can do without my +company,” replied Ben. “Anyway, I’m awfully +glad to be back. In the future, I must be a little +more careful about keeping the boys in sight.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI_NEWS_FROM_HOME' id='CHAPTER_XVI_NEWS_FROM_HOME'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>NEWS FROM HOME</h3> +</div> +<p>It was evident that the majority of the insurgents +had now had enough of fighting, for while +the engagement just mentioned was taking place, +General Luna of the Filipinos sent forward his +chief of staff to General MacArthur, with a request +that hostilities cease, pending a conference +of Americans and Filipinos looking toward a settlement +of existing difficulties.</p> +<p>But our leaders knew only too well what delay +meant, and refused to enter into any compact +unless the natives first threw down their arms. +The Filipinos wanted their freedom, but events +had now so shaped themselves that absolute freedom +for them appeared to be out of the question. +So the conference practically amounted to nothing. +And while this was taking place, General Hale +began to move eastward to join General Lawton’s +command on its march toward San Isidro. It was +the policy of all the American commanders to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +give the Filipinos no rest during the short time +left to them before the heaviest of the rainy season +set in.</p> +<p>A rest of two days did Ben’s company a world +of good. Communications with Malolos were now +opened, and supplies were coming forward rapidly. +With the supply wagons came Carl Stummer, just +from the hospital and still somewhat “shaky,” but +eager to be again on the firing line.</p> +<p>“I could not dink me of stayin’ any longer,” +he said, as he shook hands all around. “Der docther +say, ‘You vos besser here,’ und I say, ‘I ton’t +gits me no besser bis I schmell dot powder purning +vonce more alretty!’”</p> +<p>“Well, it’s powdher ye’ll be afther shmellin’ +soon,” put in Dan Casey. “It’s forward we go +to-morrow, so th’ colonel is afther sayin’.”</p> +<p>“Goot!” said Carl. Then he added with a faint +smile. “You see, Tan, I vos afraid you kill all +dem Filibenos off pefore I could git here.”</p> +<p>“Sure an’ I saved a couple fer ye, Carl,” replied +his chum. “Ye’ll not be wantin’ fer a scrap, I’ll +warrant!” And then he related his own and +Ben’s adventures, to which the German volunteer +listened with much interest.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></div> +<p>The wagon train had brought in the mail, and +this included the usual letters for Ben—one from +Walter and the other from Uncle Job Dowling. +Ben breathed a long sigh as he opened the communications.</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“I’m going to spring a surprise on you,” so +wrote Walter. “I’ve been reading the newspapers, +and it makes me weary to think that I am just +cruising around with our squadron doing nothing, +while you and Larry are right in it, head and +heels. I’ve applied for a transfer to one of the +warships in Manila waters, and it may be that +before this reaches you I will be on the bounding +Pacific on my way to join you and Larry in our +fight with Aguinaldo and his supporters. Si Doring, +my old Yankee chum, has applied with me, +so we’ll probably come on together, and when we +get there you and Larry will have to look to your +laurels, that’s all.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>“Dear Walter!” murmured Ben, after reading +the letter twice. “What will he say when he +hears that Larry is missing? If Larry doesn’t +show up, it will break his heart, and it will break +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +mine, too!” And he brushed away the tears that +sprang up in spite of his efforts to keep them +down. Then he turned to the heavy, twisted +scrawl from his Uncle Job.</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“It’s rare good news you have sent, Ben,” wrote +the old man, after stating that he was in good +health, “and the news comes none too soon, for +the party who took a mortgage on my house wants +his money, and where I am going to get it I don’t +know, with money so tight and interest and bonus +so high. I’ve told him that Braxton Bogg is captured,—and +he saw it in the newspaper, too,—and +he is about of a mind to wait for his money now +until the bank gets back what was stolen, and +settles up. For myself, I can’t hardly wait till that +time comes; and after this you can be sure I’ll be +mighty careful where I put my cash and what’s +coming to you three boys, too. You won that +thousand dollars’ reward fairly, and I hope you +and Larry won’t squander it like most soldiers +would. I thought that war would end soon, but it +appears like it would go on forever. Tell Larry +to take good care of himself, and mind that you +don’t get shot.”</p> +</blockquote> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span></div> +<p>“Poor Uncle Job—he’ll be in a hole again,” +murmured Ben. “Evidently he wrote this right +after I sent word Braxton Bogg was caught, and +he doesn’t know anything of my being shot and +getting over it, and of Benedicto Lupez skipping +out with what Bogg stole. Hang the luck, but +everything seems to be going wrong.” And Ben +grated his teeth, in a mood hard to explain.</p> +<p>“What’s up, Ben?” The question came from +Gilbert, who had just come up to watch the young +captain, in considerable surprise.</p> +<p>Ben showed the two communications. “I’m +just thinking of what I had best write to my +Uncle Job,” he returned. “I’m afraid it will +break the old fellow’s heart to learn that the +money is gone—and after he is trying to turn +over a new leaf, too.”</p> +<p>“And the news about Larry will cause him +pain, too, I reckon.”</p> +<p>“No doubt, but—but—well, between you and +me, Gilbert, I’m afraid the money will hurt the +worst—Uncle Job always did set such a store by +a few dollars. As for me, I’d give all I’ll ever be +worth if only I knew Larry was safe,” concluded +the young captain, arising from a seat under a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +palm tree as Major Morris came forward to speak +to him.</p> +<p>“Captain, I’m ordered to the front to-night, to +do a little reconnoitring,” said the major of the +first battalion. “I thought perhaps you would +like to go out with me. Possibly we can again +get on the track of that Bogg fortune;” and +he smiled faintly, for he had been with Ben on +the night Braxton Bogg had been first made a +prisoner.</p> +<p>“I’ll go out with you gladly,” answered the +young captain, promptly. “But I doubt if that +money is ever found—or my brother Larry, +either,” he added, with bitterness.</p> +<p>“Oh, cheer up, captain, you are blue to-night. +Come, a little danger will put you on your mettle +once more, and you’ll forget all about this thing—although +I’ll allow it’s enough to make anybody +heart-sick.”</p> +<p>Supper was served, and the sun had long since +sunk to rest over the vast plain and ocean to the +westward, when Ben and Major Morris set out, +taking with them an ample supply of ammunition +and likewise a day’s rations, for they were to +move directly into the heart of the enemy’s country +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +and might be absent for a day or longer. The +object of their going was to find out if a certain +Lieutenant Caspard, who had deserted the American +ranks, was with the rebels now gathering at +Maasin, and if so, whether or not he was acting +as an officer of the Filipino forces. If they could +catch the deserter and bring him back, they were +to be well rewarded. Strange to say, the orders +were not to shoot him if it could be avoided.</p> +<p>“It’s a strange mission,” said Major Morris, as +they set out. “But such are Colonel Darcy’s orders, +and he is backed up in them by the general. +Between you and me, I think this Caspard has +been playing a double game between our forces +and those of the Filipinos, and those at headquarters +want to find out just what it means. +One man told me that this Caspard was out of +his head, and had an idea that he could stop the +war by telling the rebels we would grant them +everything they want if only they would throw +down their arms.”</p> +<p>“Would the rebels swallow such a yarn?”</p> +<p>“Some of the more ignorant might. But that +isn’t the point; Caspard may have given them +some military information of vast importance. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +You must remember we are in a territory that +may be full of pitfalls for us,” concluded the +major.</p> +<p>Ben thought but little of the ending of this +speech at the time, but had good cause to remember +it before midnight. On they pushed past the +picket guard and on to a side road which it was +said would bring them around to the north side +of Maasin. Both were in fairly good humor by +this time, and the major told many an anecdote +of army life which made Ben laugh outright. The +major saw that his companion was indeed “blue,” +and was bound to dispel the blues if it could be +done.</p> +<p>“And that story puts me in mind of one on +General Grant,” he continued presently. “Grant +was sitting in his tent one night when—”</p> +<p>“Hush!” interrupted Ben, and caught his companion +by the shoulder. Then he pointed into +the semi-darkness ahead. “Are those rebels, or +friends?”</p> +<p>The road they were pursuing was, for the most +part, a winding one. But they had now gained +a straight stretch, the farther end of which was +somewhat in the open. Looking in that direction +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +Ben had discerned six or seven figures stealing +silently along, guns on shoulders and packs on +their backs.</p> +<p>Major Morris came to a halt and surveyed the +figures attentively. “I don’t believe they are our +men,” he whispered. “None of the troops came +as far as this—so the general stated.”</p> +<p>“Then, if they are rebels, what have they been +doing?” went on Ben. “See, they have picks and +shovels and axes.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps it’s an engineering corps,” and the +major laughed softly at what he considered his +little joke. “These Tagals are bound to be up-to-date, +you know.”</p> +<p>“Well, if they are an engineering corps, what +have they been doing?” demanded the young captain, +who felt by no means satisfied at his companion’s +words.</p> +<p>“I’ll give it up—no, I won’t, I’ll go forward +and investigate,” came from the major. “There +they go, around the turn, and walking just as fast +as they can. If we want to catch up to them, we +will have to hurry.”</p> +<p>“We don’t want to get too close, major. They +are not the game we are after, remember.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></div> +<p>“True, captain, but it won’t do any harm to +find out what we can of them. We may be doing +General Lawton a great service by such an action.”</p> +<p>The night was cloudy, and as they pushed forward +to the bend in the road it became darker +than ever, until they could see hardly anything of +what was ahead of them. The way was evidently +little used, for the grass grew thickly even in the +centre of the highway.</p> +<p>The pair were going on, side by side, and with +eyes strained to catch sight of those who had +gone before, when suddenly Major Morris felt the +ground giving way beneath him. “My gracious!” +he ejaculated, and caught Ben by the arm. At +the same instant the young captain uttered a cry, +and also felt himself going down. Then came the +snapping of slender bamboo poles, and the scattering +of some loose grass, and down into darkness +and space shot the pair, swallowed up utterly by +a hole which had unexpectedly opened to receive +them.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII_IN_AND_OUT_OF_A_STRANGE_PITFALL' id='CHAPTER_XVII_IN_AND_OUT_OF_A_STRANGE_PITFALL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>IN AND OUT OF A STRANGE PITFALL</h3> +</div> +<p>Major Morris and Ben had fallen into a pit +dug by the Filipinos for the purpose of catching +their enemies. It was an old trick, and one which +had been used quite extensively at the opening of +the rebellion, but which was now falling into disuse, +for the reason that few Americans were ever +caught by the device.</p> +<p>The method was to dig a square hole in the +centre of some trail or road which the Americans +would probably use in their advance. At the bottom +of this hole would be planted upright a number +of sharp bamboo sticks, and then the top +would be covered over with slender bamboo sticks +and loose grass or palm leaves. If one or more +persons stepped upon the top sticks, they would +break at once, and the unfortunates would fall +upon the sharp points below, which were certain +to inflict more or less serious injury.</p> +<p>Fortunately, however, for the young captain and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +his companion, the hole into which they had tumbled +was not provided with the sharp sticks mentioned. +The natives had just finished the opening +when an officer had called upon them to leave +the vicinity as it was getting dangerous, owing to +the rapid advances made by the Americans. So the +trap had been set with its most dangerous element +lacking.</p> +<p>Yet the fall was by no means a pleasant one, +and for a brief instant the young captain of Company +D thought that the bottom had dropped out +of everything, and that he would surely be killed. +He tried to catch hold of something, but all he +could reach was the major’s shoulder, and then +both landed with a thud on the soft dirt left at +the bottom of the hole.</p> +<p>Ben was the first on his feet, which was not +saying much, since the bottom of the opening was +not level, and he stood in the soft loam up to his +ankles. Shaking himself to find that no bones +were broken, he drew a long breath.</p> +<p>“Major, are you all right?” he asked.</p> +<p>“No—no—I’m not all—all right,” came with +a gasp. “I’ve had my wi—wind knocked ou—out +of me.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></div> +<p>“Any bones broken?”</p> +<p>“I gue—guess not. But wh—who ever heard +of such a con—founded trick?”</p> +<p>“I’ve heard of it several times, major. But we +are not as bad off as we might have been had the +rebels put some sharp sticks down here to spit us +with.”</p> +<p>“True.” Major Morris gave a grunt, and wiped +the dirt from his eyes. “Well, I reckon we’ve +learned what their engineering corps was up to.”</p> +<p>This was said so dryly that in spite of his discomfiture +Ben was compelled to laugh.</p> +<p>“Yes, we’ve learned. The question is, now we +are down here, how are we going to get out?”</p> +<p>“Better make a light and see how deep the hole is +first,” replied the commander of the first battalion.</p> +<p>Fortunately Ben had plenty of matches with him, +and striking one, he lit a bamboo stalk and held it +up as a torch. By the flickering light thus afforded +they saw that the hole was about eight feet wide and +twice as long. The level of the road above was fully +eight feet over their heads.</p> +<p>“Looks as if we were in a box, eh, captain?” said +the major, grimly.</p> +<p>“We’re certainly in a hole,” responded Ben. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +“But I think we can get out without much trouble. +I wish we had a spade.”</p> +<p>“Well, wishing won’t bring one, and there is +nothing here to take the place of one, either.”</p> +<p>“Nothing but our hands. Here, if you’ll hold the +light, I’ll see what I can do.”</p> +<p>“Here is a bit of a flat stick, try that,” rejoined +Major Morris; and taking the article mentioned, Ben +set to work with vigor, attacking one end of the hole +by loosening the dirt so that a large portion of it +soon fell at their feet. Standing upon the fallen +portion he continued his operations, and presently +more of the dirt fell, leaving an incline up which +both began to scramble on hands and knees. It was +not a very dignified thing to do, but it was far better +than to remain in the hole, and besides, there was +nobody at hand to comment on the want of dignity +in the movement.</p> +<p>“We are well out of that,” began Major Morris, +brushing off his clothing as he spoke. “In the +future—”</p> +<p>“Hold on, major, somebody is coming,” interrupted +Ben, and pulled his companion back. He had seen +a faint light advancing toward them, from a side +road which joined the main road at a point but a few +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +yards distant. Soon he made out a heavy cart +approaching, drawn by a pair of caribaos, or water +buffaloes. On the seat of the cart sat two sleepy-looking +natives.</p> +<p>“We must stop that cart,” was the major’s comment. +“If we don’t, there will be a bad smash-up.”</p> +<p>“I don’t think it’s a good plan to expose ourselves,” +replied Ben.</p> +<p>“But do you want those chaps to break their +necks?” demanded the commander of the first +battalion. “More than likely they are <i>amigos</i>.”</p> +<p>“I’ve got a plan for warning them, major.”</p> +<p>As Ben spoke he picked up some of the driest of +the grass and palm leaves and applied a match to the +stuff. It blazed up readily, and he threw the mass +in with the other stuff about the edge of the hole.</p> +<p>“There, if they can’t see that they must be blind,” +he said. “Come, let us get out,” and off they ran +for the thicket close at hand. From here they +watched the cart and saw it come to a halt near the +hole and knew that the turnout was safe.</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t think the rebels would care to leave +those holes about,” was Major Morris’ comment, as +they pushed on once more. “They are as dangerous +to their own people as they are to us.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span></div> +<p>“I suppose they tell their own people about +them.”</p> +<p>“Those men on the buffalo cart evidently knew +nothing.”</p> +<p>“The rebels don’t care for the <i>amigos</i>. Their +idea is, if a native is not with them, he is +against them, and must suffer with the Americans.”</p> +<p>To play the part of spies in such a country as this +was not easy, for the Americans were easily distinguished +from the natives. Had Ben and the major +spoken Spanish fluently, they might have passed for +Spaniards, as each was tanned from constant exposure +to the strong sun. But this could not be, and so +they had to go ahead and trust to luck to see them +through with their dangerous errand.</p> +<p>At length they felt that they must be close to the +enemy’s picket line, and paused to consider the situation. +Before them was a gentle slope, terminating +at a small but deep stream which flowed into the Rio +Grande River.</p> +<p>“I think some of the rebels are over there,” said +the major, pointing to a hill, from the top of which +could be seen a faint glow. “There is certainly a +camp-fire back there.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></div> +<p>“There is a house just below us,” returned Ben. +“Or is it a mill?”</p> +<p>“A mill most likely. They wouldn’t build an +ordinary dwelling right at the water’s edge.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps the rebels are using the mill as a +sort of headquarters. What do you say if we investigate?”</p> +<p>The major agreed, and they began to pick their +way along the stream. Soon they reached a rude +bridge, and were on the point of crossing, when a +sharp cry rang out from the building they were +approaching.</p> +<p>“Hullo, that’s a woman’s voice!” exclaimed Ben. +“Somebody is in trouble.”</p> +<p>“Help! thief! murderer!” came in Spanish. +“Oh, help, for the love of kind Heaven, help!”</p> +<p>“It’s a woman, true enough!” ejaculated the +major. “I wonder what the trouble is?”</p> +<p>“I’m going to find out,” answered Ben. The cry +for aid appealed to his heart, and he bounded toward +the mill-house, for such the building proved to be, +without further hesitation. Nor was Major Morris +far behind him.</p> +<p>As they came closer they saw that the structure +was dark, saving for a faint light that came from one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +of the rooms built over the mill stream. It was in +this room, evidently, that some sort of struggle was +going on, for now both heard the cry for help +repeated, followed by the overturning of a table. +Then came the voices of two men, and the cry came +to a sudden end.</p> +<p>“Two men are misusing some woman,” cried Ben, +“come on!” and rushing around to the front of the +building, he found the rickety stairs leading to the +house floor, and bounded upward. The door at the +top stood ajar and he pushed it in, with Major Morris +at his heels. The room at hand was dark, the +struggle was going on in the apartment next to it.</p> +<p>Ben paused long enough to see that his pistol had +not sustained any injury in the tumble into the hole, +and was ready for use, and then threw open the door +before him.</p> +<p>The light in the room was not very bright, but +coming out of the darkness Ben could see but little, +for a few seconds. The room was thick with the +smoke of cigarettes, and through the haze the young +captain made out two men standing beside an overturned +table, one with a knife in his hand. To his +intense surprise the men were Americans and dressed +in the uniforms of regulars.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span></div> +<p>“What does this mean?” he demanded. “What +are you—”</p> +<p>And then Ben got no further, for a swift look +around the room told him that the two men were +alone—that the woman he had heard crying for help +was not there.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_ADVENTURE_AT_THE_MILLHOUSE' id='CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_ADVENTURE_AT_THE_MILLHOUSE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>THE ADVENTURE AT THE MILL-HOUSE</h3> +</div> +<p>For the moment it must be confessed that Ben +was absolutely dumfounded, and Major Morris also. +They had fully expected to see a woman in the hands +of the regulars before them, and they could scarcely +believe the evidence of their own senses.</p> +<p>But if the officers were astonished, the men they +confronted were likewise taken back, and stared +in amazement, which quickly gave way to consternation.</p> +<p>“What do you want?” demanded one, as soon as +he could speak. And then he glanced over their +shoulders to see if the newcomers were alone.</p> +<p>“We thought we heard a woman in trouble,” +answered Ben, slowly.</p> +<p>“And we did hear a woman,” put in the major. +“Where is she?”</p> +<p>The two regulars exchanged unsteady glances, for +each was somewhat the worse for liquor. “There +ain’t no woman here,” answered one of them, sullenly.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></div> +<p>“Then who was crying for help?” persisted the +young captain.</p> +<p>“See here, cap’n, you are on the wrong trail,” +came from the older of the regulars. “Me and +Bill’s jest been having a little rumpus between ourselves. +We meant no harm by it.”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe you,” came from Major Morris, +promptly. “There is some mystery here, and as +sure as you’re born I’m going to find out what it +is!” he went on.</p> +<p>The major had scarcely finished when Ben’s eyes +fell to the floor, and he saw the outline of a trap-door +under one of the regular’s feet. One edge of +the door was raised about half an inch above the +floor proper, as if the door had been opened and not +put back evenly into place.</p> +<p>“Major, look at that trap-door!” he cried. “I’ll +wager they used it while we were coming up the +outside stairs.”</p> +<p>“You must be right, captain. If you’ll—”</p> +<p>“We didn’t use no trap-door,” shouted the +younger of the regulars, but he appeared much disconcerted +over the discovery Ben had made.</p> +<p>“Captain, I have them covered,” came from Major +Morris, as he brought out the two pistols with which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +he had wisely provided himself. “Perhaps you had +better investigate.”</p> +<p>“I will,” returned the young captain, and backed +out of the room. The regulars wanted to stop him, +but aiming his weapons at them the major told them +to hold their peace.</p> +<p>“If everything is all right, you won’t be harmed,” +he said. “But it doesn’t look right to me. You +have no business here, for one thing.”</p> +<p>“And what business have you here?” demanded +the older regular. And then he changed his manner. +“We were captured in the fight of last week, and +were just trying to get back to our lines again.”</p> +<p>“We’ll talk about that when my friend the captain +gets back, my man. If we are treating you +unjustly, I’ll apologize and do the handsome thing by +you,” he added.