Edward Stratemeyer

“ Seeing that Si could go but a little further at the most, Walter strained his eyes to catch sight of some spot where they might hide. The ravine was widening out, and not far away was a jungle of tropical trees and heavy undergrowth. Thither he led the way.
"Let us lose ourselves in the jungle; it's our only chance," he whispered, and gripped Si by the arm to steady him. But the Yankee youth could no longer stand,—being still weak from his fishing adventure as well as from the way he had been handled by the Filipinos,—and he sank down in a state of utter collapse. ”

“ The struggle had lasted five minutes and Gilbert began to feel weak, for the guerilla had come down upon him with all force, nearly knocking the wind out of him. The breath of each came short and hard, for the struggle was now nearing an end, and Gilbert was beginning to fear that he was to come out second best.
"If I cannot use the sword, I can at least hurl you into the ravine!" panted Adoz, speaking again in his native tongue. So saying, he let go the handle of the blade and clutched Gilbert by the throat and the shoulder. "Die, you pig!" ”

“ I have a dear friend in Manila, and thought I would take them there for safe keeping. This man followed me from Biloguana to Malolos and from there to Antipolo. To-night I thought to escape to Manila, but he came after me, and I ran in here to hide."
Ben turned to Barnabas Moval. "You wear the uniform of a soldier. Why are you not with the army? Are you a spy?"
"No, no, capitan, I am no spy!" answered the man, in sudden fear. "'Tis true I followed this woman, for she has that which is mine. I am an honest soldier, attached to the command under General Adoz." ”

“ Si had gone down twice when the boat came within a furlong of him. Now his body turned and began to sink again. Walter saw the drawn, half-lifeless face, and the sight chilled him to the very soul. Like a flash he was overboard and swimming to his chum with all haste. But he could not reach him and had to dive.
"Foolish boy!" cried the officer in charge. "He'll be drowned, too. Cease rowing, men, or you'll run into one or the other of them." And the sailors lay to, watching for the reappearance of the pair.
As Si went down for a third time, Walter caught him by the foot. ”

“ As far as his eye could reach he saw nothing but hills and jungles, grassy plains and little mountain torrents. Not even an animal was visible, and even the birds seemed scarce. He was truly alone, utterly alone.
"I must follow him—I can't remain by myself," such was his next thought, and picking up the little provisions they had been carrying he tried to locate the uncertain trail. At that moment he felt he would rather be a prisoner among enemies than by himself.
Less than quarter of a mile was covered and he came to a halt. His strength was gone and he could go no farther. ”

“ As there was no use in hurrying back to the American lines, Ben and Gilbert, with the others, spent two days at Biloguana, much to the disgust of the natives generally. During this time they were entertained by Inez Garabella, who acted as if she could not do enough for them.
"She has an eye on you, Ben," said Gilbert, slyly. "Better beware."
"I am bullet proof, Gilbert," said the young captain, with a short laugh. " No Spanish beauty for me. An American girl will be good enough—if I ever think of getting married. ”

“ Looking toward the rocks, Ben made out a narrow opening and pointed thither with his hand. Both approached it with caution, each with his pistol cocked and held out for instant use. But, so far as they could see, there was no enemy near the opening, and they passed through without molestation. Beyond the rocks was more brushwood, leading to a typical Philippine jungle.
The young captain had managed to retain his coolness, but it was plain to be seen that his lieutenant was growing more uneasy every minute. The silence was oppressive, if not suggestive, and Gilmore drew a long breath. ”

“ But the path was uncertain, and before he knew it, Walter pitched headlong into a wet hole.
"Hullo, you're as bad as me," cried Si, and started to help Walter up, when he heard a savage cry, coming from the top of the ravine, on their left. Looking in the direction, he made out the dim forms of several men, evidently natives, for each flourished a war-club.
"The Filipinos!" burst out Walter, as he, too, saw the enemy. "Run, Si, run, before it is too late!" Hand in hand they sped down the side of the mountain stream, over rocks and through the brush. ”