</p> +<p>In the meantime Ben was making his way down +to the bank of the stream, under the mill, with all +possible speed. It was extremely dark, and he +had to pick his way with caution for fear of tumbling +into some ugly hollow. Below the mill was +a fall of water, and here the stream ran between a +series of sharp rocks.</p> +<p>Ben had just gained the bank of the stream when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +a low moan reached his ears. At first he could +not locate the sound, but presently discovered that +it came from the vicinity of the rocks. Feeling +his way along he managed, but not without great +difficulty, to gain the top of the rocks. Here he +saw the water foaming and boiling twenty feet +below.</p> +<p>“That woman must be down there,” he muttered. +Then he raised his voice. “Where are you?”</p> +<p>“Down here, by the rocks!” came back faintly. +“Help! please help me!”</p> +<p>Locating the voice as well as he was able, the +young captain began crawling down from one rock +to another. This was difficult work, and he had +to move with extreme care for fear of a tumble, +which would land him directly into the boiling +stream. At last, however, he found himself perched +on a bit of a shelf, with the water less than two feet +away.</p> +<p>From this point of view he beheld the sufferer, +who was swinging in the water, with her arms +tightly clutching a sharp stone which reared its +point just above the surface of the stream. He +saw that she was evidently a Spanish woman, well +along in years, and that her dress was sadly torn, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +and her long hair was floating loosely over her +neck and face.</p> +<p>It must be confessed that the young captain was +perplexed over the situation that confronted him. +The sufferer was just beyond his reach, and he felt +that to plunge into the water after her would be +to take a big risk, for if the stream at this point +was over his waist, the force of the current would +carry him off in an instant.</p> +<p>“Can you hold on a few minutes longer?” he +called out.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_7' id='linki_7'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus192.jpg' alt='' title='' width='332' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“Can you hold on a few minutes longer?”—<i>Page 173.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>“No! no! I am too weak,” came more faintly +than ever. “Help me quickly, and Heaven will +reward you!”</p> +<p>“I will do what I can—but you must hold tight +for a minute,” answered Ben.</p> +<p>Just above his head a number of bushes were +growing, and among these he had espied a long, +stout-looking shoot. Clambering to this, he pulled +out his pocket-knife and cut it off. Then he +leaped down once more, and holding tight to +the rocks with one hand, shoved out the branch +with the other. “Catch hold, if you can,” he +cried.</p> +<p>The woman understood and gave up the rock for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +the stick, and Ben pulled her toward him. It was +no easy task, and once it looked as if she would +lose her hold and be swept away. But in a minute +the danger was past, and the young captain was +hauling her up to where he stood. She was thoroughly +exhausted, and no sooner did he have her +in his arms than she fainted.</p> +<p>One difficulty had been overcome, but another +still remained, and that was to get up to the safe +ground above the rocks. But once again the +bushes growing out of the crevices came into +play, and, hauling himself from one to another, +Ben at last found himself safe, with his burden +resting heavily over his shoulder.</p> +<p>It was now that the young captain found the +woman was suffering from a blow over the left +temple, from which the blood was slowly trickling. +Laying the form down, he brought out his handkerchief +and bound up the wound as well as he +was able. This had just been accomplished when +the sufferer came again to her senses and stared +around her in bewilderment.</p> +<p>“You—you—am I safe?” she asked, in broken +English, but in a sweet voice which went straight +to Ben’s heart.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span></div> +<p>“Yes, madam, you are safe,” he answered. “Did +those two men throw you into the stream?”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes! Oh, they are villains, señor—great +villains.”</p> +<p>“I must say they look it, even if they are of +our troops,” replied the young captain. “Come, do +you think you can walk back to the mill with me?”</p> +<p>The woman said she would try, and he assisted +her to her feet. She was still very weak, and +readily consented to lean on his arm; and thus they +moved slowly back the way the captain of Company +D had come.</p> +<p>During all this time Ben had not heard a sound +from the house, and he was anxious to know how +Major Morris was faring, although feeling positive +that the major was fully capable of taking care of +himself. Now, as they came closer, he heard loud +talking.</p> +<p>“We ain’t goin’ to stay, major,—an’ it ain’t +right fer you to ask us to,” the older of the regulars +was saying.</p> +<p>“You will stay, and that’s the end of it,” came +in the major’s clean-cut tones. “If you attempt +to pass through that doorway, I’ll put a bullet +through you.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span></div> +<p>“But we are friends, major, and—”</p> +<p>“I don’t know that I am a friend to you. It +depends upon what my companion the captain will +have to report when he gets back.”</p> +<p>“He won’t have nuthin’ to report, so far as we +are concerned,” put in the younger regular. “We +ain’t done any wrong, ’ceptin’ to quarrel a bit +between us. Everybody has a set-to once in a +while, you know.”</p> +<p>By this time Ben was tramping up the outside +stairs, supporting the woman as before. Now he +pushed his way into the outer room of the mill-house, +the woman following with some hesitancy. +At the appearance of their late victim the regulars +fell back as though struck a blow.</p> +<p>“Nice sort of chaps you are,” exclaimed Ben, +hotly. “You don’t deserve to wear Uncle Sam’s +uniform. A set of prison stripes would suit both +of you much better.”</p> +<p>“Hullo, you’ve found the lady,” cried the major. +“Sit down, madam, and tell us what this means.”</p> +<p>A bench was handy, and the sufferer dropped +heavily upon it. The regulars looked as if they +wished themselves anywhere but in their present +situation, yet they did not dare to budge, for Major +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +Morris still held “the drop” upon them, and the +commander of the first battalion looked as if he +would stand no nonsense.</p> +<p>“These men came here to rob me,” said the +woman, slowly. “They are of your kind, but they +are not honest.”</p> +<p>“Then they are not of our kind,” answered Ben, +promptly. “We do not allow our soldiers to rob +anybody.”</p> +<p>“We didn’t come to steal—” began the older +regular, when Major Morris stopped him.</p> +<p>“<a name='TC_4'></a><ins class='trchange' title='Removed extra double quote mark'>Silence!</ins> Not another word until the lady +has finished her story.”</p> +<p>There was a second of painful silence, and the +lady continued: “I am staying at the mill alone, +for my husband has gone to the Laguna de Bay +on business. Several hours ago, these two soldiers +came in and demanded that I serve them with a +hot supper. Not wishing to have trouble I gave +them the best I had. But they were not satisfied, +and broke into my husband’s wine closet and drank +two bottles of his choicest wine, and smoked his +best cigarettes, package after package. Then, after +drinking much wine, they demanded that I give +them money, and that man,” pointing to the older +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span> +prisoner, “told his companion that I must have +money hidden somewhere, as all the Spanish mill-owners +in Luzon were rich, while the truth is, +we are very poor, as the war has taken away +everything. Then the men drank more, and at +last they caught hold of me and threatened me +with great violence if I did not give up what I +had hidden away. I gave them the little silver I +had, but they were not satisfied, and when I tried +to run away, one hit me over the head with this +bench. Then they plotted to get me out of the +way entirely and go on a hunt for money themselves. +I cried louder than ever, and then you +started to come in. One of the men had opened +that trap leading to the river, and as you came up +the outer stairs both dropped me down, no doubt +to drown me. I was swept down to the rocks at +the falls, and there the <i>capitan</i> saved me, God bless +him for it.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_OF_LARRY' id='CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_OF_LARRY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>NEWS OF LARRY</h3> +</div> +<p>For a minute after the Spanish woman finished, +nobody in the mill-house spoke. Her tale had impressed +both Ben and the major deeply, and they +looked with cold contempt at the two regulars +who had so disgraced the uniform they wore.</p> +<p>“This is a fine doings, truly,” said Major Morris, +at length. “I wonder what your commander will +say when he hears of it.”</p> +<p>“If you please, they have deserted the American +army,” put in the woman. “They said as much +while they were drinking my husband’s wine.”</p> +<p>“It ain’t so!” burst out the older regular, +fiercely. “And that woman has told you a string +of—”</p> +<p>“Shut up!” interrupted the major, sternly. “I +will take this lady’s word against yours every time—after +what I have witnessed of both of you. +Your name, please?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span></div> +<p>“I ain’t telling my name jest now,” was the +sullen response.</p> +<p>“Aren’t you?” Up came the major’s pistol again. +“Your name, I said.”</p> +<p>“Jack Rodgrew.”</p> +<p>“And what is yours?” went on the commander +of the first battalion, turning to the younger +regular.</p> +<p>The man hesitated for a second. “My name +is Jerry Crossing.”</p> +<p>“Indeed! How is it your mate called you Bill +awhile ago?”</p> +<p>“Why—er—er—”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe either of the names is correct,” +went on the major.</p> +<p>“He is called Bill, and the other is Yadder,” put +in the Spanish woman. “I heard the names many +times.”</p> +<p>“Then that will answer, since I also have your +company and regiment. Now, then, throw down +your cartridge belts.”</p> +<p>“Throw ’em down?” howled the regular called +Bill.</p> +<p>“That is what I said. Throw them down at +once.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span></div> +<p>“But see here, major—”</p> +<p>“I won’t stop to argue with you. Throw the +belts down, or take the consequences.”</p> +<p>“And what will the consequences be?” questioned +Yadder.</p> +<p>“The consequences will be that I will form myself +into a court-martial, find you guilty of desertion, +and shoot you down where you stand. Come, +do those belts go down or not?”</p> +<p>“I reckon they go down,” grumbled Yadder; and +unloosening the article, he allowed it to slip to the +floor, seeing which, his companion followed suit.</p> +<p>“Now both of you hold your hands over your +heads, while Captain Russell searches you for concealed +weapons.”</p> +<p>“We ain’t got no concealed weapons.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t ask you to talk, I told you to hold up +your hands.”</p> +<p>With exceeding bad grace the two deserters, for +such they really proved to be, held up their arms. +Approaching them, Ben went through one pocket +after another and felt in their bosoms. Each had a +long native knife, such as are usually used in the +rice-fields.</p> +<p>“I suppose you do not call those concealed weapons,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +was Major Morris’s comment, as Ben came +over to him with the knives and the cartridge belts. +The rascals’ guns stood back of the door behind the +commander of the first battalion.</p> +<p>“It ain’t fair to take everything away from us,” +began Yadder, when two shots, fired in rapid succession, +cut him short. The shots came from up the +stream and not over fifty yards from the mill-house. +Soon followed a shouting of voices, and all in the +place knew that a band of rebels were approaching.</p> +<p>“They are after somebody!” exclaimed Ben. +“They are coming—”</p> +<p>The young captain got no further, for just then +there sounded a clatter on the outer steps, and a +second later an American soldier burst into the +mill-house. He was in tatters, and his left arm hung +limply by his side, for he had been shot in the +shoulder.</p> +<p>“Americans!” he gasped, as he cast a hurried +glance about. “Thank God for that! The rebels +are after me, half a dozen strong.”</p> +<p>“He went up into the house!” came from without, +in the Tagalog dialect.</p> +<p>“After him, men, the <i>Americano</i> must not escape +us!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span></div> +<p>And then footsteps were heard around the house +and on the stairs. Ben and the major looked at +each other questioningly. What was to be done?</p> +<p>“The trap,” whispered the young captain. “If +they come up here, we can escape through that.”</p> +<p>There was no time to say more, for already the +rebels were coming up the stairs, shouting loudly for +the escaped <i>Americano</i> to give himself up. They +advanced in a body, evidently not caring to separate +in the darkness, and thinking to find the man +alone.</p> +<p>With quick wit Ben ran and placed the table +against the door, and on this piled the bench.</p> +<p>“Now the trap, and be quick!” he whispered, +and Major Morris understood. Flinging open the +door in the floor he looked down, to behold the +stream flowing beneath.</p> +<p>“Follow me—it’s the best way out,” he said to +the escaped prisoner. Then he dropped down, holding +his pistols over his head, that they might not +get wet.</p> +<p>The wounded man was in a desperate humor and +lost no time in following. By this time the rebels +were hammering lustily on the door which Ben was +holding shut.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span></div> +<p>“What are we to do?” demanded the older of +the deserters. “Are you—”</p> +<p>“You can take care of yourselves,” answered the +young captain, and rushing over to the trap-door he +let himself through, closing the trap after him. +Then came a plunge into the water, but the stream +here was less than four feet deep, and he followed +Major Morris and the wounded man to the bank +without difficulty. A loud shouting came from +overhead, followed by a storm of words from both +rebels and deserters, and also from the Spanish +woman. Fortunately for the woman, among the +rebels was a nephew, who at once came to her aid, +and had the two deserters from the American army +made prisoners.</p> +<p>“We had better put a little distance between +ourselves and that mill,” suggested Major Morris, +as all three shook the water from their lower +garments.</p> +<p>“How is it? are you badly wounded?” asked +Ben, turning to their newly made companion.</p> +<p>“Oh, I can go ahead,” said the soldier. “It’s +rather painful, though.”</p> +<p>“We’ll take care of it for you at the first chance +we get,” added Ben; and then the three set off at +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +a brisk pace along the stream and over the rocks +to a grove in which they felt they would be comparatively +safe until daylight, if no longer.</p> +<p>As the mill-house was left behind, all became +quiet, and in the grove nothing disturbed them +but the hum of the insects and the occasional cry +of some night bird.</p> +<p>Lighting a match, Ben examined the man’s wound +and bound it up with the major’s handkerchief, his +own having been left behind with the Spanish +woman. The stranger said that his name was +Barton Brownell.</p> +<p>“I have been a prisoner of the insurgents for +some time,” he said, when asked to tell his story. +“I was captured just before our troops took Malolos. +They had six prisoners all told, and they +took us to a place called Guinalo, which is probably +forty miles from here, and up in the mountains.”</p> +<p>“While you were a prisoner did you see or hear +anything of a Lieutenant Caspard?” asked Major +Morris, quickly.</p> +<p>“To be sure I did!” burst out Barton Brownell. +“He came to see me several times. He has +joined hands with the insurgents, and he wanted +me to join them, too. But I told him I would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +rot first,” added the wounded man, and his firmness +showed that he meant what he said.</p> +<p>“And was Caspard in the field with the rebels?”</p> +<p>“Yes. He was hand in glove with General +Luna and the other rebel leaders, and I think he +had turned over some messages from General Otis’s +headquarters to the rebels. But, candidly speaking, +I think Lieutenant Caspard is somewhat off +in his head. Once he came to me and said that if +only I and the other prisoners would join him, we +could end this shedding of blood inside of a week.”</p> +<p>“He must be crazy, to join the rebels,” put in +Ben. “Does he hold any position under them?”</p> +<p>“They call him <i>capitan</i>, but if he has such a +position, it is merely a nominal one. I think the +natives are beginning to suspect that he is not +quite right in his mind. But still they love to +hear him praise them, and they swallow a good +bit of what he says, like so many children.”</p> +<p>For the moment Major Morris was silent. Then +he turned to Ben. “Our mission seems to have +come to a sudden end,” he said. “Brownell can +tell Colonel Darcy all he wants to know.” And +he related to the escaped prisoner the reason for +their coming beyond the American lines.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span></div> +<p>“Yes, I reckon I can tell the colonel well +enough,” answered Barton Brownell. “For I saw +Caspard often, as I mentioned before, and he never +knew what it was to keep his tongue from wagging.”</p> +<p>“And how did you escape?” asked Ben, with +interest.</p> +<p>“In a very funny way,” and the soldier laughed. +“As I said before, we were kept up in the mountains, +in a large cave. There were six of our +troop, but all told the prisoners numbered twenty-eight. +There was a guard of four rebels to keep +us from escaping, and an old woman called Mother +Beautiful, because she was so ugly, used to cook +our food for us—and the food was mighty scanty, +I can tell you that.</p> +<p>“Well, one day two of the guards went off, +leaving the old woman and the other two guards +in sole charge. There had been a raid of some +kind the day before, and the guards had some +fiery liquor which made them about half drunk. +The old woman got mad over this, and she was +more angry than ever when one of the guards +refused to get her a pail of water from a neighboring +spring. ‘I’ll get the water, mother,’ says +I, bowing low to her, and would you believe it, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span> +she made the two guards let me out, just to get +her the water.”</p> +<p>“And the water hasn’t arrived yet,” said Major +Morris, laughing.</p> +<p>“No, the water hasn’t arrived yet,” answered +Barton Brownell. “As soon as I reached the +spring I dropped the pail and ran for all I was +worth, and hid in the brush along the mountain +side. I stayed there two days and nearly starved +to death. Then they hunted me out, and I received +this wound. But I escaped them and made my +way through the jungle and over the rice-fields to +here, and here I am.”</p> +<p>“You say there were twenty-eight prisoners all +told,” cried Ben. “Did you ever hear anything +of my brother, Larry Russell?”</p> +<p>“Larry Russell?” repeated Barton Brownell, +thoughtfully. “To be sure I did. He is a sailor +from the <i>Olympia</i>, isn’t he?”</p> +<p>“Yes! yes! And was he with you?”</p> +<p>“He was, at first. But he wasn’t when I left. +They moved some of the prisoners away, and he +was among them. So he was your brother? That +beats all, doesn’t it—to think I should fall in with +you in such a place as this!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX_THE_ADVANCE_UPON_MAASIN' id='CHAPTER_XX_THE_ADVANCE_UPON_MAASIN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>THE ADVANCE UPON MAASIN</h3> +</div> +<p>Ben was much surprised and also delighted to +learn that Barton Brownell had met Larry, and he +lost no time in questioning the escaped soldier +regarding his missing brother.</p> +<p>“Yes, your brother was with me about two +weeks,” said Barton Brownell. “He came up with +a detachment of rebels from the Laguna de Bay, +after General Lawton left that territory.”</p> +<p>“And was he well, or had he been wounded?”</p> +<p>“He was suffering from a cut in the head. A +Spaniard had kicked him—and, yes, he told me it +was a Spaniard that you and he were after for having +robbed a bank of some money.”</p> +<p>“Benedicto Lupez!” ejaculated Ben, more astonished +than ever.</p> +<p>“That’s the name. Your brother had run across +that man and his brother at Santa Cruz, and he was +trying to make this Benedicto Lupez a prisoner, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +when the brother kicked him in the head, and then +both of them ran away, and when your brother +realized what was going on again he found himself +a prisoner. He was taken to a camp near the north +shore of the Laguna de Bay, and afterward transferred +to the cave where I was held.”</p> +<p>“I am thankful that he is alive,” murmured the +young captain, and breathed silent thanks to God +for His mercy. “Do you know where they took +Larry to?”</p> +<p>“I can’t say exactly, but I know that a great many +of the rebels are retreating to the mountains back +of San Isidro. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of +Aguinaldo making his final stand there.”</p> +<p>“I would give all I am worth to gain my brother +his liberty.”</p> +<p>“And I reckon he would give all he is worth to +escape,” rejoined Brownell. “The boys hate to be +kept prisoners, and try all sorts of devices to get +away. One fellow had some gold hidden on his +person and tried to bribe a guard with it. But the +guard only laughed at him and stole the money.”</p> +<p>“Of course you do not know what became of +Benedicto Lupez and his brother.”</p> +<p>“No, your brother knew nothing further than that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +they ran off after the assault on him,” concluded +Brownell.</p> +<p>The talking had somewhat exhausted the wounded +man and Ben forbore to question him further just +then. While Barton Brownell rested easily on some +moss, the young captain turned to the commander of +the first battalion.</p> +<p>“What shall we do next, major?”</p> +<p>“I think we had better be getting back,” was the +ready answer. “The sooner we report to the +colonel the better he will be pleased.”</p> +<p>“I feel like pushing right through to San Isidro, +on a hunt for my brother.”</p> +<p>“It would be a foolish movement, captain, for, +unless I am greatly mistaken, the insurgents have +a large force in front of us, and to attempt breaking +through would be taking a big risk. Be thankful +that your brother is safe thus far. As long as he +remains quiet I don’t think the rebels will harm +him.”</p> +<p>Ben could not but believe that this was good +advice, and he agreed to do as the major thought +best. It was now three o’clock in the morning, and +half an hour later they started, thinking to rejoin +their command before daylight.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span></div> +<p>It was an exhausting tramp, the more so because +Brownell had to be assisted by one or the other for +the entire distance.</p> +<p>“I’m a great drag,” sighed the wounded soldier. +“Perhaps you had better push on and let me shift +for myself.” But the major and the captain would +not hear of this.</p> +<p>They had one little brush with two of the Filipino +pickets before getting into the American lines, but +the rebels were young men and not very courageous +and let them slip by without great trouble.</p> +<p>It was Major Morris who made the report to the +colonel, taking Ben and Brownell with him. Colonel +Darcy was greatly interested.</p> +<p>“It is, then, as I supposed,” he said. “This information +will be of great value to us, Major Morris,” +and he thanked the major and Ben for what they +had done. Brownell’s report was also received with +close consideration by General Lawton himself.</p> +<p>“If the prisoners have been taken to San Isidro, +we must try our best to liberate them,” said the +general. “I am so glad to learn, though, that the +rebels are not ill-treating them, as I had supposed.”</p> +<p>It was Ben, assisted by Casey, who saw Brownell +to the hospital and had the wounded soldier given +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +every attention. When they parted, Brownell, although +now so exhausted that he could scarcely +speak, shook the young captain’s hand warmly.</p> +<p>“I hope you find your brother soon,” he said. “I +can imagine how bad it makes you feel to know that +he is a prisoner.”</p> +<p>The advance of General Lawton’s command was +now directed at Maasin, a few miles beyond Baliuag. +It was led by Colonel Summers, who took with him +some Oregon, Dakota, and Third Infantry troops +and a battery of the Utah Light Artillery, with +other troops following, including Ben’s battalion +with Major Morris at its head. As before, the +advance was along the main road and through the +rice-fields, cane-brakes, and the jungle, with the air +so oppressive that it felt as though coming out of +a steaming oven.</p> +<p>“I dink me I vos right in it from der start, +alretty!” exclaimed Carl Stummer, as he plodded +along. “Dis vos vorse as der march on Malolos, +eh, Tan?”</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ it’s no picnic,” replied the Irish volunteer. +“But thin, Carl, me b’y, ye must remimber, +we didn’t come out here fer fun. We kem out fer +to show thim haythins how to behave thimselves an’ +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +grow up into useful an’ ornamental citizens av the +greatest republic that iver brathed th’ breath av +life.”</p> +<p>“Chust so,” returned the German volunteer. +“But it vos uphill vork, ennahow,” and he sighed +deeply. Carl could fight as well as any old-time +trooper, but the long tramps through the jungle +always disgusted him.</p> +<p>There was the river to cross upon which the mill-house +was located, and Ben could not help but +wonder if the Spanish woman was still at the +structure, and how the American deserters had +fared. But the mill-house was too far away to +visit, and now the battalion was ordered into action +on the upper side of the stream.</p> +<p>“Gangway for General Lawton!” was the cry +that reached Ben’s ears a few minutes later, and +then came a crashing of horses’ hoofs, and the tall +general rode through their open ranks, followed +by several members of his staff. As was usual, +the general was bound for the firing line, to personally +direct the movements of the men under +him. Many were the times that the members of +his staff urged him not to make a target of himself. +He would not listen; and in the end +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +this daring exposure cost the gallant leader his +life.</p> +<p>But now all was excitement, for a large force +of rebels had been uncovered and there was no +telling but what the jungle ahead concealed even +more. “We are up against it, fellows!” shouted +one of the sergeants. “Let us rush ’em for +keeps!” And on swept the battalion, until the +steady pop-pop of Mausers and the crack of the +Springfields could be heard upon every side.</p> +<p>Ben’s company was no longer as large as it had +been, for death and disease had sadly depleted the +ranks. Yet the forty-six men in the command +were now thoroughly seasoned fighters, and all +loved their young and dashing leader and would +have followed him anywhere.</p> +<p>Presently an orderly dashed up to Major Morris.</p> +<p>“Major, Colonel Darcy wishes you to take your +command up yonder hill. The rebels have a battery +up there, as you can see. If you can rush +the position, he will send another battalion to your +support.”</p> +<p>“Tell Colonel Darcy I will obey the order,” +answered Major Morris. Then he turned to the +four companies. “Boys, we are ordered to take +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +yonder hill and the two field-pieces perched on +top of it. Come on, and I will lead you!”</p> +<p>He waved his sword and away went the first +battalion on the double quick, two companies to +the front. There was first a slight hollow to +cross, and then came a thicket of brambles where +many a uniform was reduced to rags. The battery +at the top of the hill saw them coming and directed +a heavy fire at their advance.</p> +<p>“Hot work!” cried the major, as he ranged up +alongside of Ben. “I am afraid the carrying out +of this order will cost us dear.”</p> +<p>“If you’ll allow me to make a suggestion, major—” +began Ben.</p> +<p>“Make a dozen, captain.”</p> +<p>“Why not take a course to the left then.”</p> +<p>“For what reason?”</p> +<p>“There is a big rock on that side, on the very +top of the hill.”</p> +<p>“But we can’t climb that rock.”</p> +<p>“No, and neither can the rebels fire over it with +their field-pieces. When we get up to the rock +we can march around it.”</p> +<p>“Well spoken, Russell—you’re a born strategist,” +cried the major, who was too generous to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +have any ill feeling because somebody offered him +a suggestion. “We’ll go that way.” And he +immediately gave necessary orders.</p> +<p>But the advance was by no means easy, and +soon the battalion found itself under such a galling +fire that the men were glad enough to seek +the shelter of every rock and bush which came +handy. The battery could not do everything, and +afraid of having his pieces taken from him, the captain +had called upon several companies of the Filipinos +to assist him in maintaining his position.</p> +<p>“Down!” suddenly shouted Gilbert Pennington, +and down went the men, and the next instant a +shell burst directly over their heads.</p> +<p>“This is hot and no mistake,” murmured Ben. +Then he turned to his command. “Forward, men, +the sooner we take that position the better it will +be for us.” And up the hill he dashed, with +Casey, Stummer, and the rest following as best +they could, for the way was steep and uncertain. +At last the very edge of the big rock was gained, +and Company D poured around its left side, to +find themselves suddenly confronted by a body of +Tagalos fully a hundred strong. In the meantime +the other companies under Major Morris were coming +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +up on the opposite side of the rock. Ben was +on the point of shouting some additional words of +encouragement to his men, when he found himself +face to face with a mighty Igorrote warrior, who +with his long lance seemed determined to pierce +the young captain through and through.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI_CAMPING_OVER_A_POWDER_MAGAZINE' id='CHAPTER_XXI_CAMPING_OVER_A_POWDER_MAGAZINE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>CAMPING OVER A POWDER MAGAZINE</h3> +</div> +<p>Bang!</p> +<p>It was the report of Ben’s pistol, and the weapon +was aimed directly for the Igorrote’s head, for the +young captain had learned the value of aiming and +firing quickly.</p> +<p>But the Filipino “had been there before,” and +as the trigger went down he dropped to the ground +with the rapidity of lightning, and the bullet intended +for him struck a man some distance in the +rear. Then up leaped the Igorrote once more and +bounded onward, the lance point aimed directly for +Ben’s throat!</p> +<p>The young captain’s pistol was now empty, the +other shots having been discharged during the climb +up the hill. His sword was out, but the lance was +three times the length of the blade, so he was still +at a disadvantage. Yet he aimed a blow at the +barbed point and thus turned it aside.</p> +<p>“Ha!” hissed the Filipino, and drew back. Then +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +he struck again at Ben, and instantly both slipped +on the moist grass and fell directly into each +other’s clutches. The Igorrote was a powerful +warrior, and grasped Ben’s throat with the tightness +of a steel band.</p> +<p>Ben tried to cry out, but not a sound could he +make. His eyes bulged from their sockets, and +he felt his breath leaving him. A second Igorrote +leaped forward to hit him on the head with a +war club, such as some of the Igorrote still insisted +upon carrying. Of the use of rifles this tribe of +the Filipinos knew little or nothing.</p> +<p>“Back, ye nager!” came in Dan Casey’s voice, +and there followed a sickening thud, and down went +the enemy with the club, his head split open by +a blow from the Irish volunteer’s gun-stock. +Casey then aimed a second blow at the rebel who +had hold of Ben, but not wishing to receive such +a dose as had been meted out to his companion, +the other Igorrote sprang up, butted Casey in the +stomach with his head, thus landing the Irishman +on his back, and then ran for his life toward the +nearest shelter of brush.</p> +<p>“Oh, be gracious! To look at that now!” +spluttered the Irishman as he arose. “But I got +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +wan av thim, anyhow, captain,” he added, with +a jerk of his thumb toward the Igorrote, who lay +with a broken head.</p> +<p>“Yes, Casey; and you saved me, too,” returned +Ben, earnestly. “You are worth two ordinary +men;” and then captain and private drifted apart, +as the tide of battle rolled forward.</p> +<p>The top of the hill was gained, but for once the +insurgents did not know when they were whipped, +and held to their guns until more than half of +their number were either killed or wounded. The +contest raged to the right and the left of the battery, +and this was fortunate, for seeing they could +not hold the pieces, some of the rebels overcharged +one of the guns and set it off, blowing it into a +thousand pieces. Then the main body retreated +into the jungle, carrying a few of their wounded +with them.</p> +<p>By this time it was raining again, and the +downpour on the top of the hill was so great +that little could be seen of the condition of affairs +at a distance. Sending word that the hill was +taken and one old-fashioned Spanish field-piece +captured, Major Morris rallied his battalion around +him and stood on the defensive. But the rebels +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +had had enough of fighting for the present, and +once again took up the retreat in the direction of +San Isidro.</p> +<p>“I reckon that was hot enough for anybody,” +said the major, as he stalked up to Ben and the +other captains under him. “I wonder if anybody +was killed by the explosion of that old cannon?”</p> +<p>“Nobody was killed, but several were wounded,” +answered one of the captains. “The rebel who +charged her up and then fired her had lots of +nerve,” he added.</p> +<p>Word soon came back from General Lawton that +the battalion should hold the hill until further +orders. The situation was not a pleasant one, but +orders must be obeyed, and the various companies +proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as +possible, which was not saying much, since the +top of the hill afforded little or no shelter. One +company was detailed to do picket duty, but +a little scouting soon proved that the rebels were +a mile or more distant.</p> +<p>When the main body of the troops under General +Lawton marched into Maasin, they found the +pretty little town all but deserted. In a few of +the huts the inhabitants remained, having hung +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +out dirty white rags to show that they were <i>amigos</i>. +Here were also numerous “Chinos” or Chinese, +some of mixed blood, and all ready to do +anything for the American soldiers, provided they +were paid for it. Natives and “Chinos” went +about bared to the waist, casting fearful eyes at +those who had so suddenly disturbed the peace of +their homesteads, for the inhabitants of Maasin +were peaceably inclined, and took but little interest +in the war Aguinaldo and his followers had +instituted.</p> +<p>“Well, we are one step nearer to San Isidro,” +remarked Gilbert, when he got the chance to talk +to Ben. “I suppose we can’t get there any too +quick for you.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know, Gilbert. You must remember +that while Larry may be near San Isidro now, he +may be miles off when we reach there. These +Filipinos change their capital and their prisons as +quickly as a flea jumps.”</p> +<p>“Never mind, we’ll keep them on the jump until +they drop,” answered the young Southerner. +“They can’t stand up before us forever.”</p> +<p>“To my way of thinking, I don’t believe this +war will come to definite end, Gilbert.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span></div> +<p>“What do you mean, Ben? They have got to +stop sometime—or else we have got to stop.”</p> +<p>“These Filipinos are not pulling together—on +the contrary, they are split up into half a dozen +factions. If we defeat one faction, the others will +still keep on, and, besides that, the worst of the +rebels are of Malayan blood, pirates and bandits. +I believe after we have whipped them as an army +they will still keep on fighting in small bodies, +somewhat after the order of the brigands in Mexico +and northern Africa. With the mountains to fly +to, such brigands could keep on worrying an +American army for years.”</p> +<p>“Possibly; but when the main body of the natives +see what we want to do for them, they’ll be as anxious +as we to wipe out such brigands, and with their +own people after them, life will be pretty uncomfortable, +I’ll wager. To be sure, there will always be +robbers, just as there are outlaws and train-wreckers +in the western states of our own country.”</p> +<p>Some of the men had found a small opening +between the rocks, and over this had hung their +tents, making a rude shelter which Ben and Gilbert +were glad to share with them. In the crowd were +Casey and Stummer, and the latter busied himself in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +trying to make a cup of hot chocolate over a handful +of dry twigs found in the shelter. The attempt +was hardly a success, yet the drink was better for the +convalescent than either water or liquor would have +been.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ if this shtorm kapes up, we’ll all be +dhrowned out,” was Casey’s comment, as he shifted +his feet to keep them out of a rising puddle. “Now +who would think the water would rise on the top av +a hill. Things do be mighty peculiar in Luzon, an’ +that’s a fact.”</p> +<p>“Never mind, Casey, you’ll get back home some +day,” put in another soldier. “And in years to come +you’ll be telling your grandchildren what a mighty +fighter you were out in the state of Luzon, recently +annexed to the United States, along with the state +of Hawaii.” And a laugh went up over the conceit.</p> +<p>“Sure an’ you ton’t haf nodding to grumble ofer +of you ton’t git shot,” said Stummer.</p> +<p>“Or don’t get taken down with disease,” put in +another. “My, but I pity the fellows with fever +and chills and malaria, and the other things that are +just as bad. I believe about one-fifth of the army is +now on the sick list.”</p> +<p>“Some of the boys are going to send a petition to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +General Otis for relief. They say they can’t stand +it much longer.”</p> +<p>So the talk went on, both Ben and Gilbert saying +but little. Presently Major Morris poked his nose +into the opening.</p> +<p>“I think you boys had better come out of there,” +he said shortly.</p> +<p>“Why, major—” began several.</p> +<p>“Are we to advance?” asked others.</p> +<p>“No, we are not going to advance, unless it’s skyward,” +continued the major. “Either come out of +that, or else put out that fire, and be mighty careful +about it.”</p> +<p>“The fire ain’t doing no harm,” grumbled a +private, under his breath.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe the enemy can see the smoke in +this rain,” suggested another, thinking that this was +the cause of their being disturbed.</p> +<p>“I’m not thinking of the enemy, boys, I’m thinking +of you. Better come out, and then we’ll put +out that fire as carefully as we can.”</p> +<p>Seeing that something unusual was in the wind, +one after another of the officers and privates came +forth from the hollow, Stummer giving the fire a +kick as he passed. As soon as they were outside +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span> +they surrounded the commander of the first +battalion.</p> +<p>“Now, boys, do you know why I called you out?” +asked Major Morris, with just the suspicion of a +twinkle in his clear eyes.</p> +<p>“No, why was it?” came from a dozen voices.</p> +<p>“Because I wanted to save your lives,” was the +quiet response.</p> +<p>“Save our lives, major? You must be joking.”</p> +<p>“No, I am not joking. We have just captured +one of the rebel gunners, who was in command of the +piece that was blown to atoms. He says that this +hollow, where you had your camp-fire, was their +powder magazine, and that they left all of a hundred +and fifty pounds of powder stored there, hidden +under the moss and dead leaves.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII_THE_RESULT_OF_AN_AMBUSH' id='CHAPTER_XXII_THE_RESULT_OF_AN_AMBUSH'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>THE RESULT OF AN AMBUSH</h3> +</div> +<p>“Good gracious, do you mean to say we have been +camping over a powder magazine?” gasped Gilbert, +as soon as he could speak.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ it’s a wondher we wasn’t all blowed to +hivin!” came from Dan Casey.</p> +<p>“Und I boil mine chocolate so calmly as you +blease,” put in Carl Stummer, with a shudder. “Py +chiminy, I ton’t vos build no fire no more bis I vos +sure of mine ground.”</p> +<p>For several minutes the excitement was intense, +and all of the soldiers retreated to a considerable +distance from the hollow which had proved such a +comfortable shelter.</p> +<p>Presently, however, Ben, Gilbert, and several others +mustered up courage enough to go back and haul +down the coverings put up. Then came another +heavy downpour of rain, which speedily extinguished +the fire; and the danger of an explosion was past.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span></div> +<p>An examination under the rocks proved that the +Filipino gunner had told the truth. The powder +was there, in big cans bearing the old Spanish stamp. +Some was marked 1876, and was so old as to be +practically worthless.</p> +<p>“They ought to have shot that off in honor of our +centennial,” remarked the young captain. “I don’t +wonder the rebels can’t hit anything. This powder +has no carrying power left to it.”</p> +<p>Nevertheless the powder was carted off and added +to the American stock. Then General Lawton rode +up and Major Morris told in detail what had been +accomplished.</p> +<p>With the fall of Maasin came another day of +much-needed rest for the majority of the troops +under General Lawton. In the meantime, while +these soldiers were advancing from Angat upon San +Isidro, the command under General MacArthur was +far from idle. The Filipino commissioners wanted +a three months’ armistice, in order that the terms of +a peace might be discussed, but to this the Americans +would not listen, as they felt the enemy wished +mainly to gain time in which to reorganize their +shattered forces.</p> +<p>MacArthur’s command was now in possession of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +Calumpit on the railroad, and Apalit, just above, on +the Rio Grande; while the rebels in this territory +began to mass at St. Tomas and at San Fernando, +still further northward on the railroad. On May the +4th MacArthur’s division set out from Apalit, with +Hale’s command on the right wing and Wheaton’s +on the left.</p> +<p>It was not supposed that the rebels would make a +serious stand short of San Fernando, but at St. +Tomas they were developed in force, and a running +fight ensued, lasting several hours, but without great +loss to the Americans. Finding they could not hold +St. Tomas, the Filipinos set fire to the town and fled. +They were pursued with vigor, and attempted to burn +San Fernando late that night, but failed to do so.</p> +<p>Early in the morning the fighting was renewed, +and near San Fernando another battle took place. +But the rebels were disheartened by the defeat at +St. Tomas, and were soon on the run, and General +Hale drove them a mile beyond San Fernando. In +taking possession of the town it was found that +several of the public buildings were in ruins. The +defensive works here were very strong, and had the +Filipinos stood up to their work like real fighters, +they might have held the position for a long time.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span></div> +<p>On Saturday, May the 6th, Ben’s command moved +forward again, down the hill into Maasin, now +patrolled by Americans, and then to the main road +beyond.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe we are in for much of a fight to-day,” +remarked the young captain to Gilmore, who +had now been appointed first lieutenant.</p> +<p>“I reckon you are right,” answered Gilmore. +“The scouts haven’t found any rebels within a mile.”</p> +<p>“It would almost seem as if we could march +straight through to San Isidro,” went on Ben, +thoughtfully. “I must say I never heard of such +a campaign.”</p> +<p>“They say General Lawton puts it down as a +regular Indian campaign. But then the rebels don’t +do much fighting in the dark.”</p> +<p>“They are sick of it, Gilmore. I believe they +would give up in a minute if the leaders were only +assured that they would come out whole, as the +saying goes.”</p> +<p>“Well, they’ve gone too far to come out whole, +captain. General Aguinaldo may mean well, but he +never went at this thing right. He ought to know +that he isn’t dealing with some third-rate power.”</p> +<p>On went the regiment, about four hundred and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span> +fifty strong now, for men were dropping out every +day on <a name='TC_5'></a><ins class='trchange' title="Was 'acount'">account</ins> of fever and other tropical troubles. +Ben had had a little fever himself, but had dosed +himself with quinine before it had a chance to permeate +his system and bring him down on his back.</p> +<p>The advance led the regiment along a small stream +lined with fading flowers and wild plantains and the +ever present thorns and trailing vines. Birds were +numerous, and here and there a sporting soldier +could not resist the temptation to bring one of the +feathered tribe down, to be cooked at the next resting +place. Once the regiment stirred up a flock of +wild turkeys, and a charge was made to capture the +prizes, a charge that was as enthusing as one on the +rebels. Soldiers are but human and must have their +fun, no matter under what difficulties.</p> +<p>“It’s a fine turkey dinner we’ll be afther havin’ +to-day,” remarked Dan Casey, as he hung one of the +birds over his shoulder. He had scarcely spoken, +when pop-pop went several Mausers in a thicket +beyond, the bullets singing their strange tune in the +leaves over the advancers’ heads.</p> +<p>“Forward!” shouted Major Morris, who was in +temporary command of the regiment, and away they +went once more, to suddenly find themselves on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +spongy soil which speedily let them down to their +ankles. In the meantime the insurgents’ fire became +thicker than ever, and it looked as if they were +caught in an ambush.</p> +<p>“Fire at will!” came the order. “To the left, +boys, and make every shot tell!”</p> +<p>A roar of musketry drowned out the words, and +immediately Ben’s company found itself all but surrounded. +To go into this quagmire had certainly +been a grave error, but all leaders make mistakes +sometimes; and Major Morris was suffering as +greatly as his men.</p> +<p>The next half hour was one Ben never forgot. +The rebels evidently thought they had the Americans +at their mercy and pushed in closer and closer, +until more than half of the contestants were fighting +hand to hand. Many had exhausted their ammunition, +and were using their bayonets or else handling their +guns as clubs.</p> +<p>“Die!” cried one tall Tagal, as he flashed up +before Ben with a bloody bolo. “Die!” he repeated +in bad English, and made a lunge at the young captain. +But Gilmore had his eye on the man, and the +lieutenant’s sword cut the bolo from the rebel’s +grasp.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span></div> +<p>“Good for you!” cried Ben. Then he drew a +long breath, to think of the narrow escape he had +had. The native, his hand flowing with blood, +retreated as suddenly as he had approached.</p> +<p>The tide of the battle was now taking Americans +and insurgents toward a cane-brake. The rebels +still fought desperately, but they were beginning to +lose confidence, for the Americans were pushing +them hard.</p> +<p>But now came a cheer from the rear, and Company +B rushed up to the aid of Ben’s command. To the +young captain’s astonishment, Gilbert was in command, +all the upper officers being either killed or +wounded.</p> +<p>“Gilbert!” he called, but had no time to say +more. But the young Southerner heard and waved +the sword he had picked up. Soon the two companies +were fighting shoulder to shoulder, and the +enemy were driven out into the cane-field, and then +into a meadow. Here they tried to make a stand, +around an old rice-house, and it took another half +hour to dislodge them. But when they did retreat +at last, they went in great haste, many leaving their +weapons and outfits behind them.