“ They know more about it than I do." Walter Russell arose from the deck and stretched himself. "Joking aside, though, it is an awfully long-winded trip, isn't it?"
"Long?" returned Si Doring, a thin-nosed, bright-eyed young Yankee sailor. "I tell you, Walter, that don't half express it. It's wuss nor long, ten times over. To me it's about a year since we sailed from Honolulu, and five years since we left San Francisco. If we don't hurry up, by the time we reach the Philippines the war will be over, the back taps sounded, and everybody will have forgotten there was any fighting." ”

“ The sharpshooters were willing to conduct Ben to the rear, considering it a great feather in their cap to have captured an Americano capitan, but none of them wished to carry Gilmore.
"Shoot him where he lies," said two of the party, and one raised his rifle for that purpose.
"Don't, you inhuman brute!" protested Ben. "That is not war; it is murder!"
"Let him be as he is," said the leader of the sharpshooters. "If he lives, very well; if not, it will not matter. Come!" And he ordered Ben on, raising his rifle as he spoke. ”

“ As the sun mounted in the sky, Palmer broached the subject of returning to the scene of the fight.
"I'll sneak up like a cat," he said. "More than likely the rebels have moved on, and if that's so, I'll see if I can't find something to eat lying around." He was soon gone, taking the rifle Walter had captured with him. The wounded lad listened to his retreating footsteps, and then all became as silent as a
tomb. Half an hour went by,—to Walter it seemed half a day,—and still the silence continued. What if the sailor should lose his way or become captured, and so never come back? ”

“ The inner end of the line was around Si's hand, and in an instant the Yankee lad spun overboard and disappeared beneath the bosom of the ocean!
"Help!" cried Walter, leaping up. "Man overboard! Help!"
"What's that?" cried an officer standing near, and then as he took in the situation he called to another officer to stop the transport, which was done as speedily as possible.
Although startled, Walter kept his wits about him and looked around for a life-preserver. None was near at hand, and he had to run along the deck for a distance of twenty-five feet in order to obtain one. ”

“ The threat made the fisherman tremble from head to foot, and he sank on his knees and begged them, in his native tongue, not to murder him. The major had no such intention, but did not allow a muscle of his face to betray him. Instead, he placed the muzzle of the pistol to the Tagal's forehead.
"You must do as I say, or you will soon be a dead man. Come, take up the oars and lose no more time. Any treachery on your part means death to you."
So full of fear that he could scarcely hold the oars, the fisherman fell to rowing, and one of the soldiers helped him. ”

“ It was rumored in the village that the Americanos were about to massacre all the women and children, and a number of mothers fled to the jungle, taking their little ones with them. Long after, it came out that the rumor was started by a Filipino recruiting officer, who used this means as an inducement to get the male inhabitants to join the rebel army. Whether his ruse succeeded to any extent or not, is not known.
Sitting in the tree in the jungle, Ben heard the firing grow more and more distinct, and late in the afternoon heard the strange whining of a shell as it sped over the tree-tops. ”

“ And Gilmore gave another groan.
"Try standing up," whispered the young captain, sympathetically, and took hold of his companion's hand to assist him. Gilmore did try, but his pain was evidently intense, for with a shiver from head to foot he sank down again.
"I—can't make it, captain! Oh, what shall we do now?" and the speaker's face grew white.
"We'll do the best we can," returned Ben, trying to be cheerful, although he realized the gravity of the situation. It was hard enough for a man to take care of himself, let alone taking care of an injured comrade. ”

“ The prisoners were much amazed, but they understood, and remained quiet while he cut their bonds.
"Now arm yourselves if you can," went on the Yankee lad, in a voice filled with restrained excitement. "But don't wake the rebels up until I've cut loose some of your friends."
"All right, messmate," was the whispered reply from one of the men, and Si was now certain he was a sailor, for he wore a seaman's headgear, upon the band of which appeared the name Yorktown.
"I have the rifle," whispered Walter. "What shall I do next?" ”