</p> +<p>The fighting over, Ben started to find the major. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +Gilbert accompanied him. Their first hunt for the +commander, however, was unsuccessful.</p> +<p>“It’s queer,” was Ben’s comment. “I trust he +isn’t dead in the bushes.”</p> +<p>The hunt gradually brought them to a trail +through the jungle, and presently Gilbert heard +a faint moan for help. Running in the direction, +they found a soldier of Company C lying on +some moss, his knee shattered from a Mauser +bullet.</p> +<p>“Oh, the pain!” groaned the poor fellow. +“Help me, won’t you?”</p> +<p>“We’ll do all we can for you,” answered Ben, and +while he went to work, Gilbert ran back to bring up +the hospital corps with a stretcher.</p> +<p>“You want to go after Major Morris,” said the +wounded soldier, as soon as he felt comfortable +enough to talk.</p> +<p>“We are looking for Major Morris,” replied +Ben, much astonished. “Where is he?”</p> +<p>“He was knocked over by one of the Dagos, +and then three of ’em carried him away.”</p> +<p>This was certainly news, and Ben waited impatiently +for Gilbert to get back. As soon as the +young Southerner returned, both asked the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span> +wounded soldier in what direction the captured +major had been taken.</p> +<p>“They went through the cane-brake,” was the +answer. “You’ll find the trail easily enough, I +think, if you look for it. One of the rebs wore +boots with high heels, so you can’t miss ’em.”</p> +<p>The wounded man did his best to point out the +right direction, and was then taken back to the +hospital tent. Without delay Ben called Ralph +Sorrel and half a dozen others to his aid.</p> +<p>“We must go after Major Morris, and at once,” +he said. “Are you ready to undertake the work? +It may be a dangerous proceeding.”</p> +<p>“We’re with yer, cap’n,” answered Sorrel, and +his sentiment was that of all of the others.</p> +<p>The trail into the cane-brake was followed without +much difficulty, and the party of eight advanced +as rapidly as the nature of the ground permitted. +The storm had cleared off the night before, and +the sun shone down hotly, making the air in the +brake suffocating.</p> +<p>“This yere is a putty big cane-brake, an’ no +error,” remarked Sorrel, after a quarter of a mile +had been covered. “Cap’n, it won’t do fer us to +turn ourselves about an’ git lost.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></div> +<p>“We’ll stick to the one trail,” answered Ben. +“As yet I’ve seen no side trails, although I’ve +been watching every foot of the ground that we +crossed.”</p> +<p>“Nor I, cap’n,—an’ don’t wan’t to, neither,” +added the tall mountaineer.</p> +<p>A little further on was a clearing, in the centre +of which stood a small cane-house. Halting on +the edge of the opening, they beheld several Filipinos +on guard outside the house. In the doorway, +with his back to the opening, stood Major Morris, +his hands bound behind him.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_TORNADO_IN_THE_CANEBRAKE' id='CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_TORNADO_IN_THE_CANEBRAKE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>THE TORNADO IN THE CANE-BRAKE</h3> +</div> +<p>“I reckon we have got ’em tight, cap’n,” came +from Sorrel, as the party of Americans came to a +halt and surveyed the scene before them.</p> +<p>“It depends upon how many of them there are,” +answered Ben. “Sorrel, supposing you skirt the +clearing and try to count noses.”</p> +<p>The Tennesseean was willing, and started off, +taking Gilbert with him. He was gone probably +ten minutes.</p> +<p>“Not more than ten at the most,” he reported. +“And of that number two are wounded and have +their arms in slings.”</p> +<p>“Any other prisoners besides Major Morris?”</p> +<p>“Not that we could see,” came from Gilbert. +“We could rush them easily enough if it wasn’t +for the major,” he added.</p> +<p>“We don’t want any harm to befall Major +Morris,” said Ben, thoughtfully. “If we— The +rebels have discovered us, look out!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></div> +<p>Ben had scarcely finished when a report rang +out and a bullet whizzed over their heads. One +of the soldiers outside of the cane-house had seen +two of the Americans and had fired upon them.</p> +<p>The discharge of the firearm caused Major Morris +to turn around, and as he did so Ben waved his cap +at his commander, and was recognized. Then two +of the insurgents hurried the major out of sight.</p> +<p>The Americans were not slow to return the fire; +and, although nobody was struck, the insurgents +lost no time in disappearing from view. A lull +followed, as both sides tried to determine what was +best to be done next.</p> +<p>“Here comes a flag of truce,” said Gilbert, presently, +as a rebel appeared, holding up a white rag. +“If I were you, I wouldn’t honor it.”</p> +<p>“I would like to hear what they have to say,” +replied Ben, quietly.</p> +<p>“But remember how they fired on the other flag +of truce,” insisted the young Southerner. “You’ll +be running your head into a lion’s mouth.”</p> +<p>“Sorrel, keep that man covered,” said Ben. “I +won’t move out any further than he does.”</p> +<p>“If you go, I’ll go with you,” said Gilbert, +promptly.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></div> +<p>He would not be put off, and together Ben and +he moved into the opening, Ben holding up a new +handkerchief as he walked. The rebel at once +halted, as if expecting them to come over to where +he stood.</p> +<p>“You come over here!” cried Gilbert, and waved +his hand.</p> +<p>There was a full minute’s delay, and then of a +sudden the rebel threw down his white flag and sped +toward the house. At the same time three reports +rang out, and Gilbert fell back, struck in the +shoulder.</p> +<p>“What did I tell you!” he gasped. “They are +treacherous to the last degree!” And then the +young Southerner fainted.</p> +<p>As just mentioned, three reports had rung out, +but only two had come from the house. The third +came from Ralph Sorrel’s weapon, and the man +who had carried the pretended flag of truce fell +dead in his tracks.</p> +<p>The dastardly attack angered Ben beyond endurance, +and leaving Gilbert resting comfortably on +some cut cane, he leaped to the front. “Come, +boys, we will root them out!” he cried, and ran on +toward the house as fast as he could, firing as he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +went. Sorrel was at his heels, and the others fired, +each “red-hot” as they afterward expressed it.</p> +<p>The insurgents saw them coming and fired several +shots, but nobody was struck, and in a trice the +house was surrounded. Then Major Morris came +bounding through a window, and it was Ben who +cut his bonds with a pocket-knife.</p> +<p>“I saw it all,” exclaimed the major. “Go for +them, men, every one of the rascals deserves death!” +And stooping over the dead rebel, he took from his +bosom a bolo and joined in the attack. “They are +a pack of cowards—a mere set of camp followers.”</p> +<p>The major was right; the rebels in the house +were no regularly organized body, and at the first +sign of real peril they fled by the back way, over a +ditch and straight for the nearest jungle. But our +friends were determined that they should not escape +thus easily, and pursued them for nearly half a mile, +killing one more and wounding three others. Long +afterward they learned that those who had thus forfeited +their lives were bandits from the mountains +back of San Isidro. They had joined the forces +under General Aguinaldo, merely for the booty to +be picked up in the towns through which the rebel +army passed.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span></div> +<p>As soon as the contest had come to an end, Ben +hurried back to where he had left Gilbert. The +wound from which the young Southerner was suffering +was painful, but not dangerous. Yet it was +likely to put Gilbert in the hospital for the best part +of a month.</p> +<p>“It’s too bad—I thought I could see the thing +through to the end,” said Gilbert, shaking his head +dolefully.</p> +<p>“You’ll have to take your dose as I did,” answered +Ben. “I am glad it is not serious. Our +regiment couldn’t afford to lose such a brave fellow +as you.”</p> +<p>“Brave? Didn’t I hang back until you proposed +to go out alone, Ben? If anybody was brave, it was +you,” and then Gilbert turned his face away to conceal +the pain that was coming on.</p> +<p>The hospital corps was so busy that Gilbert could +not be carried back of the firing line for some time. +Feeling that there would be no more fighting that +day, Ben decided to remain by his old chum, and +requested Sorrel to do likewise, leaving the others +to accompany Major Morris back to the command +proper. In the meantime, a skirmish line was +stretched to the north of the cane-brake, that the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +insurgents might not regain any of the lost territory.</p> +<p>It was frightfully hot, but scarcely had Major +Morris left with his party than a faint breeze sprang +up which gradually increased to a fair-sized wind. +Making Gilbert as comfortable as possible under +some of the tallest of the cane, Ben and Sorrel sat +down beside him to do what they could to help him +forget his pain.</p> +<p>The three had been sitting in the shade for the +best part of half an hour, and Sorrel was sharpening +his knife on the side leather of his shoe, when, +glancing up, Ben noticed a peculiar cloud in the sky +overhead.</p> +<p>“That looks rather queer,” he remarked. “Does +that denote a wind-storm, Sorrel?”</p> +<p>“It denotes something, that’s sartin,” responded +the mountaineer, surveying the cloud with care. +“It’s something I ain’t seed out yere yit,” and he +leaped to his feet.</p> +<p>The cloud was about as large as a barrel in appearance, +and of a deep black color. It seemed to +be whirling around and around, and as it came forward +began to expand. Then it shot off to the +southward, but not out of sight.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></div> +<p>“I’m glad it’s gone,” said Gilbert, who had +roused up to watch the strange thing. “I don’t +want to get caught in a western cyclone—and that +cloud looks like those I have heard described.”</p> +<p>“The rainy season is coming on here, and I presume +we are bound to have more or less tornadoes,” +answered Ben. “They say that last year they were +something awful along the seacoast.”</p> +<p>The cloud was circling around the southern horizon, +but now it turned once again and came slowly +toward them. While it was yet quarter of a mile +away, it shot down to earth and a strange humming +sound reached their ears, followed by a whistling +that caused each of them to shiver.</p> +<p>“It’s a whirlwind!” yelled Sorrel. “Come into +yonder hollow, cap’n!” and he caught hold of Gilbert +and lifted him up. The hollow he mentioned +was less than fifty feet away, yet to reach it in time +was almost impossible, so swiftly did the tornado +approach them. The air became black as night and +was filled with cane, grass, and branches of trees. +It struck the house in the clearing, and with a single +mighty crash the structure went up into the air, +to fall with another crash a hundred yards beyond.</p> +<p>Running with the tall Tennesseean, Ben pitched +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +into the hollow just as the first of the tornado hurled +itself at them. Down came the mountaineer, but +taking good care that Gilbert should not be hurt by +his quick leap. Then all fell flat, with their faces +to earth.</p> +<p>It was like some horrible nightmare to Ben,—the +whistling wind and the strange humming, the blackness, +and the whirling cane and tree limbs. In +some places the ground was furrowed up as by a +plough, and down on their heads came dirt and +grass, and then a shower of stalks that buried them +completely. And still the wind kept up, in a madder +gallop than ever. Ben felt as if every moment +was going to be his last.</p> +<p>The time was an age; yet by the watch it was not +yet five minutes when the tornado had departed, +leaving its track of ruin behind. But still the party +of three under the cane-stalks lay still, wondering if +it was safe to get up.</p> +<p>“Do yer calkerlate it’s over, cap’n?” came from +Sorrel, after a painful pause.</p> +<p>“It appears to be, but there is no telling what +such a thing will do next,” answered the young captain, +as he pressed on the stalks over him, and got +up. “Gilbert, are you hurt?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span></div> +<p>“No,” came with a gasp. “But, Ben, that was—was +a terror, wasn’t it?”</p> +<p>“It was, Gilbert, and something I never want to +witness again.”</p> +<p>By this time Sorrel was also on his feet and hauling +Gilbert into daylight. The cloud was gone, and +the sun shone as brightly as ever. But at a great +distance they saw the tornado sweeping up into the +mountains.</p> +<p>“We are well out of it,” was Ben’s comment, as +they watched the cloud until it was out of sight. +“That played sad havoc here. I wonder what it +will do in the mountains?”</p> +<p>No one could answer that question, and no one +tried. Ben would have been very much surprised +had anybody told him that the same tornado which +had visited him was also to visit his brother Larry. +But so it proved, as we shall speedily see.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV_THE_FLIGHT_FOR_LIBERTY' id='CHAPTER_XXIV_THE_FLIGHT_FOR_LIBERTY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>THE FLIGHT FOR LIBERTY</h3> +</div> +<p>“Well, this is getting too monotonous for anything.”</p> +<p>It was Larry who spoke, and he sat on the stump +of a tree at the mouth of a wide cave, gazing disconsolately +at a fire which several insurgents were +trying to build.</p> +<p>The place was on the top of a high hill, backed up +by still higher mountains. On every hand were +sharp rocks and trees, with a tangle of thorns. +Small wonder, then, that Aguinaldo and his cohorts +considered these fastnesses inaccessible for American +troops. No regular body could have gotten to such +a place, and to forward supplies hither was totally +out of the question.</p> +<p>The rebels numbered fifteen, all mountaineers and +strong. At General Luna’s request they had brought +ten prisoners to the spot, and the other prisoners +were to come up some time later. Why the Filipinos +thus divided the men they had taken is not definitely +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +known, yet divided they were, until some escaped +and others died or were given up.</p> +<p>Since Larry had been captured he had passed +through half a dozen different hands. It must be +said he had been treated fairly well, better, perhaps, +than many of my readers may suppose. To be sure, +his clothing was in rags and his shoes were almost +minus their soles, but in these respects he was no +worse off than those who kept him captive. Then, +too, the food given him was very plain, but the rebels +ate the same, and to complain, therefore, would have +been worse than useless.</p> +<p>Larry had missed Barton Brownell, for the pair +had been fairly friendly, as we know. With the +transferal to new quarters the young sailor had +struck up an acquaintanceship with Dan Leroy, one +of the <i>Yorktown’s</i> men, also a prisoner. A number +of the sailors from the <i>Yorktown</i>—in fact, a boatload, +had been captured, but Leroy had become separated +from his messmates at the very start.</p> +<p>“Yes, it is monotonous, lad,” said Leroy, who was +resting at Larry’s feet. “But, as I’ve said a hundred +times afore, we can’t help ourselves, consequently, +make the best on it. Ain’t that sound argyment, +lad?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></div> +<p>“I reckon so, Leroy, but—but—”</p> +<p>“When ye git as old as I am you’ll see things in a +different light. We can’t complain o’ the treatment +here, lad.”</p> +<p>“But I would like to know how the war is going, +and if my brother knows I am alive.”</p> +<p>“Reckon the war is goin’ agin the Tagals, or they +wouldn’t be a-pushing back into the mountains like +this.”</p> +<p>“It’s a wonder they don’t try to exchange us.”</p> +<p>At this Dan Leroy smiled grimly. “Might be as +how they consider us too vallyble,” he suggested. +He was a short, stout fellow, much given to joking, +and rarely out of good humor.</p> +<p>It was about the middle of the afternoon, and +from a long distance came the sounds of firing. +But the booming came from big field-pieces, so +Larry knew it must be far away, and so it gave him +small hope.</p> +<p>The rebels had just brought in some fresh meat, +procured from the town at the foot of the long hill, +and they speedily proceeded to make a beef stew +with rice and yams. The smell was appetizing, and +as nobody had had a square meal that day, Larry +brightened over the prospect.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span></div> +<p>The cave in the hillside was irregular in shape, +running back to a series of openings which nobody +had ever yet explored. In this cave the insurgents +kept some of their supplies, brought up from San +Fernando, San Isidro, and other places. It was a +fact that Aguinaldo hardly knew where to “jump” +next.</p> +<p>Before nightfall the dinner was ready, and the +chief of the rebels had the prisoners supplied with +bowls of the stew. “Eat all of eet,” he said, with +a grin. “For maybe no geet such t’ings to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“Thanks, we’ll fill up then,” responded Larry, +and set to with a will, as did all the other prisoners.</p> +<p>The captives were unarmed, and though the rebels +watched them, they were allowed more or less of the +freedom of the camp. Finishing his bowl of stew, +Larry leaned over to where Leroy sat.</p> +<p>“Leroy, if we can manage to get a kettle of that +stew, I’ll be for trying to get away to-night,” he +whispered.</p> +<p>“And how are ye going to get it, lad?” asked the +sailor.</p> +<p>“Wait and you will see,” was the answer, and +Larry arose and sauntered over toward the fire.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span></div> +<p>“I spilt some of the stew on the ground,” he said, +which was true, although the amount had not been +large. “Can I have more?”</p> +<p>“Yes, take what you will,” returned the insurgent +chief, who felt in good humor, through having +obtained a leave of absence, to start on the morning +following. “And give some to your friends. +We’ll fill up for once.”</p> +<p>“Thank you,” answered Larry, and hurried to the +other prisoners with the big pot from over the fire. +The prisoners had a large tin kettle for water, fitted +with a cover so that bugs might be kept out, and +this he filled to the brim, and also gave the others +all they wished.</p> +<p>“Going to eat all of that?” queried one of the +men, with a short laugh.</p> +<p>“Sometime—not now,” answered Larry. Then +he took the pot back to the fire and carried his bowl +and the kettle into the cave. At once Leroy +followed him.</p> +<p>“And now, what’s this nonsense you’re talkin’ +about running away?” demanded the <i>Yorktown</i> +sailor, as soon as they were alone.</p> +<p>“I’m going to try my luck to-night, Leroy. If +you don’t want to go, you can stay with the others.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span></div> +<p>“But how are you going? There’s a guard +around the foot of the hill, and they will shoot you +on sight.”</p> +<p>“I’m not going to try the foot of the hill—at +least, not this side of it.”</p> +<p>“Well, you can’t get to the other, for that cliff +over this cave is in the way.”</p> +<p>“I’m going to explore the caves back of this. +They must lead to somewhere.”</p> +<p>The old sailor shook his head. “More’n likely +they lead to the bowels of the earth. You’ll fall +into some pitfall, and that will be the end of +you.”</p> +<p>“I’ll light a torch as soon as I am out of sight of +this place, and I’ll be very careful where I step.”</p> +<p>“This cave may be as big as the Mammoth Cave +of Kentucky. You’ll get lost in one of the chambers +and never find your way out.”</p> +<p>“I’ll have to risk that. But I’m bound to try +it—if they give me the chance.”</p> +<p>“You’re foolish. Why, confound it, I’ve half of +a mind to report the scheme.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Leroy, surely you won’t do that.”</p> +<p>“I mean just to save you from yourself, Larry.”</p> +<p>“I don’t intend to remain a prisoner until I am +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +baldheaded, Leroy. I’m going to try to escape—and +that’s the end of it.”</p> +<p>“Will you take any of the others along?”</p> +<p>“If they want to go.”</p> +<p>“There won’t a soul go—and I know it,” responded +the stout sailor, in positive tones.</p> +<p>When the other prisoners came in, he told them of +Larry’s plan. One and all of them agreed it was +foolhardy.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe there is any opening,” said one. +“Or if there is, it’s so high up in the mountains that +you’ll never reach it.”</p> +<p>“And what are you going to do for eating? +That kettle of stew won’t last forever,” said +another.</p> +<p>So the talk ran on, but the more he was opposed, +the more headstrong did Larry become—and that, +as old readers know, was very much like him.</p> +<p>“I shall go, and good-bye to all of you,” he said, +in conclusion. And then he shook hands with one +after another, Leroy last of all. The <i>Yorktown’s</i> +man was trembling.</p> +<p>“I hate ter see ye do it, lad,” he said. “It seems +like going to death, but—but—hang it, I’ll go +along, so there!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span></div> +<p>“But you needn’t if you don’t wish to,” protested +the youth. “I am not afraid to go alone.”</p> +<p>“But I am a-going, and we’ll sink or swim +together, Larry. Who else goes?”</p> +<p>Dan Leroy, looked from one face to the next. +But not another prisoner spoke, for each had taken +a short walk to the rear caves and seen quite enough +of them. Then a guard came in, and the strange +meeting broke up immediately.</p> +<p>The prisoners lay down to rest, but not one of +them could go to sleep. All of the others were +waiting for Larry and Leroy’s departure. At last, +satisfied that all was right for the night, the guard +went outside, to join several of his companions +around the camp-fire.</p> +<p>“Now, then,” whispered Larry, and arose, to be +followed immediately by Dan Leroy. The kettle +secured, they hurried for the rear of the outer cave, +without so much as looking at the others, who raised +up to watch their shadowy disappearance.</p> +<p>The flight for liberty had begun. Would it succeed +or fail?</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV_THE_CAVES_UNDER_THE_MOUNTAIN' id='CHAPTER_XXV_THE_CAVES_UNDER_THE_MOUNTAIN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>THE CAVES UNDER THE MOUNTAIN</h3> +</div> +<p>For a distance of five hundred feet the way was +known to both Larry and his sailor friend, and the +pair passed along swiftly, guided in part by the flickering +rays from the camp-fire outside of the main +cave.</p> +<p>“Have a care now, lad,” whispered Leroy, as +they reached a narrow passage, which turned first +to the left and then upward. “The roof is low, +and you don’t want for to dash your brains out +on the rocks.”</p> +<p>“Never fear but I’ll be as careful as I can,” +responded the youth, feeling his way along. “Better +keep close, Leroy, that we don’t become separated.”</p> +<p>The turn made, it was no easy matter to ascend +the sloping floor, with here and there a rough +bowlder to cross, or a hollow in which one might +fall and break a leg without half trying, as the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +<i>Yorktown</i> sailor said. Presently Leroy called a +halt.</p> +<p>“Better light the torch now, Larry.”</p> +<p>“I was going to save it,” was the reply. “There +is no telling how long we may have to depend +upon it.”</p> +<p>“That is true; but it’s no longer safe to walk +in this pitchy darkness.”</p> +<p>Leroy was provided with matches, used in smoking +his pipe, which had not been denied him, and +striking one he set fire to an end of the dry cedar +branch which Larry had laid away over a week +before, when the thought of running away had first +crossed his mind. At the start the branch spluttered +wofully and threatened to go out, but by +coaxing it remained lit, and presently burst into a +flame that was sufficient to see by for a circle of +twenty or thirty feet.</p> +<p>On they plodded, up an incline that seemed to +have no end, and then around another turn. Here +the chamber widened out, and beyond there were +branches, two to the left and one to the right.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_8' id='linki_8'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus258.jpg' alt='' title='' width='334' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +On they plodded, up an incline that seemed to have no end.—<i>Page 236.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>“This is as far as I’ve ever been,” said the boy. +“The passages beyond seemed to lead downward +for part of the way, and it’s impossible to judge +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +which is the best to take. But I was of a mind to +try that one on the right.”</p> +<p>“Well, I reckon as how the right ought to be +right,” laughed Leroy. “If it ain’t, all we can do +is to come back to here an’ try over again, eh?”</p> +<p>“We haven’t got time to waste in experimenting, +Leroy. This is a serious business. We are liable +now to be shot on sight.”</p> +<p>“An’ nobody knows thet better nor Dan Leroy, +your humble servant. An’ if you say try one o’ +the other passages, I’m jes’ as willin’.”</p> +<p>“No, we’ll take that on the right,” returned the +youth, and started onward without further delay.</p> +<p>The passage was a crooked one, not over ten +feet wide in any one part, and but little over the +height of a man. At one place a great rock blocked +the way, and over this they went on their hands and +knees.</p> +<p>“Kind o’ a tight squeeze,” remarked Leroy. +“If that rock war a bit bigger, we wouldn’t be +able to git over it at all.”</p> +<p>“Hark!” cried Larry, coming to a halt. “What +is that, somebody calling?”</p> +<p>They listened, and from a distance ahead made +out a low murmur of some kind. “It’s water +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +running over the rocks,” cried Leroy. “I hope +it’s a river leading to the outer world.”</p> +<p>“Oh, so do I!” ejaculated the boy, and both +started onward eagerly. Long before the fall of +water was gained they found themselves splashing +in an underground stream up to their ankles. The +waterfall was underground, coming from the rocks +overhead and running into the stream, which, in +turn, sank out of sight some distance further on.</p> +<p>“Nothing in that,” muttered Leroy, his face +falling.</p> +<p>Nevertheless, they stopped for a drink, for the +tramp through the caves had made them thirsty. +The old sailor held the torch, while Larry carried +the kettle. It was well that the top of the kettle +was on tight, otherwise the contents would have +been spilled long before this.</p> +<p>Beyond the waterfall the cave opened out once +more in fan shape, the roof running upward to +a high arch, from which hung stupendous stalactites +of white and brown. Here the water dripped +down in the form of a fine rain.</p> +<p>“We’re in a shower, lad, even though we are +underground,” remarked Leroy. “I must say I +hope this don’t last. If it does, we’ll soon be wet +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +to the skin.” The vaulted cave soon came to an +end, however, and now they found themselves in +an opening cut up into a hundred different chambers, +like a coal mine supported by arches. Each +looked at the other in perplexity.</p> +<p>“We can easily miss the way here,” said Larry, +soberly. “We had better lay out a course and +stick to it.”</p> +<p>“Right you are, lad.” Leroy pointed with his +hand. “This seems as good a trail as any. Shall +we follow it?”</p> +<p>“Yes.” And forward it was again. Presently +they came to another chamber, and here the slope +was again upward, much to their satisfaction. “If +we keep on going upward, we are bound to get +out at the top, sometime,” was the way Larry +calculated.</p> +<p>Climbing now became difficult, and in a number +of places each had to help the other along. Then +came a wall twelve feet high, and here they were +compelled to halt.</p> +<p>“It looks as if we were blocked,” remarked the +<i>Yorktown</i> sailor after an examination.</p> +<p>“I’m not going to give up yet,” answered the +boy. “If we can’t get up any other way, we can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +build a stairs with those loose stones we just +passed.”</p> +<p>“Hurrah! you’ve solved the difficulty!” exclaimed +the old sailor, and they set to work with a will. +But rolling and lifting the stones into place was +no mean job, and when at last they were able to +pull themselves to the passageway above, both were +utterly worn out and glad enough to sit down. +The rest lasted longer than either had intended, +for Leroy, who had not slept well the night +before, dozed off, and Larry was not of a heart to +wake him up. So the boy went to sleep too, and +neither awakened until early morning.</p> +<p>“Hullo! what’s this?” cried Leroy, the first to +open his eyes. All was so dark about him—Larry +having extinguished the torch—that for the +minute he could not collect his senses. Putting +out his hand he touched the youth on the face, +and Larry awoke instantly.</p> +<p>They were both hungry, and lighting the torch +again, warmed up the kettle of stew, and then ate +about one-third of the stuff. “Touches the spot,” +cried Leroy, smacking his lips. He could have +eaten much more, but knew it was best to be careful +of their supply until the outer world was gained.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></div> +<p>Much refreshed by their sleep, but somewhat +stiff from the dampness and the unaccustomed +work of the evening before, they proceed on their +way, still climbing upward and still in a darkness, +that was only partly dispelled by the feeble glare +of the torch, which was now growing alarmingly +small.</p> +<p>“The light won’t last more than a couple o’ +hours,” said Leroy. “Perhaps we had better split +the stick in two.” This was done, and thus the +feeble light was reduced one-half.</p> +<p>Would the caves never come to an end? Such +was the question Larry asked himself over and +over again. Was it possible that they were to +journey so far only to find themselves trapped at +last? The thought made him shiver, and he +pushed on faster than ever.</p> +<p>“Do you know what I think?” said Leroy, an +hour later. “I think we are moving around in a +circle?”</p> +<p>“A circle?”</p> +<p>“Ay, lad. Don’t you notice how the passageway +keeps turning to the right?”</p> +<p>Larry had noticed it. “But we are going +upward,” he said.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span></div> +<p>“True; but who knows but what we’ll be going +downward presently.”</p> +<p>Still they kept on, but now Larry’s heart began +to fail him. They had progressed so far, had +made so many turns, that to get back would probably +be impossible. The caves were so vast one +might wander about in them forever—if one’s +food did not give out. Larry shivered again and +clutched the precious kettle of stew tighter than +ever. He was once more hungry, but resolved to +wait until the pangs of hunger increased before +reducing the stock of food.</p> +<p>The passageway was now level for a considerable +distance, with here and there a rock to be +climbed over or a crack to cross. Both had just +made a leap over an opening several feet wide +when Leroy set up a shout.</p> +<p>“What is it?” asked Larry, eagerly.</p> +<p>“Put the torch behind ye, lad, an’ look ahead. +Perhaps my eyes deceive me,” answered the old sailor.</p> +<p>Larry did as requested, and gave a searching +look up the passageway. No, there was no mistaking +it—there was a faint glimmer of light +coming from what appeared to be a bend. He, +too, gave a shout, and both set off on a run.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></div> +<p>As they sped onward the light became brighter +and brighter, until the torch was hardly needed. +They were running side by side, each trying to +gain the outer air first.</p> +<p>“Look out!” suddenly yelled Leroy, and caught +Larry by the arm. The old sailor could hardly +stop, and had to throw himself flat, dragging the +boy down on top of him.</p> +<p>A few feet beyond was an opening twelve to +fifteen feet wide, running from side to side of the +passageway. The walls of the opening were perpendicular, +and the hole was so deep that when a +stone was dropped into it they could scarcely hear +the thing strike bottom.</p> +<p>“Here’s a how-d’ye-do!” cried Leroy, gazing +into the pit. “We can’t jump across that, nohow!”</p> +<p>“A real good jumper might,” answered Larry. +“But I shouldn’t want to try it. The other side +seems to slope down toward the hole. What’s to +be done?”</p> +<p>Ah, that was the question. It looked as if their +advance in that direction was cut off completely.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI_BOXER_THE_SCOUT' id='CHAPTER_XXVI_BOXER_THE_SCOUT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3>BOXER THE SCOUT</h3> +</div> +<p>Much chagrined, man and boy stood on the +brink of the chasm before them and gazed at the +other side. It was sloping, as Larry had said, and +wet, which was worse. A jump, even for a trained +athlete, would have been perilous in the extreme.</p> +<p>“Looks like we were stumped,” remarked Leroy, +laconically.</p> +<p>“And just as we were so near to yonder opening!” +cried Larry, vexed beyond endurance. “If +we only had a plank, or something.”</p> +<p>He looked around, but nothing was at hand but +the bare stone walls, with here and there a patch of +dirt and a loose stone. He walked to one end of +the hole.</p> +<p>“A fellow might climb along yonder shelf if he +were a cat,” he said dismally. “But I don’t believe +a human being could do it.”</p> +<p>“No, and don’t you go for to try it,” put in the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +old sailor. “If you do, you’ll break your neck, sure +as guns is guns.”</p> +<p>“Well, we’ve got to do something, Leroy.”</p> +<p>“So we have; an’ I move we sit down an’ eat a +bite o’ the stew. Maybe eatin’ will put some new +ideas into our heads.”</p> +<p>“I’d rather wait until we gain the open air.”</p> +<p>“But we can’t make it—yet—so be content, lad. +It’s something to know thet the blue sky is beyond.”</p> +<p>They sat down, and soon finished one-half of +what remained of the mess in the kettle. Never +had anything tasted sweeter, and it was only by +the exercise of the greatest self-control that they +kept back a portion of the food.</p> +<p>“Perhaps we’ll have to go back, remember that,” +said Leroy, as he put the cover on the kettle once +more.</p> +<p>“Go back? No, no, Leroy! I’ll try jumping +over first.”</p> +<p>“I don’t think I shall. Thet hole— What’s +that?”</p> +<p>A sound had reached the old sailor’s ears, coming +from some distance ahead. It was the sound +of footsteps approaching.</p> +<p>“Somebody is coming!” whispered Larry, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span> +crouched down. Then a man put in an appearance, +coming from the opposite end of the passageway. +He was an American soldier, hatless and +almost in tatters.</p> +<p>“Hullo there!” cried Larry, leaping up. “Oh, +but I’m glad you came!”</p> +<p>At the cry the soldier stopped short in amazement. +Larry’s words echoed and reëchoed throughout +the passage. He looked toward the pair at the +chasm, but could make out little saving the torch +which Leroy was holding.</p> +<p>“Who calls?” he asked at last.</p> +<p>“I called,” answered the boy. “Can’t you see +us? We are two lost sailors, and we can’t get +over this beastly hole. Come this way, but be +careful of where you step.”</p> +<p>“You must be Americans by your voices. Am +I right?”</p> +<p>“Yes; and you are an American, too,” said +Larry, as the soldier came closer. Soon he stood +facing them, with a look of wonder on his bronzed +features.</p> +<p>“How did you get here?” he demanded.</p> +<p>“It’s a long story,” answered Leroy. “We escaped +from some rebels at the other end of this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +cave, and we’ve been wandering around since last +night. Are you alone, or are our forces outside +of this hole?”</p> +<p>“General Lawton’s troops are a good many miles +from here,” answered the soldier. “I am one of +his scouts, and I became separated from our command +and got up here to escape being hunted +down by the crowd of Filipinos that was after +me. They are in the woods just outside of this +hole.”</p> +<p>“Then you are all alone?” said Larry, his face +falling a little.</p> +<p>“Yes, although I think a couple of our men +must be in this vicinity. We are pressing the +rebels pretty hard, you know.”</p> +<p>The scout’s name was George Boxer, and he +was one of the best marksmen in Chief Young’s +command. He listened to their story with interest, +and at once agreed to do what he could for +them. They noted with satisfaction that he was +provided with both a rifle and a pistol, and also +a belt well filled with ammunition.</p> +<p>It was an easy matter for Boxer to make his +way into the open air and find a fallen tree limb +of sufficient thickness to throw over the chasm +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +as a make-shift bridge. As soon as the limb was +secure, Larry and Leroy came over, and then the +party of three made their way to the mouth of +the cave.</p> +<p>It was a welcome sight to see the sky again +and the sunshine, and Larry’s eyes sparkled as +he gazed down the mountain-side and at the vast +panorama spread out before him. At their feet +was a heavy jungle, and beyond a plain and a +small hill, where a large body of insurgents were +encamping.</p> +<p>“It’s good to be in the fresh air again, eh, +lad?” observed Leroy. “But I’m afraid we’ll +have a good bit o’ trouble gettin’ past them +rebels,” he added to George Boxer.</p> +<p>“We can’t get past them in the daytime,” +answered the scout; “but I think we can make +it after the sun goes down. And it will take us +till sundown to get to the bottom of this mountain, +if I am not mistaken.”</p> +<p>Now they were in the open, it was decided to +discard the kettle; and the three ate up what +remained of the stew, along with the single ration +which Boxer carried. Then they began the descent +of the mountain-side, slipping over rocks +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span> +and dirt as best they could, and finding their +way around many an ugly pitfall.</p> +<p>“I suppose you think it’s queer I came up +so far,” said Boxer, as they hurried downward. +“The truth is I was so closely pursued I didn’t +realize how far I was going. Those rebels can +climb the mountains like so many wildcats. I’m +afraid we’ll never clean them out if they take +a stand up here.”</p> +<p>It was hot, and now Leroy gazed from time to +time at the sky. “A storm or something is coming,” +he said.</p> +<p>“Yes, something is coming,” added Boxer. “I +can tell it by the way the birds are flying about. +They seem to be troubled.”</p> +<p>“I see a cloud away off to the southward,” +put in Larry. “It’s not large, but it’s mighty +black.”</p> +<p>No more was said just then upon the subject; +and they continued their journey down the mountain-side +until they came to a fair-sized stream, +where they quenched their thirst and took a +wash. They were about to go on again when +Boxer held up his hand as a warning.</p> +<p>“Great gophers, boys, we are running right into +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +a nest of the rebels!” he whispered. “Back with +you, before it is too late.”</p> +<p>They looked ahead and saw that the scout was +right. They started to go back; and as they +turned, a Mauser rang out and a bullet clipped +the bushes beside them.</p> +<p>“Discovered!” came from Leroy’s lips. “Larry, +I’m afraid the jig is up. Those Filipi—”</p> +<p>Crack! It was Boxer’s rifle that rang out, and +as the scout was a sharpshooter, it may be taken +for granted that he brought down his man. Then +the three set off on a run along the side of the +mountain to where a slight rise of ground promised +better hiding.</p> +<p>“We can’t do much against such a crowd,” said +the scout. “But in a good spot we can hold out +awhile, provided one of you can use my pistol.”</p> +<p>“I can fire tolerably straight,” answered Leroy, +and took the weapon. Soon the rise was gained, +and they plunged in behind a tangle of pines. +The Filipinos were following them, although taking +good care not to expose themselves needlessly +to the fire of such a crack marksman as Boxer +had proved himself to be.</p> +<p>From behind the tangle of growth, the three +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span> +Americans watched the skilful advance of the +enemy with dismay. “They are trying to surround +us!” whispered Boxer. Then like a flash +his rifle went up. The report was followed by +a yell of pain, and a Filipino fell into view from +behind a tree less than fifty yards distant. The +poor fellow was hit in the side, but managed to +crawl back into cover again, groaning dismally.</p> +<p>Leroy also fired, a second later, aiming at a +tall Tagal who was crossing a clearing to their +left. If he hit his mark, the rebel gave no sign, +but the man disappeared in a great hurry. Then +came a crashing through the bushes below and +to the left, proving that the Filipinos were massing +in those directions.</p> +<p>“Perhaps we had better try to crawl away from +this—” began Larry, when a humming sound +caught his ear. At the same time the sky grew +black.</p> +<p>“Look! look!” yelled Leroy. “What is this—the +end of the world?”</p> +<p>All looked up. The humming had increased to +a whistle, and now came a crashing of trees and +brush mingled with the wild cries of the Filipinos +as they rushed away toward a near-by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +mountain stream. They knew what was coming, +even if our friends did not.</p> +<p>And then the tornado was almost upon them. +I say almost, for, thanks to an all-ruling Providence, +it did not strike them fairly, but rushed +to one side, where the Filipinos had been gathering. +The light of day seemed to die out utterly, +and the air was filled with flying débris and +screaming birds and wild animals made homeless +on the instant. The very earth seemed to quake +with the violence of the trees uprooted, and +branches and dirt flew all over the Americans, +until they were buried as completely as Ben and his +companions had been. Larry thought it was indeed +the end of the world, and breathed a silent prayer +that God might watch over him and those he loved.</p> +<p>At last the rushing wind ceased, and the crashing +was lost in the distance. But the birds kept up +their wild cries, and for several seconds neither +Larry nor those with him moved, wondering if that +was the end of the tornado, or if worse was to +follow. But it was the end, and gradually they +came forth one after another, to gaze on the mighty +wreckage about them. It was Leroy who raised his +hand solemnly to heaven.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span></div> +<p>“I thank God that we have been spared,” he said, +and Larry and the scout uttered an amen.</p> +<p>Whether or not to leave the vicinity was a question. +At last, seeing no more of the enemy, they +plucked up courage enough to move down the +mountain-side once more. But the tornado had +made the passage more difficult than ever, and several +times they had to turn back. Nightfall found +them still some distance from the plain, with yet +another jungle to pass before the open would be +gained.</p> +<p>“We might as well make a night of it here,” said +Boxer, and footsore and weary Larry and Leroy +agreed with him. It was not long before all +dropped asleep, too tired to stand guard, and hardly +deeming that one was necessary.</p> +<p>The tornado had killed numerous birds and small +animals, and it was easy to pick up a plentiful +breakfast.</p> +<p>“I don’t know about making a fire,” said Leroy. +“Those rebels may spot us before we are aware.”</p> +<p>Yet they were too hungry to go without eating, +and in the end they built a fire of the driest wood +they could find, and while Boxer cooked the birds, +Larry and the old sailor scattered the smoke with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +their jackets, so that it might not go up in a cloud, +and also kept their eyes open for the possible +appearance of the rebels. But the tornado had +scared the insurgents as much as it had anybody, +and not one showed himself.</p> +<p>By eight o’clock they were once more on the +way, Boxer leading with his gun ready for use, +Larry in the centre, and Leroy bringing up the rear +with the pistol.</p> +<p>They were just entering the jungle at the foot +of the mountain when a strange moaning reached +their ears and all halted. There was a silence, and +then the moaning started up again.</p> +<p>“What is that?” questioned Larry. “It can’t be +a human being.”</p> +<p>“I think I know what it is,” returned the scout. +“Wait here till I make sure,” and he glided ahead +and was soon lost to sight under a clump of tall +trees which grew in somewhat of a clearing. Soon +they heard him shouting for them to come on.</p> +<p>It was a water buffalo that was moaning. The +beast had become caught under a partly fallen tree +and could not release itself. It was a handsome +animal and weighed a good many hundred pounds.</p> +<p>“Here’s meat and to spare!” cried Boxer, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +drawing forth a hunting knife, he put the caribao +out of his misery in short order. “This is some +more work of that tornado,” he went on, as he proceeded +to cut out a choice steak. “We won’t starve +for the next forty-eight hours.”</p> +<p>“I hope by that time we’ll have reached the +army,” answered Larry, and took the portion of +meat handed to him. It was not a dainty thing to +carry, but he had to shoulder it, since Boxer and +Leroy were carrying the weapons.</p> +<p>As they proceeded, the jungle appeared to become +more dense, until it was next to impossible to make +any progress. Yet they felt that each step was +bringing them closer to the open plain and to a +point where few natives were likely to be congregated. +“If we once get down to the bottom, we’ll +be all right,” said Boxer.</p> +<p>But the scout had not reckoned on the fact that +there was a hollow at the base of the mountain, and +that the heavy rains had filled this full to overflowing. +It was Larry who first called attention to the +fact that the ground was growing damp. Then of +a sudden the whole party stepped into the water up +to their ankles.</p> +<p>Here was a new dilemma to face, and each looked +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span> +at the others in anything but a happy mood. +“Beats everything what luck we’re having!” cried +Leroy, in deep disgust. “I’d give a year’s pay to +be safe on board the <i>Yorktown</i> agin, keelhaul me if +I wouldn’t!”</p> +<p>“I suppose the best thing we can do is to march +around the swamp-hole,” replied Larry. “What do +you say, Boxer?”</p> +<p>“Let us try it a bit further,” replied the scout, +and they moved forward with care. At first the +ground appeared to grow better, but then they went +down again halfway to their knees and in a muck +that stuck to them like glue.</p> +<p>“It’s no use, we’ll have to go back,” groaned +Leroy, and turned about. Silently the others followed +him, wondering where the adventure would +end.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII_THE_DEPARTURE_OF_THE_OLYMPIA' id='CHAPTER_XXVII_THE_DEPARTURE_OF_THE_OLYMPIA'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3>THE DEPARTURE OF THE <i>OLYMPIA</i></h3> +</div> +<p>The advances of both General MacArthur and +General Lawton had been so far nothing but a series +of successes, and so hard were the insurgents pressed, +that they scarcely knew what to do next. Again +they sued for peace, but as the Americans were not +inclined to grant them anything until they had surrendered +unconditionally, the war went on, but in +more of a guerilla-fight fashion than ever.</p> +<p>Near San Fernando the rebels continued to tear +up the railroad tracks, and likewise attacked a train +of supplies, killing and wounding several who were +on board. They also attacked several gunboats +coming up the San Fernando River, keeping themselves +safely hidden, in the meantime, behind high +embankments thrown up along the stream. While +this was going on General Aguinaldo called a council +of war, at San Isidro, at which fifty-six of his main +followers were present. By a vote it was found +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +that twenty were for peace, twenty for war, and +sixteen wished to negotiate with the United States +for better terms. This gathering gave rise to a +rumor that the war would terminate inside of forty-eight +hours. Alas! it was still to drag on for many +months to come.</p> +<p>The day after the tornado found Ben safe in camp +again, with Gilbert in the hospital receiving every +attention. It was Sunday, and a day of rest for the +majority of the troops. At a small tent a short +service was held, and Ben walked over, to hear a +very good sermon on man’s duty toward God under +any and all circumstances. The sermon was followed +by the singing of several hymns, and the +soldiers remained at the spot for an hour or more +afterward, talking over the general situation.