“ Si, as sure as my name is Walter Russell we'll never reach Manila, and I'll never see Larry and Ben again!"
Inez Garabella listened to his ravings with interest. She could make out but little of what was said, but she understood the name Russell and smiled faintly.
"I was not mistaken," she told herself. "They are of the same name. They must be brothers, or cousins. Now I will surely do all I can for him."
She was indeed "a friend in need" and at a time when Walter needed such a friend greatly. The poor boy had the fever, and in addition his wound needed skilful medical attention. ”

“ As Adoz had not fired in return, the lieutenant felt certain that he had no second pistol, and now he urged his own steed forward with renewed vigor, bent upon taking his man alive if it could possibly be accomplished. The road was narrow and dangerous, and once he had to bend low over his horse's side, or a tree limb would have struck and probably killed him.
"He means to get away if he can," muttered Gilbert to himself, as the wild chase continued. ”

“ All the town is talking about your doings, and you'll get a right royal sendoff when you return—and I'm a-going to be at the head of the procession, too, and give you such a welcome as you never dreamed on. You are a credit to your country, and your uncle is proud of you."
"Hurrah for Uncle Job!" cried Larry, when he read the letter. "He isn't the crabbed old stick he used to be, but just the dearest old fellow ever was!" And Walter and Ben agreed with him. ”

“ Ben was very sorry to lose his old chum, but wished not only Gilbert but likewise the others the best of good luck.
"They are going to carry the stars and stripes into a strange quarter of the globe," said the young major. "I trust none of them get killed or seriously wounded."
"Trust Gilbert to take care of himself," replied Larry. "I never met a fellow so plucky before."
Ben had an errand to Uncle Sam's tailor while at Manila, for his old uniform was worn out, and he must be measured for a new one, as befitted a newly appointed major. ”

“ The Central continued to back, but when an attempt was made to bring her around, the wind struck her broadside so heavily that she nearly keeled over. The force of the elements had broken open the doors of the upper cabin, and the things flying through the air had smashed in a score of windows. The crashing of glass and the banging of furniture added to the confusion, and soldiers and jackies ran from one spot to another not knowing what to do. ”

“ Your soldiers are just as bad, and some of your wild men from your Western states are worse! No, no, do not deny it, for I have seen these things with my own eyes." The Filipino shook his fists in Ben's face. "Perhaps you are not like some of them, but oh, when I remember what I have seen it makes my blood boil, and I would go out and kill, kill, kill, every Americano!"
The passionate outburst lasted for several minutes, and toward the end Captain Relosus spoke so rapidly, and in Spanish, that Ben understood only a small portion of what was said. At last the rebel turned on him sharply. ”

“ A STIRRING ADVENTURE IN MANILA
"What do you suppose those thieves intend to do with the uniforms they stole?" said Larry, as he and Ben moved down a side street not far from the prison in which Benedicto Lupez was confined. "They can't sell them and they certainly won't dare to wear them."
"I think they'll dare to wear anything while in the Filipino encampments, Larry."
"But can they get through our lines with the goods?"
"I am afraid so. You know the pickets can't cover everything, on very dark nights, no matter how sharp they are." ”

“ The march of the regiment was a little to the east of the Manila-Dagupan railroad, over paddy fields and through low brush which had something of a familiar look to Ben, who had covered the territory before. At a small village on the bank of a creek, running parallel to the tracks, the soldiers turned off, with orders to take the town of Magalang, where the rebels had some strong intrenchments. It was hardly presumed that the Filipinos would offer any resistance, and when they opened a sudden fire, it came somewhat as a surprise.
"We are up against it once more!" ”

“ Ben's eyes were wide open for a sight of José Lupez, and before long he saw both José and Benedicto sneaking behind some trees, in an endeavor to get out of the encounter entirely.
"See, there they go!" cried the young major. "They are trying to escape. Come, Larry!" And away he sped, with Larry at his side and a dozen from the ranks following. A number of shots whistled around the Americans, and Ben was grazed in the side. Then our friends let drive several times in rapid succession, and Benedicto Lupez was seen to pitch over on his side. ”

“ At length a tall, thin woman with a rough, red scar on her face broke through the crowd, which readily parted to give her passage. "What is the trouble here?" she demanded, in a cold, quick voice, as if she was used to playing the mistress. ”