</p> +<p>“It always takes me back home to hear the +preachin’,” remarked Ralph Sorrel. “I’m mighty +glad we have it. It shows we ain’t no heathens, +even though we air livin’ a kind o’ hit-an’-miss life +a-followin’ up these yere rebs.”</p> +<p>On Monday the scouts went out to the front, and +a small brush was had with a number of the insurgents +in the vicinity of San Miguel de Mayumo. +They reported that the Filipinos had a number of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +intrenchments placed across the roads, but seemed to +be retreating toward San Isidro.</p> +<p>“If Aguinaldo makes a stand anywhere, it will be +at San Isidro,” said Ben to Major Morris, as the two +discussed the situation. “Oh, but I do wish we +could have one big battle and finish this campaign!”</p> +<p>“How about the big battle going against us?” +demanded the major, but with a twinkle in his +eye.</p> +<p>“It would never go against us,” answered the +young captain, promptly, “and the insurgents +know it. That is why they keep their distance.”</p> +<p>The scouts had brought in a dozen or more prisoners, +and among them were a Filipino and a +Spaniard, both of whom could speak English quite +fluently. As soon as he could obtain permission, +Ben hurried over to have a talk with the prisoners.</p> +<p>He found that the Filipino had belonged to those +having some of the American prisoners in charge.</p> +<p>“And do you know anything of my brother?” +he asked eagerly. “He is a young sailor from the +<i>Olympia</i>, and his name is Larry Russell.”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes, I know him,” answered the Filipino, +nodding his head. “He was at the cave where they +have kept some of the prisoners for a long time.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span> +And he described Larry so minutely that Ben felt +there could be no mistake about the matter.</p> +<p>“Is my brother well? How do they treat him? +Please tell me the truth.”</p> +<p>“You may not believe it, but we treat our prisoners +good,” said the Filipino. “And when I saw +your brother last he was very well.”</p> +<p>“And where is this prison cave?”</p> +<p>At this the insurgent shrugged his shoulder. +“Now, <i>capitan</i>, you are asking me too much. I am +pleased to tell you that your brother is safe. More +than that I cannot tell, for it would not be right.”</p> +<p>This was not encouraging, yet Ben could not help +but admire the prisoner’s loyalty to his cause. +“Very well,” he said. “I am thankful to know +that my brother is well. I was afraid that prison +life might make him sick.”</p> +<p>A little later the young captain got the chance +to talk to the Spanish prisoner, who was making +an application for his release, claiming that he was +friendly to the United States and had never encouraged +the rebels. Seldom had the young captain met +more of a gentleman than Señor Romano proved +to be.</p> +<p>“Ah, the war is terrible! terrible!” said the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span> +señor, after Ben had introduced himself. “It is +bloodshed, bloodshed, all the time. Where it will +end, Heaven alone knows—but I am afraid the +Filipinos will be beaten far worse than was my own +country.”</p> +<p>“I think you are right there,” replied Ben. “But +we can’t do anything for them now until they lay +down their arms.”</p> +<p>“The war has ruined hundreds of planters and +merchants,—whole fortunes have been swept away,—and +the insurgents have levied taxes which are +beyond endurance. To some, Aguinaldo is their +idol, but to me he is a base schemer who wants +everything, and only for his own glory. But he +cannot hold out much longer,—you are pressing him +into the very mountains,—and once away from the +civilization of the towns, his followers will become +nothing but <i>banditti</i>—mark me if it is not so.”</p> +<p>“You are a resident of Luzon?” went on Ben.</p> +<p>“Hardly. I belong in Spain—but I have lived +here for several years.”</p> +<p>“Do you know one Benedicto Lupez, or his +brother José.”</p> +<p>At this question the brow of Señor Romano +darkened.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span></div> +<p>“Do I know them? Ah, yes, I know them only +too well. They are rascals, villains, cheats of the +worst order. I trust they are not your friends.”</p> +<p>“Hardly, although I should like first-rate to +meet them, and especially to meet Benedicto.”</p> +<p>“And for what? Excuse my curiosity, but what +can an American captain and gentleman like you +have in common with Benedicto Lupez?”</p> +<p>“I want to get hold of some bank money that +he carried off,” answered the young captain, and +told the story of the missing funds and the part +the Spaniard was supposed to have played in their +disappearance.</p> +<p>“It is like Lupez,” answered Señor Romano. +“He is wanted in Cuba for having swindled a +rich aunt out of a small fortune; and in Manila +you will find a hundred people who will tell you +that both brothers are rascals to the last degree, +although, so far, they have kept out of the clutches +of the law—through bribery, I think.”</p> +<p>“Not during General Otis’s term of office?”</p> +<p>“No; before the city fell into your hands. The +government was very corrupt and winked at Lupez’s +doings so long as he divided with certain +officials.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span></div> +<p>“And what did he work at?”</p> +<p>“Land schemes and loan companies. He once +got me interested in a land scheme, and his rascality +cost me many dollars, and I came pretty +near to going to prison in the bargain.” Señor +Romano paused a moment. “If your troops take +San Isidro, you will have a good chance to catch +both of the brothers.”</p> +<p>“What! do you mean to say they are at San +Isidro?” exclaimed the young captain.</p> +<p>“They are, or, at least, they were two or three +days ago. How long they will stay there, I cannot +say. They were at the council of war held +by Aguinaldo’s followers.”</p> +<p>“I see.” Ben mused for a moment. “Of +course you do not know if they had the stolen +money with them?”</p> +<p>“They appeared to have some money, for both +were offered positions in the army, and that would +not have happened had not they had funds to +buy the offices with. They appeared to be very +thick with a general named Porlar,—a tricky +fellow of French-Malay blood. I believe the three +had some scheme they wished to put through.”</p> +<p>“Well, I’d like to catch the pair. I wonder +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span> +if Aguinaldo would keep them around him, if he +knew their real characters?”</p> +<p>At this Señor Romano laughed outright. “You +do not know how bad are some of the men around +the arch rebel, <i>capitan</i>. He has some bad advisers, +I can tell you that. To some of the worst +of the crowd, Aguinaldo is but a figurehead.”</p> +<p>The pair discussed the matter for half an hour; +and during that time Ben became convinced that +Señor Romano had small sympathy for the insurgents, +and was certainly not of their number.</p> +<p>“I will do what I can for you, señor,” he said, +on parting. “I do not believe you will be kept +a prisoner long.” And the young captain was +right on this score; the Spanish gentleman was +released inside of forty-eight hours, and journeyed +to Manila in company with a detachment bound +for the capital of Luzon.</p> +<p>The two talks made Ben do a good deal of +sober thinking. He now knew to a certainty that +Larry was alive and well, and he knew also that +Benedicto Lupez was at or near San Isidro, and +more than likely had the stolen money on his +person. “I wish we could push ahead without +delay,” he muttered. “I might make a splendid +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +strike all around. I know Larry is just aching +to be at liberty once more.”</p> +<p>But supplies were again slow in coming to the +front, and General Lawton did not feel like risking +his men when the Filipinos might surrender at +any moment. So a delay of several days occurred, +with only a little skirmish here and there to +break the monotony.</p> +<p>“Hullo, here’s news!” cried Major Morris, as +he rushed up to Ben’s quarters one morning. +“Dewey is going to sail for the United States.”</p> +<p>“With the <i>Olympia</i>?” queried the young captain.</p> +<p>“Yes. The warship leaves next Saturday, with +all on board. Won’t he get a rousing reception +when he arrives home?”</p> +<p>“Larry won’t be with him,” said Ben.</p> +<p>“By Jove, captain, that’s so. It’s too bad, isn’t +it? I suppose he would like to go, too.”</p> +<p>“I can’t say as to that. Perhaps he would just +as lief stay here and join some command on land, +or some other ship, especially if he knew that my +brother Walter was coming on. But I am sure +he would like to see his old messmates off,” concluded +Ben.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span></div> +<p>Admiral Dewey started for the United States +at four o’clock in the afternoon of Saturday, May +20. The departure proved a gala time, the harbor +and shipping being decorated, and the other warships +firing a salute. The bands played “Auld +Lang Syne,” “Home, Sweet Home,” and “America,” +and the jackies crowded the tops to get a +last look at the noble flagship as she slipped down +the bay toward the China Sea, with the admiral +standing on the bridge, hat in hand, and waving +them a final adieu. In all the time he had +been at Manila, Admiral Dewey had served his +country well, and his home-coming was indeed to +be one of grand triumph.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII_THE_ADVANCE_UPON_SAN_ISIDRO' id='CHAPTER_XXVIII_THE_ADVANCE_UPON_SAN_ISIDRO'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +<h3>THE ADVANCE UPON SAN ISIDRO</h3> +</div> +<p>“Why, Luke Striker, is it possible! I thought +you had sailed for the United States on the +<i>Olympia</i>.”</p> +<p>“Well, ye hadn’t no right to think that, captain,” +responded the old gunner, as he shook +hands warmly. “It might be that the others +could go away and leave Larry behind, but he’s +too much my boy for me to do that—yes, sirree. +When I hears as we were to set sail for the States, +I goes up to the admiral himself, an’ says I: +‘Admiral,’ says I, ‘do you remember how Larry +Russell an’ yer humble servant comes on board of +the <i>Olympia</i>?’ says I. ‘Yes,’ says he. ‘I remember +it well,’ says he. ‘Well,’ says I, ‘Larry is +ashore, a prisoner of the enemy,’ says I. ‘I don’t +want to go for to leave him, nohow. Can’t you +leave me behind,’ says I. And he laughs and +asks me all about Larry, and finally says I can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +go ashore and report to Rear Admiral Watson—who +is comin’ on—sometime later. And here I +am, come to the front, to find Larry, ef sech a +thing is possible.”</p> +<p>The old sailor’s honest speech went straight to +Ben’s heart, and he saw very plainly how deep +was Luke’s affection for his younger brother. +“You’re a messmate worth having, Luke!” he +exclaimed. “I don’t wonder Larry thought so +much of you.”</p> +<p>“Avast, I’m only a common sea-dog at the best, +captain,—an ef I remained behind to cast around +fer the lad, ye mustn’t think thet Jack Biddle an’ +the others have forgotten Larry, fer they ain’t, not +by a jugful. Every man jack o’ them is his friend, +an’ was, almost from the start.”</p> +<p>Luke had come up to the camp by way of +Malolos, accompanying a pack-train of caribao +carts carrying rations and army equipments. He +had left the <i>Olympia</i> several days before, and had +not waited to witness the departure of the flagship.</p> +<p>As Luke wished to remain with Ben, the latter +lost no time in presenting the matter to Colonel +Darcy and to Major Morris, and Luke was taken +into the regiment camp as a cook, for he had once +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +been a cook on a merchantman, years before. The +position was largely an honorary one, and the +sailor was permitted to leave his pots and kettles +whenever he pleased.</p> +<p>“It’s good news,” he said, when the young captain +had told him what the prisoners had said +about Larry and Benedicto Lupez. “I’ve an idee +we’ll get to Larry soon, an’ down thet tarnal Spaniard +in the bargain.”</p> +<p>The conversation took place on Tuesday. On +Wednesday orders came to strike camp, and the +march of the regiment was taken toward San +Isidro by way of Baluarte, a small village seven +miles to the southeast of the new rebel capital. +In the meantime, although the Americans were +not aware of it, Aguinaldo was preparing to decamp, +with his so-called congress, into the mountain +fastnesses, still further northward.</p> +<p>“We are in for another fight,” said Major +Morris, as he came to Ben that afternoon. “And +I’ve an idea it is going to be something to the +finish.”</p> +<p>“That means, then, that we are bound for San +Isidro!” cried the young captain. “Hurrah! +that’s the best news I’ve heard in a week.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span></div> +<p>The regiment was soon on the road, spread out +in proper battalion form. The day was close, and +it looked as if a thunderstorm was at hand. The +growth along the road was thick, and at certain +points the overhanging branches had to be cut off +that the troops might pass. The trail was bad, +and often a gun, or wagon, had to stop so that a +hole might be bridged over with bamboo poles. +Here and there they passed a nipa hut, but these +places were deserted, excepting in rare instances, +where an aged native would stand at the door, +holding up a white rag as a signal of surrender, +or to show that he was an <i>amigo</i>, or friend.</p> +<p>“It’s pitiable,” said Ben to Major Morris, as +they trudged along side by side. “I reckon some +of these ignorant creatures have an idea that we +have come to annihilate them.”</p> +<p>“You can be sure that Aguinaldo and his followers +have taught them something like that,” +replied the major. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t look +so terrified.”</p> +<p>At one point in the road, they came to a tumble-down +hut, at the doorway of which rested a woman +and her three small children, all watching the soldiers +with eyes full of terror. Going up to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span> +woman, Ben spoke kindly to her, but she immediately +fled into the dilapidated structure, dragging +her trio of offspring after her.</p> +<p>“You can’t make friends that way,” cried Major +Morris. “They won’t trust you. I’ve tried it more +than once.”</p> +<p>There was now a hill to climb, thick with tropical +trees and brush. The regiment had scarcely +covered a hundred feet of the ascent, when there +came a volley of shots from a ridge beyond, which +wounded two soldiers in the front rank.</p> +<p>“The rebels are in sight!” was the cry. “Come +on, boys, let us drive ’em back! On to San Isidro!” +And away went one battalion after another, +fatigued by a two miles’ tramp, but eager to engage +once more in the fray. It was found that the insurgents +had the ridge well fortified, and General +Lawton at once spread out his troops in a semicircle, +in the hope of surrounding the ridge and +cutting off the defenders from the main body of +Aguinaldo’s army.</p> +<p>Ben’s regiment was coming, “head on,” for the +top of the ridge. The way was over ground much +broken by tree-stumps, rocks, and entangling vines, +that brought many a soldier flat.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span></div> +<p>“Sure, an’ it’s a rigular fish-net!” spluttered +Dan Casey, as he tried in vain to rise, with vines +ensnaring both arms and legs. “I don’t know but +phwat a fellow wants a wire-cutter here, just as they +had ’em in Cuby to cut the wire finces wid.”</p> +<p>“Nefer mind, so long as we got by der dop of +dot hill,” answered Carl Stummer, as he hauled his +mate out of the entanglement. “Be dankful dot +you ain’t parefooted by dem dorns.” And on went +both once more. There was many a slip and a +tumble, but very little grumbling.</p> +<p>“Down!” The cry came from the front, and +down went Ben’s company into a little hollow, +for the rebels had them in plain view now, and +the two lines were less than three hundred yards +apart. A volley from the insurgents followed, +but nobody was struck.</p> +<p>“Forward twenty-five yards!” cried Ben, and +up went the company for another dash. It was +a soul-trying moment, and none felt it more than +the young commander, who ran on ahead to inspire +his men. He knew that at any instant a +bullet might hit him to lay him low forever. But +his “baptism of fire” had been complete, and he +did not flinch.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span></div> +<p>“Hot work, this!” The words came from Gilmore +as he came up the hill close to Ben. “It’s +going to be no picnic taking that ridge.”</p> +<p>“True, Gilmore; but it’s got to be done,” +answered the young commander. “Down!” he +shouted, and again the company fell flat. Then +began a firing at will, which lasted the best part +of ten minutes. The insurgents, likewise, fired, +and a corporal and a private were wounded and +had to be carried to the rear.</p> +<p>Looking around, Ben espied Luke Striker in the +ranks of Company D. The old sailor had provided +himself with a rifle and an ammunition belt, +and was popping away at a lively rate.</p> +<p>“I couldn’t help it,” said Luke, when the young +captain came up to him. “It’s the best fun I’ve +had sence thet air muss in Manila Bay, when we +blowed old Montojo out o’ the water, off Cavite. +Say, but we’ll git to the top o’ the hill afore +long, jes’ see ef we don’t!” And Luke blazed +away again, and so Ben left him.</p> +<p>The rest of the battalion was now closing in, +and soon another advance was made, until the +first line of the American troops was less than +a hundred and fifty yards away from the insurgents’ +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span> +outer intrenchments. Then a yell came +from a jungle on the left.</p> +<p>“What’s that? more rebels?” cried Ben, and +listened.</p> +<p>“No, no, the Filipinos are retreating!” came +from a score of throats. “See, they are scattering +like sheep! Up the hill, fellows; the fight +is ours!” And a regular stampede occurred, each +command trying to get to the top of the ridge +first. The rebels were indeed retreating into a +thicket behind the ridge. They went less than +half a mile, however, and then made another +stand, this time on the upper side of a mountain +stream,—the very stream at which Larry and his +companions had stopped after the escape from the +caves under the mountain.</p> +<p>To ford the stream would have been an easy +matter under ordinary circumstances, but with the +rebels guarding the upper bank, it was extremely +hazardous, and the regiment came to a halt on +the edge of the brush overhanging the water.</p> +<p>“They are straight ahead, boys,” said Major +Morris, after his scouts had reported to him. +“We will make a detour to the right. Forward, +and on the double-quick!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span></div> +<p>Every soldier felt that delay would mean a +serious loss, and a rapid rush was made through +the jungle to a point where the stream became +rocky and winding. Here an excellent ford was +found, and they went over in column of fours. +They could now enfilade the rebels’ position, and +this they did so disastrously that the Filipinos +speedily threw down a large part of their arms +and fled helter-skelter into the mountain fastnesses +still further to the northward.</p> +<p>The battle over, the battalion came to rest +under the shade of the trees lining the stream, +many of the soldiers throwing themselves down +in a state bordering upon exhaustion, for the +humidity in the air told upon them greatly. +There was not a breath of a breeze, and the +water hardly quenched the thirst that raged +within them. As Major Morris declared, ‘It +was the primest place to catch a fever in’ he +had ever seen.</p> +<p>Ben was sitting at the foot of a tall tree talking +to Gilmore, when he saw the advance guards +bringing in two Americans, one evidently a sailor. +At once he sprang to meet the sailor, thinking +the man might know something about Larry.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span></div> +<p>The two men proved to be Dan Leroy and +Boxer, the scout, and when he mentioned his +brother’s name to them, both were of course +astonished.</p> +<p>“Do we know him!” cried Leroy. “Sure and +didn’t he and I run away together from the +rebels, and Boxer, here, helping us to get out of +the prison caves. Yes, yes, I know Larry well.” +And then Leroy told of the escape from the caves, +and of how all three of the party had become +lost in the swamp lands.</p> +<p>“We were in the swamps two days, and thought +we would never get out,” he continued. “Luckily, +we had some caribao meat with us; otherwise +we should have starved to death. The swamps +were full of mosquitoes and lizards and lots of +other things, and we were almost eaten up alive, +eh, Boxer?”</p> +<p>“So we were,” replied the scout.</p> +<p>“But what of my brother?” asked Ben, impatiently.</p> +<p>At this the faces of both of the men fell.</p> +<p>“We can’t say what became o’ him,” said the +sailor from the <i>Yorktown</i>. “You see, after we +got out of the swamp, we determined to stick to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span> +the high ground until we found a regular trail +leading to the south. Well, our walk took us +up to a high cliff overlooking a gorge filled with +trees and bushes. We were walking ahead, with +Larry at our heels, as we thought, when Boxer +chanced to look around, and the boy was gone.”</p> +<p>“Gone!” gasped Ben, in horror.</p> +<p>“Yes, gone! We couldn’t understand it, and +called to him, but he didn’t answer. Then we +went back about quarter of a mile, past the spot +where we had seen him last, and fired the pistol +as a signal. But he had disappeared totally, and +we couldn’t find hide nor hair o’ him, try our +level best.”</p> +<p>The confession was a sickening one, and for +several minutes Ben could not trust himself to +speak.</p> +<p>“And—and what do you think became of +my brother?” he asked, at length.</p> +<p>Both men shrugged their shoulders. “I’m afraid +he fell over the cliff,” said Boxer. “You see, the +footpath was narrow and mighty slippery in spots.”</p> +<p>At once Ben’s mind went back to that scene in +far-away Cuba, when Gerald Holgait had fallen +over a cliff. Had a similar fate overtaken his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span> +brother? and if so, was he still alive or had he +been dashed to his death?</p> +<p>“How far is that spot from here?” he demanded +abruptly.</p> +<p>“Not over a mile, cap’n,” answered Boxer.</p> +<p>“I see you are a scout. Can you take me to +the place?”</p> +<p>“Certainly—but—but—it’s mighty risky, cap’n—so +many rebs lurking about.”</p> +<p>“Never mind—I must find Larry, alive or dead. +Take me to him, and I’ll pay you well for your +services.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t asking a cent, cap’n—that ain’t my +style.”</p> +<p>“Then you will take me?”</p> +<p>“I will,” said Boxer, promptly. “Only I’ll +have to report first and get official permission.”</p> +<p>“Major Morris will arrange that for you, I feel +certain,” answered Ben, turning to the major, who +sat near, drinking in the conversation.</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ll arrange that,” said the major. “But +I don’t see how I am going to do without you, +captain.”</p> +<p>“Would you keep me from looking for my +brother?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span></div> +<p>“No, no, go ahead, and Gilmore can take the +company.”</p> +<p>So it was arranged; and inside of quarter of an +hour Ben and Boxer were ready to depart.</p> +<p>“Captain, can’t I go with ye?” It was Luke +Striker who asked the question. The anxious look +on his face spoke more eloquently than words, and +Ben consented without argument.</p> +<p>And so the three set off on the search for Larry, +little dreaming of the strange happenings in store +for them.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX_LARRY_IS_SENTENCED_TO_BE_SHOT' id='CHAPTER_XXIX_LARRY_IS_SENTENCED_TO_BE_SHOT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<h3>LARRY IS SENTENCED TO BE SHOT</h3> +</div> +<p>To go back to Larry, at the time mentioned by +Dan Leroy, when the boy had been following the +old sailor and the scout along the cliff overlooking +the valley in which both the Filipino and the +American troops were encamped.</p> +<p>The adventures in the swamp had been exceedingly +tiring, and the youth could scarcely drag +one foot after the other, as the party of three +hurried along over rocks and through thickets +which at certain points seemed almost impassible.</p> +<p>“O dear! I’ll be glad when this day’s tramp +comes to an end,” he thought. “I wonder how far +the American camp is from here?”</p> +<p>He tried to look across the valley, but there was +a bluish vapor hanging over trees and brush which +shut off a larger portion of the view. The party +had been walking over a trail which now brought +them directly to the edge of the cliff. Here the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span> +footpath was scarcely two feet wide, and was backed +up by high rocks and thorn bushes, around which +it was difficult to climb without injury.</p> +<p>The men were as tired as the boy, and it must +be confessed that for a half hour or more they +paid little attention to Larry. Gradually the +youth lagged behind, until those ahead were lost +to view around a sharp turn of the cliff.</p> +<p>And it was then that an accident happened +which put Larry in great peril all in an instant. +In trying to make the turn, the boy got hold of a +slender tree by which to support himself. Leroy +and Boxer had grasped the same tree, and their +swinging around had loosened its frail hold on +the rocks, and as Larry grasped it, down went +the sapling over the edge of the cliff, carrying the +youth with it.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_9' id='linki_9'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus304.jpg' alt='' title='' width='334' height='500' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +Down went the sapling over the edge of the cliff.—<i>Page 281.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>The boy had no time to cry out, and he clung +fast, not knowing what else to do, until the tree +landed with a mighty crash on the top of another +tree at the foot of the cliff. The sudden stoppage +caused Larry to loose his hold, and he bumped +from limb to limb in the tree below until he struck +the ground with a dull thud; and then for the time +being he knew no more.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span></div> +<p>When the boy came to his senses, he found it +was night and pitch dark under the thick tree, +through the branches of which he had fallen. He +rested on a bed of soft moss, and this cushionlike +substance had most likely saved him from fatal +injury.</p> +<p>His first feeling was one of bewilderment, his +next that his left foot felt as if it was on fire, +with a shooting pain that ran well up to his knee. +Catching hold of the foot, he felt that the ankle +was much swollen, and that his shoe-top was ready +to burst with the pressure. Scarcely realizing what +he was doing, he loosened the shoe, at which part +of the pain left him.</p> +<p>“I suppose I ought to be thankful that I wasn’t +killed,” he thought, rather dismally. “I wonder +where Leroy and that scout are? I don’t suppose +it will do any good to call for them. The top of +that cliff must be a hundred feet from here.”</p> +<p>The fall had almost finished what was left of +Larry’s already ragged suit, and he found himself +scratched in a dozen places, with a bad cut over +one eye and several splinters in his left hand. +Feeling in his pocket, he found several matches which +Leroy had given him on leaving the prison cave, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +and he lit one of these and set fire to a few dried +leaves which happened to be ready to hand.</p> +<p>The light afforded a little consolation, and by its +rays the boy made out a pool of water not far off, +and to this he dragged himself, to get a drink and +then bathe the ankle. This member of his body had +been so badly wrenched that standing upon it was +out of the question, as he speedily discovered by a +trial which made him scream with pain.</p> +<p>“I’m in for it now,” he thought. “With such an +ankle as this, I can’t go on, and what am I to do +here, alone in the woods and with absolutely nothing +to eat? I’d be better off in a Filipino prison.”</p> +<p>Slowly the night wore along, until a faint light in +the east announced the coming of day. During the +darkness the jungle had been almost silent, but now +the birds began to tune up, and here and there +Larry heard the movements of small animals, although +none of the latter showed themselves.</p> +<p>It was more pleasant under the big tree than +down by the pool, and as daylight came on, Larry +dragged himself back to his first resting-place. As +he came up to the tree he saw a broken branch resting +there and on it a bird’s nest containing half a +dozen speckled eggs.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span></div> +<p>“Here’s a little luck, anyway,” he murmured, and +taking some of the tree limbs, he made a fire and +cooked the eggs in the hot ashes. When they were +done, he broke off the shells and ate the eggs, and +although the flavor was by no means to be prized, +yet they did much toward relieving the hunger he +had felt before taking the fall over the cliff.</p> +<p>The day that followed was one which Larry says +he will never forget, and for good reason. Neither +human being nor beast came near him, and even the +birds flying overhead seemed to give him a wide +berth. Time and again he cried out, but the only +answer that came back was the echo from the cliff, +repeating his own words as if in mockery. Occasionally +he heard firing at a great distance, but +toward nightfall even this died out. He could +scarcely move from his resting-place, and it was not +until darkness came on that the pain in his ankle +subsided sufficiently to allow of his sleeping in +comfort.</p> +<p>The long sleep did the boy a world of good, and +when he awakened he found the swelling in his +ankle gone down, along with much of the pain, and +on getting up he found that he could walk, but it +must be slowly and with care. He was again +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span> +hungry, and his first effort was to supply himself +with something to eat.</p> +<p>To bring down even a small animal was out of the +question, but he thought he might possibly knock +over a bird or two, and with this in view cut himself +several short, heavy sticks. The birds were coming +down to the pool to drink, and watching his chance +he let fly with the sticks and managed to bring +down two of the creatures, and these formed the +sum total of his breakfast, although he could have +eaten twice as many. There were a number of berries +to hand, but these he refrained from touching, +fearing they might be poisonous.</p> +<p>Larry felt he must now go on. To gain the top +of the cliff was out of the question, so he decided to +strike out directly for the southwest, feeling that +this must sooner or later bring him into the American +lines. To be sure, he had first to pass the Filipinos, +but this could not be helped, and he felt that +the best he could do would be to keep his eyes and +ears open and walk around any body of the enemy +that he might discover, instead of trying to steal his +way straight through. This would require many +miles of walking, and on the sore foot, too, but this +hardship would have to be endured.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span></div> +<p>Half a mile was covered in a slow and painful +fashion, when Larry reached a small clearing, and +here he sat down to rest on a fallen tree and to +examine the ankle, which he was afraid was again +swelling. He was engaged in looking at the +wounded member, when a rough Tagalog voice +broke upon his ears.</p> +<p>“What do you here?” demanded a heavy-set +native, in his own tongue, as he strode forward, gun +in hand, followed by several others.</p> +<p>Larry was startled and leaped up. In a twinkling +he found himself surrounded, and several +Mausers were levelled at his head.</p> +<p>To resist would have been the height of foolishness, +and Larry did not try. The Tagals asked him +a number of questions in their own tongue, but he +shook his head to show them that he did not understand. +On their part, not one could speak English, +so neither party could communicate with the other.</p> +<p>The natives, however, soon understood that he +was alone, and when he pointed to his ankle and +limped, also understood that he had sprained that +member. One went into the bushes, and presently +returned with some leaves, which he crushed and +packed inside of the boy’s stocking. The juice of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span> +the leaves proved very cooling, and presently much +of the pain from the sprain went away.</p> +<p>The Tagals were bound for the cliff, but by a +route different from that which Larry had travelled. +As the boy was unarmed and could scarcely hobble +along, they did not take the trouble to bind him in +any way. He was made to march with half of the +crowd before him and the others behind; and thus +they proceeded until the cliff was reached, at a point +where the jungle hid a series of rough steps leading +to the top. Beyond the top of these steps was a +mountain trail, which by nightfall brought them to a +plateau where were encamped at least three hundred +Filipinos of all classes, the Tagals predominating.</p> +<p>A shout went up as Larry appeared, and he was +at once recognized as one of the prisoners who had +escaped from the caves, which were fully four miles +away.</p> +<p>“So they have caught you again?” remarked an +under-officer, as he strode up with a sinister smile on +his swarthy countenance. “You did not get very +far.”</p> +<p>“No, I had a bad fall and lamed my foot,” replied +Larry, as cheerfully as he could. He was never one +to “cry over spilt milk.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span></div> +<p>“A fall? Where?”</p> +<p>“I fell over the high cliff just below here.”</p> +<p>“And you live to tell it? Impossible!”</p> +<p>“No, it is true. I fell into a large tree, and that +broke my fall. But I was badly scratched up, and +my ankle was sprained.”</p> +<p>“A rare fall truly, boy. It would have been +better, though, if you had been killed.”</p> +<p>“Thank you; I like that!”</p> +<p>“I say it because you are a prisoner who has +tried to escape from us. Do you know the fate of +all such?”</p> +<p>At these words Larry could not help but shiver. +He knew what the officer up at the cave prison had +said,—that any prisoner trying to escape would +be shot at the first opportunity which presented +itself.</p> +<p>“Surely, you would not kill me for trying to +get away?” he cried quickly.</p> +<p>The under-officer shrugged his shoulders. “It +is not for me to change our regulations of war, +boy. Your words prove that you knew beforehand +the risk you were running.”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes—but— You would try to get away +too, if our soldiers caught you.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span></div> +<p>“Possibly—I understand you treat your prisoners +very badly.”</p> +<p>“Our prisoners are treated as well as yours. +And we would not kill a Filipino for having tried +to escape,—unless, of course, he was shot in the +attempt.”</p> +<p>“It is you who say that—I have heard vastly +different stories; how our men were starved and +shot down without mercy,—not one man, but hundreds +of them. I have it from friends in Manila +that your General Otis is a monster who would +rather kill than save at any time.”</p> +<p>“Your friends have told you that which is not +true!” exclaimed Larry, warmly. “If anything, +General Otis is too kind-hearted, especially with +those who have done their best to put the city in +a state of rebellion and those who have tried to +burn it to the ground. I suppose your friends had +a purpose in telling you what was not true.”</p> +<p>“I take my friends’ words in preference to yours, +boy,” was the angry answer. “Who are you that +come to take our country away from us—the +country that we tried so hard to liberate from the +iron grasp of Spain? The land is ours, and no +Americans shall govern us. We will fight to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span> +last,—from the cities to the towns, and from the +towns to the villages, and then to the mountains, +from one island to another,—and you shall never +conquer us, no matter how large an army you send +from across the ocean. But, bah, I am talking to +a mere boy, when I might have better sense.” +And turning on his heel the under-officer strode +away, out of humor with himself as well as with +Larry.</p> +<p>The youth felt utterly crushed, and sitting down +on a rock, with a heart as heavy as lead, he wondered +what was going to happen next. Would +they really shoot him? The thought was agony +itself.</p> +<p>There were no other prisoners in the camp, so +he was left for a long time alone, although several +soldiers kept their eyes upon him, that he might +not wander away. Soon supper was served, and +one of the Tagals brought him a bowl of rice and +meat. It must be confessed that he was now tremendously +hungry, and ate all of what was given +him, despite his down-heartedness.</p> +<p>The meal finished, the Filipinos were sitting +around their camp-fires, when a certain General +Drummo was announced. At once there was a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span> +parade, which the general reviewed with satisfaction. +The newcomer was served with supper, and +then Larry was brought before him.</p> +<p>The general had his head full of his plans for +the morrow and gave the boy but scant attention.</p> +<p>“You knew the risk you ran when you stole +away,” he said, in broken English. “It is true you +are but a boy, yet I’ll wager you can use a gun +better than some of our own men. I cannot pardon +you, for that would be setting a bad example. +So I hereby sentence you to be shot at sunrise +to-morrow,—and may your death be an example +to others who are thinking of escape.”</p> +<p>Before Larry could say a word, if indeed he +wanted to speak, he was led away to a hollow back +of the camp. Here he was tied fast to a tree, and +two soldiers were detailed to guard him until the +hour for his execution should arrive.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXX_A_RESCUE_UNDER_DIFFICULTIES' id='CHAPTER_XXX_A_RESCUE_UNDER_DIFFICULTIES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> +<h3>A RESCUE UNDER DIFFICULTIES</h3> +</div> +<p>“Nothing here, cap’n.”</p> +<p>It was Boxer the scout who spoke. For two +hours he, Ben, and Luke Striker had been examining +the trail running along the cliff. They could +find footprints without number, but no trace of +Larry.</p> +<p>“He must have gone somewhere,” replied Ben, +who could not bring himself to give up the hunt. +“He wasn’t spirited away. I’ve a good mind to +make a hunt at the bottom of the cliff.”</p> +<p>“As you will, cap’n. But, remember, this air +side o’ the valley is full of rebs, and if they catch +us—”</p> +<p>“We must be on our guard, Boxer.”</p> +<p>“I’ve got my eyes wide open,” put in Luke. +“I reckon on it as how I can see as far as any on +’em, too.”</p> +<p>The walk to the cliff had not been accomplished +without difficulty. Twice had they come close to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span> +running into the Filipino pickets, and once Luke +had been almost certain they were being followed, +but the alarm proved false. A night had been +spent in the jungle, and at a point within half a +mile of where Larry lay senseless under the big tree!</p> +<p>The hunt had revealed to the party the series +of rough steps mentioned in the last chapter, and +down these they now went and continued their +search at the base of the cliff.</p> +<p>“What’s this?” came from the old sailor, presently, +and he pointed to the broken sapling hanging +in the branches of the big tree. With the +sapling was a shred of a garment, fluttering in +the breeze like a signal of distress.</p> +<p>A close examination caused them to reach a +conclusion which was, as we already know, true; +namely, that Larry had come down with the sapling +and landed in the big tree.</p> +<p>“And he wasn’t killed, either,” said Boxer. +“For here is where he built a fire and cooked +some birds’ eggs.”</p> +<p>“And he visited the pool, too,” added Ben, +examining the tracks with care. “Funny tracks +these,” he added, a second later.</p> +<p>“He was hopping on one foot,” announced the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span> +scout, gravely. “That looks as if he had one leg +hurt.”</p> +<p>It was an easy matter to follow the trail through +the jungle, for the ground was damp and covered +with a moss which was torn with ease. Soon they +reached the clearing where Larry had stopped to +examine his ankle.</p> +<p>“Hullo, more footprints!” ejaculated Boxer, his +face falling. “And rebs, too, I’ll wager a new hat. +Cap’n, I’m afraid your brother has run into worse +trouble.”</p> +<p>“It certainly looks like it,” answered Ben. +“Where do the footprints lead to?”</p> +<p>Where but back to the very rocks down which +they had come but a few hours before! Soon they +were back at the top of the cliff again.</p> +<p>Before leaving the valley Boxer studied the footprints +closely, and now, although there were other +footprints above, he followed the party having +Larry in charge without making a single error. +But it was slow work, and the encampment of the +Filipinos was not discovered until nightfall.</p> +<p>“We’ve tracked ’em to a finish,” announced +Boxer. “Don’t go any further, cap’n—unless +you are ready to do some tall shooting.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span></div> +<p>“I can do some shooting if it’s necessary,” +answered Ben, with a determined look on his face +which was not to be mistaken. “I should like to +make sure my brother is here.”</p> +<p>“We’ll walk around the camp and see,” said +Boxer, and this they did, slowly and cautiously, +each with his weapons ready for immediate use. +But the Filipinos were busy eating their suppers +and smoking cigarettes, and did not discover them.</p> +<p>“There’s Larry!” cried Luke, after a while. +And he pointed to one side of the camp. The +guards were just taking the lad to the general to +be sentenced.</p> +<p>“Yes, yes!” answered Ben. He handled his +pistol nervously. He could hardly restrain himself +from rushing forward and embracing the long +lost. Boxer saw what was in his mind and held +him back.</p> +<p>“Don’t be rash, cap’n,” whispered the scout. +“If you are, it may cost all of us our lives.”</p> +<p>“I will try to be careful,” was the answer, with +an effort. “But what are they going to do with +him?”</p> +<p>“They are taking him over to yonder tent.”</p> +<p>Soon Larry disappeared inside the tent, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span> +they crouched behind the bushes to await developments. +While waiting, Ben made a mental calculation +of the number of the enemy.</p> +<p>“A battalion, or more,” he said to Boxer. “I +wonder what they are doing so far from the main +body of the troops?”</p> +<p>“Oh, their army is becoming badly scattered, +cap’n. General Lawton has ’em on the run, and +there won’t be any of ’em left when he gets through +with ’em.”</p> +<p>As we know, the scene in the tent was a short +one, and soon they saw Larry come out again, and +saw him tied to the tree. The two soldiers +detailed to guard him sat on either side of their +prisoner, on rocks about six or eight yards from +the tree.</p> +<p>“He seems to be the only prisoner in the camp,” +whispered Ben. “I wonder if I can’t crawl up +and cut him loose. I did that once for Gilbert +Pennington.”</p> +<p>“No, no!” interposed Boxer. “Those guards +are wide awake and will shoot you in a minute. +Wait till it gets darker—we may get a chance to +do something then.”</p> +<p>Slowly the minutes drifted by, Ben watching +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span> +Larry every instant. He saw that his younger +brother was exceedingly tired and held one foot +up as if in pain. The young sailor had asked +if he might not lie down, but this comfort had +been denied him.</p> +<p>Both of the guards were puffing vigorously on +their cigarettes, when one chanced to throw down +a lighted match close to the rock upon which he +was sitting. It set fire to some dry grass, but +instead of putting it out, the guard watched the +tiny conflagration grow stronger.</p> +<p>“Playing with fire, eh?” said his mate, lightly.</p> +<p>“Yes,” was the slow answer. “How I would +like to see Manila go up like that!”</p> +<p>“Yes, I would like to see that, too, Carlos, and +the Americans in the flames. Ah, but the day +when we are to take the capital seems a long +way off now.”</p> +<p>“Never mind; Aguinaldo says he is soon to +have reënforcements from the south. When they +come, let the American dogs beware!”</p> +<p>The talk was carried on in the Tagalog dialect, +so Larry understood not a word. In the +meantime, the fire crept up, making the guard’s +seat anything but comfortable.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span></div> +<p>“That’s too much,” he observed, and was on +the point of kicking the fire out with his foot, +when of a sudden he uttered a wild yell that +startled everybody near him. “A snake! a snake! +Oh, what a long creature!”</p> +<p>For from under the rock a huge reptile had +glided, roused up by the heat. It was a snake +peculiar to those mountains, and all of ten feet +long and as thick as a man’s arm. It struck the +guard in the knee, and then whipped around in +increased anger, for its tail had come in contact +with the fire.</p> +<p>“A snake!” echoed the second guard, and fired +his Mauser at the reptile. But he was too excited +to shoot straight, and the bullet glanced +along the rock and struck the first guard in the +cheek, inflicting a fairly serious wound.</p> +<p>The cries of the two guards’ were taken up on +all sides of the camp, and especially in the vicinity +of the rock from under which the reptile had +appeared. All the soldiers recognized the snake +as a dangerous enemy; and as the reptile moved +about, first one and then another ran to get out +of its way, several in the meantime taking hasty +shots at it, but failing to do any serious damage. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span> +For several minutes the prisoner was entirely forgotten.</p> +<p>It was Ben who saw the opportunity,—Ben and +the ever-faithful Luke,—and rushing up, they cut +Larry’s bonds and fairly hustled him into the +depth of the jungle behind the encampment. The +young sailor could hardly understand what was +taking place, but when he recognized his brother +and his old messmate, he gave a shout of joy.</p> +<p>“You, Ben! and Luke! Oh, I must be dreaming!”</p> +<p>“No, you are not dreaming, Larry. We’ve +been watching you for a long while, trying to +do something. Can you run?”</p> +<p>“No; I sprained my ankle, and it is still sore.”</p> +<p>“I’ll carry him,” said Luke. “You lead the +way, cap’n. And Boxer had better bring up the +rear guard.”</p> +<p>“Right you are,” came from the scout. “Have +your weapons ready, cap’n. We may catch it hot, +in spite of the alarm over the snake. Those rebs +will be as mad as hornets when they find the +lad is missing.”</p> +<p>Away they went, Ben trying to find an easy +path,—which was no small thing to do in that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span> +utter darkness,—and Luke coming up behind, +breathing like a porpoise, but vowing he could +carry Larry a mile were it necessary. Boxer +kept as far to the rear as he dared without missing +their trail, and the life of any Filipino who +might have appeared would not have been worth +a moment’s purchase at the scout’s hands.</p> +<p>They had covered but a few hundred yards +when the shouting and firing at the encampment +ceased. “I guess the snake is dead,” said Ben. +“Now they’ll be after us.”</p> +<p>The young captain was right; and soon they +heard the enemy breaking through the jungle in +detachments of three or four men each, all hot-footed +to recapture the prisoner. They had observed +the cut ropes and wondered if it was +possible that Larry had severed them without +assistance.</p> +<p>It was not long before Boxer got a good shot +at the nearest of the pursuers. His aim was true, +and the Tagal went down without so much as a +groan. His companions stopped short, and then +called some other soldiers to the scene. “The boy +is armed and shoots like a sharpshooter,” they told +each other; and after that the search was continued +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span> +with extra care. Of course Boxer kept +out of sight; and as soon as he could, he joined +Ben and the others.</p> +<p>“I think there must be a stream close at hand,—the +one we crossed a few days ago,” said he. “If +we can get to that, we’ll have some chance to hide.”</p> +<p>“Let’s get to it, then,” gasped Luke, who felt +that he could keep up but a short while longer.</p> +<p>“I’ll take Larry, Luke,” put in Ben, and the +transfer was made, in spite of the old sailor’s +protests. Then Luke plunged ahead and soon +announced that he could see the river through +the bushes to the right. Soon they came out on +some rocks. The stream was a mountain torrent, +a rod wide and from two to three feet deep. +They plunged in without delay.</p> +<p>As they could not walk against such a current, +they followed the stream on its downward course +almost to the edge of the cliff, where the torrent +formed a pretty series of waterfalls. Then they +crossed to the other side, and climbed into a tree +growing directly at the water’s edge,—a species +of willow, with long, drooping branches.</p> +<p>“We ought to be safe here—at least for +a while,” said Boxer.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span></div> +<p>“It’s hard to tell where one would be safe +here,” answered Ben. “The whole country seems to +be invested with scattered bands of the insurgents.”</p> +<p>He asked Larry about himself, and in a few +words the younger brother told his story. Then +Boxer stopped the talk.</p> +<p>“In a situation like this, it’s best to have only +ears and eyes,” he said, and all saw at once the +aptness of the remark.</p> +<p>But though they remained on guard the larger +part of the night, nobody came to disturb them, +and the only sound that broke the stillness was +that of the water as it tumbled over the rocks below.</p> +<p>Ben was much worried over Larry’s ankle, which +had begun to swell again through having stood +so long on it while being tied to the tree. He +brought a canteen of water up from the stream +and bathed it with this. This moistened the +mashed-up leaves once more, and then the injured +member felt better, and Larry caught a nap.</p> +<p>“I reckon we had better be moving again,” +said Boxer, while it wanted yet an hour to daylight. +“Those rebs may be waiting for to see us, +you know.”</p> +<p>“Well, my brother can’t run, so perhaps it will be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span> +just as well if you take a scout around and see if the +coast is clear,” said Ben.</p> +<p>“Certainly, cap’n.” And Boxer made off without +delay, moving through the jungle and along the +stream as silently as some wild animal in search of +its prey.</p> +<p>Fifteen minutes and more passed, and they began +to wonder when the scout would come back, when a +low whistle reached their ears.</p> +<p>“It’s all right,” came from Boxer.</p> +<p>“Nobody in sight?” questioned Ben.</p> +<p>“Nary a reb, cap’n.”</p> +<p>“I’m glad of it,” put in Larry, with a sigh of +relief. “I never want to fall in with them again!” +And he shuddered. He would never forget how +close he had been to death at their hands.</p> +<p>They came down the tree, and after a drink +from the stream, set out again, this time following +the watercourse over the rocks until the cliff was +left behind. Here they struck a bit of marsh and +had to make a detour, finally coming out, much to +their surprise, on what appeared to be a regular +highway through the forest.</p> +<p>“Now, if we only knew where this leads to,” +cried Ben.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span></div> +<p>“I reckon it leads to San Isidro,” came from Boxer. +“But we may be a good number of mil—”</p> +<p>“Look! look!” ejaculated Striker, pointing up +the road. “The rebels, as sure as you air born! +An’ they air comin’ about a thousand strong, too. +Boys, we air lost!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXI_THE_FALL_OF_SAN_ISIDROCONCLUSION' id='CHAPTER_XXXI_THE_FALL_OF_SAN_ISIDROCONCLUSION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> +<h3>THE FALL OF SAN ISIDRO—CONCLUSION</h3> +</div> +<p>Luke Striker was right; a large force of Filipinos +were sweeping down the road at a rapid rate, +bringing with them two old field-pieces and a +rapid-firing gun. They were commanded by several +officers on horseback, and presented a formidable +appearance to the worn-out Americans.</p> +<p>“Out of sight, quick!” The cry came from Ben. +“It’s our only chance to escape.”</p> +<p>The words had scarcely left his lips when the +pop-pop of several Mausers was heard, as the Filipino +sharpshooters, who were in advance of the +main body, opened fire upon them. Their aim was +excellent, and both Striker and Boxer were hit, +although neither seriously.</p> +<p>“They’ve caught me!” ejaculated the old sailor, +and staggered up against Ben. At the same time +Boxer pitched headlong.</p> +<p>“Oh, Luke!” The call came from Larry, who +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span> +was limping painfully. “Where did they hit you? +This is the worst of all!”</p> +<p>“I’m struck in the shoulder. But come, Ben is +right. To the jungle!” And Striker clutched +Larry’s hand in a death-like grip, bound to live or +die with his closest friend, as the case might be.</p> +<p>The pair started forward. Ben hesitated and +looked at Boxer, and saw the latter try to stagger +up once more. “He’s not dead,” thought the young +captain, and picked the sharpshooter up. In a few +seconds more the whole party were in the jungle +again.</p> +<p>But the Filipinos were not going to let them escape +thus easily, and coming up on the double-quick, +a detachment began to search the bushes, at the +same time calling on the Americans to surrender +if they wanted to save their lives.</p> +<p>With Larry limping painfully, and both Luke +and Boxer groaning in spite of their efforts to keep +silent, the Americans looked about for some spot +which might prove a safe hiding-place. But the +ground here was level and the jungle rather spare, +and for those who were wounded to climb trees +was out of the question.</p> +<p>“We’ll have to make a stand, I’m afraid,” said +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span> +Ben, looking to his pistol to see if it was fully +loaded. “They are coming— Hark!”</p> +<p>The young captain broke off short, as a loud +shouting from the road interrupted him. Then +came a volley of musketry, followed by a steady +stream of shots.</p> +<p>“We’ve got them this time, boys!” came in a +ringing, English-speaking voice. “Forward, and +don’t let a man of them escape. On to San +Isidro!”</p> +<p>“Our troops!” cried Larry. “Oh, God be +praised that they are coming this way!”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes, our troops!” ejaculated Ben. “And +what is more, my regiment!” The revulsion of +feeling was so great that he felt like dancing a +jig.</p> +<p>The shouting and firing now increased, until it +was almost upon them. Then followed a rush +into the woods, and the little party found itself +face to face with a score of Filipinos.</p> +<p>At first our friends were greatly alarmed, and +Ben and Larry did their best to defend themselves +by firing as rapidly as possible at the Tagals +as they appeared. But the enemy was retreating, +and gave the little party scant attention. Then +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span> +came a yell close at hand, and in a few seconds +a squad of American soldiers burst through the +thicket.</p> +<p>“Dan Casey!” cried Ben, as he recognized the +Irish volunteer.</p> +<p>“Sure, an’ is it Captain Russell?” came from +the soldier, joyfully. “It is, the saints be praised! +We’ve been a-wonderin’ what had become of yez!”</p> +<p>“Town mit dem Filibinos!” The call came +from Carl Stummer, and soon he also put in an +appearance. “Dis vos von lucky tay,” he said, +when he saw the party. “Ve haf dem repels on +der run like neffer vos.”</p> +<p>“Then send them a-flying, Stummer,” answered +Ben. “Where is our camp?”</p> +<p>“Pack dere apout half a mile. Ve vos move +up las’ night und steal von march on dem Filibinos.”</p> +<p>There was no time to say more, excepting to +stop several of the soldiers, and assisted by these, +the whole party moved to the rear, through line +after line of American troops now hurrying to the +firing line, for it was General Lawton’s plan to +give the Filipinos no rest until San Isidro and +the territory in its vicinity were captured.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span></div> +<p>Inside of half an hour, Ben had seen to it that +Larry, Luke, and Boxer were all made comfortable, +and then, hastily swallowing a bowl of coffee and +some bread and meat, he hurried after his command, +which was threshing the jungle just outside +of San Isidro for scattered bands of the enemy +such as the young captain and his party had met. +Soon Ben was on the firing line once more, and +warmly greeted by Major Morris, Gilmore, and his +other friends.</p> +<p>The fighting was hot, for the rebels felt that if +San Isidro was taken, nothing would remain to +them but the mountains. They had constructed a +high embankment just outside of their capital, and +this they were defending vigorously, many of their +leading generals being at the front to direct the +movements.</p> +<p>But General Lawton was now in his element, +and feeling that his troops would do whatever he +asked of them, he began to spread out to the +right and the left, thus enfilading the trenches +behind the embankment, which presently became +so uncomfortable that the rebels had to leave them. +At the same time a centre column continued the +attack from the front—a centre column composed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span> +principally of Minnesota troops and the regiment +to which Ben belonged.</p> +<p>“They are leaving the trenches!” exclaimed +Major Morris, who was watching the progress of +the battle through a field-glass. “Forward, boys! +They are on the run again!”</p> +<p>A rattle of rifle-shots followed, and the battalion +carried the middle of the embankment with a +wild rush, planting Old Glory on the very top a +minute later. Then the regiment pushed on for +San Isidro proper. A hot skirmish was had on +the main street of the town; but the Filipinos had +had enough of it, and by nightfall were making +for the mountains as rapidly as their demoralized +condition would permit.</p> +<p>Señor Romano had told Ben where Benedicto +Lupez and his brother José had been stopping in +San Isidro, and as soon as the young captain +could get the opportunity he hurried around to +the place, which was a large private boarding-house.</p> +<p>“There is a man here by the name of Lupez, I +believe,” he said, as he presented himself, followed +by a detachment of half a dozen of his men.</p> +<p>The boarding-house keeper, who had just hung +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span> +out a white flag, eyed him suspiciously. “How +do you know that Señor Lupez is here?” he +questioned slowly.</p> +<p>“I know it, and I want to see him at once,” +returned Ben, sharply.</p> +<p>“He is—is not here—he—he went away this +morning,” came with much hesitation.</p> +<p>“Don’t ye believe him, captain,” put in Dan +Casey, who was in the detachment.</p> +<p>“I will search the house,” said Ben, quietly.</p> +<p>The keeper of the boarding-place protested, but +his protest was of no avail. The house was +searched from top to bottom, and in a back wing +they found Benedicto Lupez in bed, suffering from +a badly injured leg, the result of trying to ride a +half-broken horse which the insurgents had captured +from the Americans. He greeted the visitors +with a villanous scowl.</p> +<p>At first he tried to deny his identity, but the +Americans had been furnished with his photograph, +and a wart on his forehead proved a clew that +was conclusive. At once his effects were searched, +and under his pillow was found a leather bag +containing fifty thousand dollars in gold and in +American bank bills.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span></div> +<p>“This is the money you stole from Braxton +Bogg,” said Ben, severely. “You need not deny +it. Where is the rest?”</p> +<p>At first Benedicto Lupez refused to talk, but +with a long term in an American prison in Manila +staring him in the face, he confessed that just +previous to the fall of San Isidro, he had divided +what was left of the money with his brother +José, who had now left for parts unknown. This +confession was afterward proved to be true, and, +later on, Ben learned that with five thousand dollars +of the stolen funds José Lupez had purchased +himself a general’s commission in the insurgent +army.</p> +<p>“Well, I suppose we are lucky to get back the +fifty thousand dollars,” said Ben, when he was +telling Larry of how he had found Benedicto +Lupez. “A half-loaf is far better than no bread +at all, you know.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered the young sailor. “And who +knows but that we may run across this José +Lupez some day, and get the balance? Anyway, +the recovery of that fifty thousand dollars means +at least eight or ten thousand dollars in our +pockets, as well as something for Uncle Job. I’ll +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_313' name='page_313'></a>313</span> +wager uncle and Walter will be mighty glad to +get the good news we have to send them.” And +then he added enthusiastically, which was just +like Larry, “Hurrah, Ben, score one more victory +for Young America and Old Glory!”</p> +<hr class='tb' /> +<p>Here we must bring to a close the adventures +of Ben and Larry Russell previous to and during +“The Campaign of the Jungle” under gallant General +Lawton. The campaign had lasted three weeks, +and during that time the troops had covered about +a hundred and fifty miles of territory, fought +twenty-two battles, captured twenty-eight towns, +and destroyed large quantities of army stores, including +three hundred thousand bushels of rice. +The losses to the Americans had been about fifty +killed and wounded, while the losses to the Filipinos +were nearly ten times as great!</p> +<p>With the fall of San Isidro, General Aguinaldo +and his followers retreated to the mountains, twelve +miles to the north of that town. At the same +time the rebels who had been opposing General +MacArthur’s advance fell back to Tarlac, thirty +miles beyond San Fernando. But the Americans +had not sufficient troops at hand with which to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span> +garrison the many towns they had taken, and so +it was not long before some of the rebels came +back to one place and another, to take what they +could get, and to harass those natives who had been +friendly to our soldiers. In the meantime the +rainy season put a stop to further activity on a +large scale, and while the Filipinos sued again for +peace (but upon their own terms), General Otis +sent for additional troops, so that the next dry +season might see the rebellion brought to such a +finish that its resurrection would be an impossibility. +Many Americans pitied the sad condition of +the Tagalogs, but all felt that as matters were +now situated the supremacy of the United States +throughout the Philippines must be maintained. +Once the insurgents submitted to American authority, +we would do the very best we could by +them.</p> +<p>Shortly after the fall of San Isidro, General Lawton’s +command marched to join that of General +MacArthur. In the meantime Larry and his +wounded friends were removed to the hospital at +Manila, whither Gilbert Pennington had already +been taken, along with many others. Here the +sick were given every attention, and soon the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span> +majority of our friends were on a speedy road to +health.</p> +<p>Ben felt that there was no need to write to +Walter, as his brother would ere long be in the +Philippines, but he wrote to his Uncle Job, telling +about the capture of Benedicto Lupez, and adding +that the prisoner had been sent to join Braxton +Bogg, and that the recovered money was safe in +the United States bank at Manila, waiting to be +returned to Buffalo. He also told about Larry, +and added that since the <i>Olympia</i> had sailed away +without him, the young sailor was now going to +throw in his fortunes with the soldiers.</p> +<p>The letter brought great joy to Job Dowling, +and he immediately wrote back, stating how pleased +he was, and adding that he hoped Ben would catch +José Lupez and recover what was still missing.</p> +<p>“That is easier said than done,” said Ben to +Larry, as the pair read the letter together. “Still, +if this José Lupez is now a general in the rebel +army, we may meet some day.” Strange as it may +seem, that day was not far off, as will be related +in a sixth and concluding volume of this series, +in which we shall meet all the Russell boys, as well +as Gilbert, Luke, and many of our other friends +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_316' name='page_316'></a>316</span> +again, and see what each did toward carrying our +flag to a final and lasting victory in the Philippines.</p> +<p>But now let us leave Ben and Larry, and also +the others. All had done well and richly deserved +the rest that came to them. Many adventures were +still in store for them, but it is doubtful if any +were to be more thrilling than those encountered +during “The Campaign of the Jungle.”</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class='center'> +<p style='font-size:1.2em; margin-top:2em;'>THE OLD GLORY SERIES.</p> +<p style='font-size:1.1em;'>By EDWARD STRATEMEYER,</p> +<p><i>Author of “The Bound to Succeed Series,” “The Ship and Shore Series,” etc.</i></p> +<p style='margin:1em 0em'>Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25.</p> +</div> +<div style='margin-left:10%'> +<p>UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA Or the War Fortunes of a Castaway.</p> +<p>A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA Or Fighting for the Single Star.</p> +<p>FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS Or Under Schley on the Brooklyn.</p> +<p>UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES Or a Young Officer in the Tropics.</p> +<p>THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE Or Under Lawton through Luzon.</p> +</div> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p class='center'>PRESS NOTICES.</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“‘Under Dewey at Manila’ is a thoroughly timely book, in perfect sympathy with +the patriotism of the day. Its title is conducive to its perusing, and its reading to +anticipation. For the volume is but the first of the Old Glory Series, and the imprint +is that of the famed firm of Lee and Shepard, whose name has been for so many +years linked with the publications of Oliver Optic. As a matter of fact, the story is +right in line with the productions of that gifted and most fascinating of authors, and +certainly there is every cause for congratulation that the stirring events of our recent +war are not to lose their value for instruction through that valuable school which the +late William T. Adams made so individually distinctive.</p> +<p>“Edward Stratemeyer, who is the author of the present work, has proved an extraordinarily +apt scholar, and had the book appeared anonymously there could hardly +have failed of a unanimous opinion that a miracle had enabled the writer of the +famous Army and Navy and other series to resume his pen for the volume in hand. +Mr. Stratemeyer has acquired in a wonderfully successful degree the knack of writing +an interesting educational story which will appeal to the young people, and the +plan of his trio of books as outlined cannot fail to prove both interesting and valuable.”—<i>Boston +Ideas.</i></p> +<p>“Stratemeyer’s style suits the boys.”—<span class='smcap'>John Terhune</span>, <i>Supt. of Public Instruction, +Bergen Co., New Jersey</i>.</p> +<p>“‘The Young Volunteer in Cuba,’ the second of the Old Glory Series, is better +than the first; perhaps it traverses more familiar ground. Ben Russell, the brother +of Larry, who was ‘with Dewey,’ enlists with the volunteers and goes to Cuba, +where he shares in the abundance of adventure and has a chance to show his courage +and honesty and manliness, which win their reward. A good book for boys, giving +a good deal of information in a most attractive form.”—<i>Universalist Leader</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p class='center'><i>For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by</i></p> +<p class='center' style="font-size:1.2em;">LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers,<br /> +BOSTON.</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class='center'> +<p style='font-size:1.2em; margin-top:2em;'>THE SHIP AND SHORE SERIES</p> +<p style='font-size:1.1em;'>By EDWARD STRATEMEYER.</p> +<p style='margin:1em 0em'>Three Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00.</p> +<hr class='mini' /> +</div> +<div style='margin-left:10%'> +<p>THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE Or Luke Foster’s Strange Voyage.</p> +<p>REUBEN STONE’S DISCOVERY Or The Young Miller of Torrent Bend.</p> +<p>TRUE TO HIMSELF Or Roger Strong’s Struggle for Place.</p> +</div> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p class='center'>PRESS OPINIONS OF EDWARD STRATEMEYER’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG +PEOPLE.</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“Mr. Edward Stratemeyer is in danger of becoming very popular among the +young people of the country.”—<i>Burlington</i> (Iowa) <i>Hawk-eye</i>.</p> +<p>“‘The Last Cruise of the Spitfire’ is of deep interest to the bounding heart of an +enthusiastic boy. The book leaves a good impression on a boy’s mind, as it teaches +the triumph of noble deeds and true heroism.”—<i>Kansas City</i> (Mo.) <i>Times</i>.</p> +<p>“Let us mention in passing two admirable books for boys, ‘Reuben Stone’s Discovery’ +and ‘Oliver Bright’s Search,’ by Edward Stratemeyer, with whom we are +all acquainted. This last bit of his work is especially good, and the boy who gets +one of these volumes will become very popular among his fellows until the book is +worn threadbare.”—<i>N. Y. Herald.</i></p> +<p>“A good sea-tale for boys is ‘The Last Cruise of the Spitfire,’ by Edward Stratemeyer. +There is plenty of adventure in it, a shipwreck, a cruise on a raft, and other +stirring perils of the deep.”—<i>Detroit</i> (Mich.) <i>Journal</i>.</p> +<p>“In a simple, plain, straightforward manner, Mr. Edward Stratemeyer endeavors +to show his boy readers what persistency, honesty, and willingness to work have +accomplished for his young hero, and his moral is evident. Mr. Stratemeyer is very +earnest and sincere in his portraiture of young character beginning to shape itself to +weather against the future. A book of this sort is calculated to interest boys, to feed +their ambition with hope, and to indicate how they must fortify themselves against +the wiles of vice.”—<i>Boston Herald.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p class='center'><i>For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by</i></p> +<p class='center' style="font-size:1.2em;">LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers,<br /> +BOSTON.</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class="trnote"> +<p>Transcriber’s Note:</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'>Illustrations have been moved closer to their relevant paragraphs.</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'>The author’s archaic and variable spelling and hyphenation are preserved.</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'>The author’s punctuation style is preserved.</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'>Any missing page numbers in this HTML version refer to blank or un-numbered pages in the original.</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'>Typographical problems have been changed and these are +<ins class="trchange" title="Was 'hgihligthed'">highlighted</ins>.</p> +<p>Transcriber’s Changes:</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'><a href='#TC_1'>Page 13</a>: Was ’reconnoissance’ (General MacArthur made a <b>reconnaissance</b> in the direction of Calumpit)</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'><a href='#TC_2'>Page 42</a>: Changed single quote mark to double quote mark (“Get in front of me and take to the woods opposite, <b>Luke,”</b> was the hurried reply.)</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'><a href='#TC_3'>Page 46</a>: Changed single quote mark to double quote mark (“We must get out of the enemy’s territory before the sun <b>rises,”</b> said Larry.)</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'><a href='#TC_4'>Page 177</a>: Removed extra double quote mark (“<b>Silence!</b> Not another word until the lady has finished her story.”)</p> +<p style='margin-left:1.0em'><a href='#TC_5'>Page 212</a>: Was ’acount’ (for men were dropping out every day on <b>account</b> of fever and other tropical troubles.)</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 31317-h.txt or 31317-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/1/3/1/31317">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/3/1/31317</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> |